Hello, I’m Dr. Karyn! Learn my introduction to study extra about me and meet my 5 hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.
With 5 cats ruling my home, I’ve little or no doubt about my function. Well timed provision of meals, water, and leisure is anticipated, however there are occasions that I really feel a little bit bit like their vendor, with catnip being their drug of alternative.
Statistically, solely round 60% of cats reply to the intoxicating results of catnip, and that determine is mirrored in my family, with Alex, Cyril, and Zelda being each drawn to and affected by catnip; Clutch and Zazzles have little interest in the stuff. Zelda, particularly, will begin meowing aggressively if it’s been a number of days since her final ‘repair’, and the sound of opening the catnip tub is met with equal, if not better, enthusiasm than the sound of the meals container.
Lately, I used to be tasked with making some do-it-yourself cat toys, and the catnip crew have been solely too blissful to assist check them out.
However as I watch the wide-eyed antics of my intoxicated felines, I can’t assist questioning – am I enabling an habit?
The Ins and Outs of Catnip
Catnip, additionally recognized by its scientific title, Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint household. These vegetation produce the chemical nepetalactone which repels bugs, however appeals to lots of the feline persuasion. This chemical works its manner into your cat’s pleasure heart by means of a very delicate olfactory organ situated within the roof of their mouth, referred to as the vomeronasal organ (VMO for brief). Should you’ve ever seen your cat pulling a comical grimace when they’re sniffing one thing, that is referred to as the Flehmen response – or as we used to name it in my home, “pungent face” – whereby they draw scents and pheromones into the VMO. From right here, your cat can glean an absolute mass of details about the world round them.
One of many extra essential items of data processed by the VMO is to do with intercourse, just like the presence of competitors or the receptiveness of females. So the messages reaching your cat’s mind look like much like arousal, which actually explains the blissful response! It’s only a disgrace that solely 60% of the cat inhabitants will get to get pleasure from it.
Can Cats OD on Catnip?
The catnip plant is just not poisonous to cats, but when they ingest an enormous quantity they might develop some disagreeable gastrointestinal unwanted side effects. I’ve by no means seen this in my cats.
I often bulk purchase my catnip in a 1-ounce tub, which could not sound like a lot, however is the equal of 3-4 herb jars, and it often lasts for a number of months…except the cats handle to interrupt into the container.
To date, the one draw back my cats have skilled to this deal with is a few occasional eye irritation, a consequence of rubbing their face too aggressively towards the carpet!
Am I Enabling Addicts?
I don’t suppose so. Though their ears prick up once I open the drawer containing this intoxicating deal with, and the opening of the bathtub brings 60% of my cats to swarm excitedly round my toes, they don’t spend the remainder of their time searching for extra, in a determined seek for their subsequent ‘repair’. Though Zelda does get a tad demanding if she feels it’s been too lengthy since her final dose, she is just not utterly consumed by her want for the ‘nip.
And if I can present some additional amusement and enrichment of their lives, I’m completely going to do it. I simply want there was a manner for Clutch and Zazzles to expertise the identical bliss I see in Zelda, Alex, and Cyril’s glassy, dilated pupils!
