What are the effects of catnip?
There are many plausible theories to explain the global appeal of cats , including our obsession with watching videos of them online. However, in terms of feline entertainment value, our fascination likely stems from their seemingly endless repertoire of bizarre behaviors.
Whether it's the possibility of "trapping" your cat by simply drawing a square around it or the cats that seem to panic when presented with a cucumber, our feline companions are as entertaining as they are perplexing.
When it comes to their seemingly strange reactions to things, their response to an unassuming plant belonging to the mint family is no exception.
Nepeta cataria , or catnip , is a plant native to parts of Europe and Asia, well-known for its ability to attract (and provoke) domestic cats and several other (undomesticated) felines , including lions, leopards, and jaguars. Reactions to catnip typically include sniffing, licking, biting, rubbing, or rolling on the plant, shaking the head, drooling, vocalizing, and even kicking with hind paws.
The kryptonite-like properties of catnip, also known as catmint, are due to a specific chemical compound called nepalactalone , which the plant naturally releases when its leaves or stem are dry. This chemical compound binds to protein receptors in the cat's nose, which then stimulate sensory neurons, leading to changes in brain activity.
These psychotropic effects typically last between five and fifteen minutes, although some cats react more intensely and for longer than others. Interestingly, the ability to react to dried catnip appears to be hereditary, with one in three adult cats seemingly immune to its effects.
However, other scientists claim that all cats can have the ability to react to catnip , but that some are active responders and others more passive, with differences in the intensity of reactions being influenced by their age, sex, and neuter status.
Is catnip a drug for cats?
Many adult cats are certainly very attracted to dried catnip and actively seek it out in their environment. For these reasons, catnip is often used (in its dried form) to encourage cats to use their scratching posts—rather than the arm of our expensive new sofa. It is also commonly placed in cat toys or planted in gardens as a source of enrichment for cats.
However, a recent study indicates that exposing cats to nepalactalone leads to an increase in a peptide hormone associated with pleasure. This suggests that catnip may have quite potent feel-good properties for cats.
Interestingly, the authors also found that cats covered in nepalactalone were less likely to be bothered by mosquitoes. This provides a plausible evolutionary explanation for cats' innate attraction to (and reaction to) this plant—covering themselves in catnip could provide a sense of well-being, but also help keep these pesky insects at bay.
Is it dangerous to give catnip to your cat?
While catnip has been shown to have pleasant side effects, not everything we like—or at least find appealing—is necessarily good for us. The heightened arousal and altered state of consciousness that likely occur in active individuals are not always welcome.
In situations where cats feel anxious, uncertain, or out of control, they tend to seek out sources of security rather than stimulation. In these circumstances, the last thing cats likely want is to take some kind of hallucinogenic trip.
While it might be amusing for us to watch their antics under the influence of catnip , we must ask ourselves if we are doing so in the cats' best interest or simply for our own entertainment. We should also avoid disturbing or attempting to pet cats under the influence of this dried herb .
If we want to give catnip to our cats , it is best to place it in a quiet place, away from their favorite areas in the house - avoid places where they usually eat and sleep - and let them decide if they want to have some, at their own pace.
Good to know: kittens under 3 months old are not receptive to this herb. Therefore, it's pointless to offer it to them at this age.
Are there any alternatives to catnip?
Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell . Certain scents, such as catnip, can have many effects on cats, including helping them adapt to their environment and interact socially.
You've heard of catnip, but what if your cat doesn't really react to it? There are other solutions: plants such as silver vine , honeysuckle and valerian have all been used to satisfy feline sense of smell .
Surprisingly, silver vine is the most effective of these plants, as more cats react to its scent than to catnip itself. Also known as Matatabi or Japanese catnip .
Let's discover together what Matatabi is, the effect it has on cats, how it compares to catnip, and how to give silver vine to your cat.
What is Matatabi?
The natural silver vine , also known as Actinidia polygama , is native to the mountainous regions of China, Japan, and Russia. It is a member of the kiwi family (Actinidiaceae) and gets its name from the silvery-white markings on its leaves.
The natural Matatabi produces white, cup-shaped flowers. While most plants are monoecious, meaning their flowers have both male and female structures, the silver vine is dioecious, meaning each individual plant is either male or female. This means you will need both a male and a female plant for it to produce fruit.
This silver vine, Matatabi, produces orange, egg-shaped fruits. These edible fruits typically appear in October and November. The fruits of the silver vine contain up to five times the amount of vitamin C as blackcurrants.
In humans, dried silver vine is considered a medicinal plant and is sometimes used in alternative medicine preparations. In large quantities, its leaves have a mild hallucinogenic effect.
What does silver vine do to cats?
Domestic cats need a variety of stimuli to stay happy. Silver vine produces a euphoric effect on cats, similar to that of catnip .
The effects begin immediately after contact with silver vine and last only 30 minutes. Typical cat behaviors associated with the scent of silver vine include sedation, hyperactivity, rolling, and licking.
The use of silver vine for cats is common in some Asian countries, and the cat's reaction to this plant is known as the "matatabi dance." Matatabi literally means "travel again" in Japanese and is also a nickname for silver vine, as it causes some cats to wriggle on the floor.
According to research conducted at Harvard University, one of the active ingredients in silver vine, nepetalactol , activates the reward and pleasure center in the brains of cats. This phenomenon is comparable to the opioid system's response to morphine in humans. However, silver vine is not addictive in cats.
Researchers also found that cats that rub against this plant also benefit from a natural insect repellent.
What is the difference between catnip and matatabi?
In a 2017 study, nearly 80% of cats reacted to silver vine, compared to 68% who reacted to catnip . Approximately 75% of cats who did not react to catnip did react to silver vine.
Exceptions to this rule are kittens under 8 months old and pregnant females. Cats in these groups will likely not react to the Matatabi silver vine , or they will have a less pronounced reaction. The reason for this reaction is unclear.
Plants like catnip and silver vine produce allomones, which trigger a reaction through smell rather than ingestion. In catnip, the active ingredient is a compound known as nepetalactone . In contrast, silver vine contains six active ingredients similar to nepetalactone, as well as two other active ingredients to which your cat will react: actinidin and dihydroactinidiolide.
What are the dangers of Matatabi for cats?
The powder made from the fruit of the silver vine will produce the best results because it is the most potent formulation. Silver vine sticks are helpful for removing tartar from a cat's teeth due to the chewing action. Supervise your cat when giving them silver vine sticks , as fragments and small pieces can break off and pose a choking hazard or cause an obstruction if your cat is unable to pass them.
Can cats eat Matatabi?
The short answer is yes. There are various formulations of silver vine available for feline consumption , such as sticks, gall fruits (powdered or whole), sprays, and powders made from various parts of the plant, such as leaves and Matatabi fruit pieces.
The gall fruit, the most potent form, is the result of flies laying their eggs in the fruit of the silver vine. The fly eggs and larvae cause the fruit to form galls, which are lumps containing a higher concentration of active compounds. To make the fruit safe for consumption, it is dipped in boiling water and sun-dried. The finished product can be given to your cat as is or ground into Matatabi powder .
Silver vine is a wonderful addition to your cat's routine. As with any new treat or supplement, consult your veterinarian before giving silver vine to your cat to ensure it's a safe and acceptable option.
What is fresh catnip?
The term catnip is more generic, but it's mainly used commercially to refer to plants (for example, young shoots of barley, wheat, oats, or rye) given to cats to cleanse their stomachs by inducing regurgitation . It's the best way for our feline friend to regurgitate the fur ingested during grooming.
Although your cat is a carnivore, it needs vegetables both for their vitamins and because they help regulate its digestion . Indeed, through grooming, cats ingest a significant amount of fur that accumulates in their stomach. Vegetable fibers will surround these hairballs and facilitate their regurgitation through vomiting .
Giving your pet fresh cat grass will prevent them from nibbling on your houseplants, which can be toxic. It's therefore always a good idea to grow cat grass indoors, especially if your cat can't go outside.
What are the benefits of fresh catnip?
Fresh cat grass offers several health benefits for your cat, including:
- Adding fiber to their diet helps regulate fecal motility.
- Relieves constipation by acting as a laxative.
- Encourage your cat to vomit , which can help if it eats something that is causing digestive problems.
- Provides vitamins, such as folic acid
- Offer your feline a healthy alternative to potentially toxic plants.
Catnip , combined with toys, is a truly enriching experience for the vast majority of cats, especially indoor cats who may lack stimulation. Providing them with these products not only promotes their well-being but also helps them maintain (or regain) their energy levels. So why not give them a treat?
And you, have you ever tried these magic herbs ?
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