Benefits of Catnip for Cats:
1.Stimulates Playfulness:
Exercise: Encourages physical activity, helping to keep cats active and prevent obesity.
2.Stress Relief:
Calming Effects: For some cats, catnip can have a calming effect. After an initial period of excitement, many cats enter a relaxed, mellow state.
3.Training Tool:
Positive Reinforcement: Catnip can be used to encourage cats to use scratching posts or new bedding, rather than undesirable areas like furniture.
4.Mental Stimulation:
Cognitive Engagement: Provides mental stimulation, which is essential for a cat’s overall well-being. This can be especially important for older cats or those that live in environments with limited stimulation.
5.Natural and Safe:
Non-Toxic: Catnip is a natural herb and is safe for cats to interact with. It is non-addictive and cats will typically self-regulate their exposure to it.
Our Catnip Benefits.
How Does It Affect Your Cat?
Many experts believe that this chemical (nepetalactone) acts as a feline attractant and triggers the response. Once your cat smells the catnip, they may begin to rub, kick, chew, and roll in it to help release the oil trapped in the plant's leaves. When it enters a cat's nose, it binds to receptors on the sensory neurons lining the nasal cavity, which, in turn, activate different areas of the brain that control emotion and behavior. The effects of catnip are short-lived and usually last 10 to 15 minutes. The dose of catnip and how your cat consumes it will result in different responses: The more your cat eats or inhales it, the stronger the effect.
Cats commonly react to catnip by sniffing, licking, eating, rolling, and rubbing their cheeks on it. Some other responses include stretching, drooling, jumping, and hyperactivity while others may become mellow.
How to Use It at Home?
Catnip is commonly used to encourage cats to explore and play, but it can also be used as a training aid. Place a small amount of catnip on your cat's scratching post to encourage scratching, or in their carrier to encourage them to enter, thereby creating a positive association. Catnip can be used in veterinary clinics, shelters, and foster homes in addition to a cat's own home to help lower stress levels. Catnip is non-toxic to cats.Keep your cat happy and interested in their toys by rotating them: offer some toys as available and hide the rest in a ziplock bag or jar and marinate them in catnip.
