Buzz
Your feline friend may recognize it as Catnip or Catmint. But scientifically, it's known as Nepeta cataria, belonging to the Nepeta genus, named after Nepete, the Italian town where catnip was first cultivated.
When a cat gets a whiff of catnip, it typically licks, chews, rubs, rolls on it, and even meows or drools. This response usually lasts between 5 to 15 minutes, after which the cat loses interest and requires a 'reset' time of about two hours before they can react again. Interestingly, not every cat is affected by catnip. The response is hereditary, with around 70 to 80 percent of cats showing the typical behavior. However, kittens under six months and very elderly cats are less likely to react.
What makes this plant so irresistible to your cat? The answer lies in nepetalactone, a volatile oil found in small bulbs on the plant's leaves, stems, and seedpods. When inhaled, nepetalactone binds to olfactory receptors in the nasal tissues, stimulating sensory neurons and sending signals to the brain. While we still don't have a full understanding of the neurological mechanisms, the leading theory is that nepetalactone mimics a feline pheromone.
Is catnip just for entertaining our pets, or does it serve other purposes?
Research dating back to the early 1960s revealed that nepetalactone, when consumed by insects that nibbled on the plant, helped keep them away. Further studies showed that catnip oil worked as effectively as 10 times the amount of DEET, leading to the creation of several 'natural' insect repellents featuring nepetalactone.
Catnip also has a gentle soothing effect on humans, and traditional remedies recommend it for treating conditions like migraines, indigestion, insomnia, colic, and even toothaches.
