Have you ever tried offering catnip to your fluffy little joy or perhaps, have zero idea what catnip is? Don’t worry, we will walk you through it with a comprehensive explanation of what it is about, how it works, the benefits, and even give you a front seat at our extensive experimentation venture with cats by visiting several cat sanctuaries for the sole purpose of knowing how catnip truly helps our feline friends.
The truth is, there is not one single formula as to how one cat would react to it. One cat may roll on the floor like it just discovered something to grapple and play with. One may sniff politely or even walk away like ‘No, this isn’t something I’m interested in’. Some cats might just rub their face once and go back to it in a few days without giving it full attention. Another might go crazy over it and release all the energy it has.
Over the years, catnip has become almost synonymous to play. We noticed first hand how much it matters. While the reaction remains unpredictable, catnip can be highly beneficial for cats. How so?
What is Catnip?
Catnip is a leafy green herb that belongs to the mint family. The plant contains a natural compound that interacts with a cat’s sense of smell rather than taste. It is like a switch on button for cats the moment they sniff it, it can trigger a temporary behavioral response.
This response often looks like excitement, rolling, surprise, rubbing, playful aggression, or a sudden burst of energy. But for other cats, it may not feel like heightened energy and more like a calm focus or nothing at all.
How Catnip Works on Cats
Catnip works through scent receptors in a cat’s nose and sends signals to areas of the brain associated with behavior and emotions. Part of what we observed was the reaction might feel intense but only temporary. Many of you would probably wonder ‘Well, how long will my cat go crazy over it?’, the answer is just for a brief moment. Most cats respond somewhere from five to fifteen minutes and lose interest entirely for a while.
It wears off naturally and to reassure you, catnip does not build dependence. You may feel relieved to know that this doesn’t cause your cats to crave more and more after they get introduced to catnip.
What are the Benefits of Catnip?
Catnip is not a necessity like food or water, but it offers benefits to many cats. One example is when a cat has to stay indoors due to valid reasons where energy release might be scarce. Catnip toys give them a safe way to release stored energy and play with intention. They can engage their senses in such a way that feels natural rather than forced.
It can also support emotional balance as much as physical play. Some cats might become more playful, or perhaps, calmer. Both responses are valid but one thing is guaranteed, the cat is provided with an option for energy release or calmness.
This sense of control is significant to animals who cannot always have the freedom to go out to wander and play or discover things on their own, again, due to extremely valid reasons like weather conditions, protection from outdoor risks and dangers, traffic, aggressive animals, toxins and parasites exposure, possible injuries, unnecessary stress, and people who may not treat them kindly. The list goes on. We all want them safe all the time and keeping them indoors is the safest option for many cat owners.
This is where catnip takes play. Yes! Play! They can choose to engage or disengage. The catnip toy will quietly bridge the gap of indoor life and exploration. When used thoughtfully, catnip becomes less about stimulation and becomes a part of their enrichment activity. For cat parents, this is ideal and a huge help for their feline family.
Do All Cats Like or Respond to Catnip?
The simplest answer here is no and you probably already know that because just like us humans, we respond differently to a particular thing. In the feline world, they too have differences and scientifically, their sensitivity to catnip can be inherited and another factor that we must consider is age. It plays a significant role in their reaction to catnip.
Roughly two thirds of cats would respond, while others do not, but this isn’t a flaw. Kittens may show little to no reaction especially those under six months of age.
Why Kittens Often Do Not Respond to Catnip
It may be a bit confusing for some cat parents when they see their kittens show no interest in a catnip toy. There is no problem with your kittens because when they’re born, their sensory systems are still developing and their neural pathways are not yet fully formed. This is exactly the reason kittens seem oblivious to the catnip toy in front of them.
Since catnip works by switching on the scent receptors of a cat and signaling the brain to interpret it, kittens just don’t have this sensory sensitivity yet.
If your cat or kitten totally ignores the catnip, it doesn’t mean the toy is deficient or your cat is acting unusual. It only means that their brain does not interpret the scent as it is supposed to be interpreted and again, it is not a flaw.
This is why an alternative is being offered for cats that don’t respond to catnip. Have you heard of the silvervine? It has become more and more popular among cat parents these days.
Different Types of Catnip and Catnip Alternatives
Traditional catnip comes in several forms. The most common and easiest to store is the dried catnip. Fresh catnip on the other hand has a stronger scent but they usually do not last long. Of course, we also have organic catnip which appeals to cat parents who are concerned about purity and sourcing.
Meanwhile, silvervine is an entirely different plant that is native to parts of Asia. There are silvervine sticks for cats being sold today and based on our observations, cats who do not react to catnip usually react to silvervine. While the sticks are obviously meant for chewing, there is also a powdered version of silvervine and is often mixed with chew toys.
To ensure a reaction, some products mix or combine silvervine and catnip to increase engagement chances among different cats and different ages. It is absolutely safe to mix.
What We Learned and Observed In Our Extensive Research & Experimentation with Catnip
We ventured through the very nature of catnip and we wanted to make sure that more cat parents will understand what it is, how it works, and its benefits. Alongside our passion to offer our feline friends a toy that they can enjoy, we visited several cat sanctuaries and observed closely how they reacted to catnip.
Over time, we introduced different catnip blends in controlled, low stress settings. It was a very engaging and interesting journey for us and we observed how different cats with different sizes and temperaments reacted to it.
Others approached slowly. Some immediately took interest and engaged. Some were totally unbothered and completely ignored the toy. But there were cats who seemed to react strongly to a particular blend and express no interest in the other blends.
It piqued our interest, so we tried to do a home observation among stray cats. We planted catnip outside our home and observed. These cats were not guided and this setting became an opportunity for us to understand more how cats would interact to catnip given this uncontrolled setting.
Some rubbed, some chewed, some returned several times, but others never tried it.
It became clear to us that there is more to the way they react to catnip. The shape, fabric, and durability of the toy are just as important as the catnip itself. Our observation over time gave us an immense understanding of what we must do to level up the toy.
Materials Matter in Catnip Toys
When people search for the best catnip toys, they often focus on the appearance or if they have a strong scent. However, little do cat parents know that materials matter to cats too. The texture, the quality, and the overall makeup of the toy definitely play a huge role.
Here’s what you must consider when buying a catnip toy for your cats. A well-made cat kicker toy allows cats to wrestle, bunny kick, and bite without easily breaking the toy apart. Fabric texture affects how long a cat stays interested and we have done many observations in this area. We made sure ours has dense stuffing because this helps distribute scent evenly over time.
Cats do care about how the catnip toy feels and moves. Some might prefer a longer kicker toy, while some might prefer a catnip toy ball.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is it safe for my cat?
A: In moderation, yes. It is safe for adult cats and is also non-toxic and non-addictive. It also helps provide mental stimulation and stress relief for your cat making it a safe and fun toy for them to enjoy. But, make sure not to give your younger cats the catnip toy until they are older.
Q: How often must I give my cats their catnip toys?
A: A few times a week is enough to help them release their stored energy or feel calmer.
Q: Is silvervine stronger than catnip or is it safe to combine?
A: For other cats, silvervine is indeed stronger than catnip, especially those cats that find catnip not as interesting. It can be combined and some toys actually are blended with catnip and silvervine to ensure response, however, just like anything, moderation is the key and it is better not to experiment by increasing the amount without proper knowledge and experience.
Q: Why does my cat react to it at first and completely ignore it the next day?
A: It might be because of the weakened potency of the catnip. It can also be, and this is more likely, because cats build short term tolerance. This is very normal and only temporary.
Q: Why is my cat aggressive with the catnip toy?
A: This is called playful biting or kicking. It is usually an expression of your cat’s excitement and nothing to be worried about. Your cat is not being aggressive for no reason or in a wild scary way. It is just redirecting its playful energy to the toy for release.
Q: Is catnip going to change the behavior of my cat permanently?
A: We’re here to reassure you, no! Your cat is not gonna have a behavioral problem with catnip or silvervine and it won’t significantly affect your cat’s mood that can lead to the alteration of its attitude.
Q: Is there a difference between catnip inside toys versus loose catnip?
A: Yes! There is a huge difference. Loose catnip easily loses potency (despite it being stronger) and they don’t last very long. Meanwhile, with catnip inside toys, the scent release is more controlled and it offers a longer experience for the cat. Light, air, or heat can instantly reduce catnip’s strength. The stuffing also prevents overexposure and a wonderful texture for kicking and nipping.
Q: Can multiple cats share one catnip toy?
A: It may vary. Some cats might be more possessive of their own toy and not share with others, especially when overstimulated.
Q: How about senior cats? Can they still use this?
A: Yes, absolutely! It actually helps encourage gentle movement and mental engagement when used thoughtfully.
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