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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.




Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip?
#7469188 - 09/30/07 06:09 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Why-Do-Cats-Go-Crazy-For-Catnip-/311986
We’ve all heard of Catnip, but what actually is it? Well the Latin name for it is Nepeta cataria and it is simply a type of herb which is related to the mint family. However it is important to note that it is not the same plant as Catmint even though the two do have similar physical characteristics. However it is the Catnip plants which produces the strange euphoric reaction in some cats and which is completely safe to give to your cat on a regular basis. In fact after the experience cats show no ill effects at all and are completely back to normal within minutes.
However it is interesting to note that not all cats are affected by the herb. It appears that a cat is either born a catnip addict of not, the sensitivity being inherited from its parents. So where you may have a cat that goes absolutely crazy for Catnip others will show no interest in it at all. Whether you have Catnip crazy cat will not be evident until after the age of three months of age where all kittens are completely indifferent to the herb.
It is easy to spot whether or not you have a catnip sensitive cat or not as the signs can be quite dramatic. Once the cat is introduced to Catnip they will begin by sniffing at it. This sniffing will become more and more frantic until they start to lick and then eat the plant. They will then begin to rub their head and body against the plant and possibly start to foam at the mouth. Rolling around on the ground and emitting loud purrs and growls are also quite common. The cat will look like it is completely out of it and may even display quite uncharacteristic behaviour like leaping around and even becoming aggressive towards other animals. All of this behaviour is quite normal and will vary from cat to cat but one is for certain the cat certainly looks like it is enjoying them selves. The whole experience may last for 10 minutes or so, after which the cat is back to their normal self.
Even big cats like lions and tigers are reported to also react to catnip and both male and female cats react the same way to it. The general consensus is that the experience for the cat is similar to marihuana or LSD, but without all the nasty side effects. Cats will also self regulate themselves as to when they have had enough of the experience, so if you do have Catnip growing in your garden it is unlikely that you will find your cat in a permanent state of ecstasy.
Growing Catnip is quite easy and is normally available from garden centres. It likes to grow in light sandy soils in the full sun. It is worth noting that the Valerian plant also affects some cats in the same way and so this might be another plant worth considering fro your cat friendly garden.
Of course if you are not able to grow your own catnip it is also available in many cat toys or as dried leaves, which you can use to keep your cat amused inside.
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oops, forgot to post the url.
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Edited by Bridgeburner (09/30/07 07:35 AM)
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DrOli
Biochemist
Registered: 08/27/07
Posts: 216
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Bridgeburner] 1
#7469218 - 09/30/07 06:40 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Title is misleading.
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Mandark


Registered: 11/15/06
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Loc: Poland
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: DrOli]
#7469288 - 09/30/07 07:25 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Where does this text come from?
-------------------- "One might ask why tobacco is legal and marijuana not. A possible answer is suggested by the nature of the crop. Marijuana can be grown almost anywhere, with little difficulty. It might not be easily marketable by major corporations. Tobacco is quite another story." - Noam Chomsky
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: DrOli]
#7469299 - 09/30/07 07:31 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Still an interesting article. I didn't know that lions and tigers were affected by catnip too.
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kidaihuan
First Growery Ban



Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 3,173
Loc: Shanghai, China
Last seen: 13 years, 3 months
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#7469486 - 09/30/07 08:37 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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I want to quote what they said and highlight some of it. ________________________ This sniffing will become more and more frantic until they start to lick and then eat the plant. They will then begin to rub their head and body against the plant and possibly start to foam at the mouth. Rolling around on the ground and emitting loud purrs and growls are also quite common. The cat will look like it is completely out of it and may even display quite uncharacteristic behaviour like leaping around and even becoming aggressive towards other animals. All of this behaviour is quite normal and will vary from cat to cat but one is for certain the cat certainly looks like it is enjoying them selves. The whole experience may last for 10 minutes or so, after which the cat is back to their normal self.
Even big cats like lions and tigers are reported to also react to catnip and both male and female cats react the same way to it. The general consensus is that the experience for the cat is similar to marihuana or LSD, but without all the nasty side effects. Cats will also self regulate themselves as to when they have had enough of the experience, so if you do have Catnip growing in your garden it is unlikely that you will find your cat in a permanent state of ecstasy.
Edited by kidaihuan (09/30/07 08:40 AM)
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Eraserhead
Lost Soul



Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 1,363
Loc: Earth
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#7469939 - 09/30/07 10:59 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
The general consensus is that the experience for the cat is similar to marihuana or LSD, but without all the nasty side effects.
The general consensus is that the experience for the cat is similar to marihuana or LSD, but without the government condemning you to prison for possessing it.
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wireless
Thizziswhatis


Registered: 11/06/06
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Eraserhead]
#7470760 - 09/30/07 03:03 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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So cat nip is in the mint family? Isn't salivia divinorum (sp) in the mint family as well? Any possible connection between the two. I honestly have no idea since the title is very misleading and I thought it would give a more sciency explanation of the alkaloid or whatever in catnip that effects cats.
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PhanTomCat
Teh Cat....



Registered: 09/07/04
Posts: 5,908
Loc: My Youniverse....
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: wireless]
#7471234 - 09/30/07 05:30 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
wireless said: I thought it would give a more sciency explanation of the alkaloid or whatever in catnip that effects cats.
I thought so too.... I have settled with the fact that we were born addicts....
>^;;^<
-------------------- I'll be your midnight French Fry.... "The most important things in life that are often ignored, are the things that one cannot see...." >^;;^<
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Myciko
Stranger
Registered: 05/10/18
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#25256958 - 06/08/18 09:09 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Catnip does not have any effect on my cat. No effect on toys sprayed with it, doesn't chew it, doesn't spend time on objects sprayed with it, no ecstasy whatsoever. Never tried to force-feed it tho.
However,I've goggled it and some people say the cat must be an adult for catnip to have any effect, others say it depends on the cat. I've seen videos on cats high on catnip, but my cat just ignores it. Might be different genre of catnip. Also it might be an acquired taste. I'll see in a year when she's all grown up.
She does go crazy and cuddly after eating a few chemically perfumed chicken or fish cat reward treats (wet ones in a stick) - not the most healthy reward, but the only one she accepts. She's picky eater. I desperately need low kcal food for rewards to prolong her training sessions, or she's going to get fat and lazy.
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Amanita86
OTD Keymaster


Registered: 09/26/12
Posts: 89,464
Loc: hades
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Myciko]
#25256992 - 06/08/18 09:28 PM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Some cats are immune.
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Orange clock, pencil "They threw me off the hay truck about noon..."
*Mark 15:34  Gam zeh ya’avor...
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Yesum
Furry as Fuc



Registered: 11/05/12
Posts: 13,124
Loc: Central Part of Town
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Re: Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip? [Re: Amanita86]
#25290580 - 06/25/18 08:28 AM (5 years, 7 months ago) |
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Try silvervine. Cats that's aren't reactive to regular strains of catnip are usually more reactive to it. And you can find it here.
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/24759858
I've purchased it from BD a few different times. I've tried all them blends. And there is a noticable difference from what I've seen. All my cats are reactive to catnip. But they literally preffer and go absolutely bonkers for the sivervine/valerian root mix.
He's a a+++ trader too. Have fun and good luck getting your kitty high

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Edited by Yesum (06/25/18 08:35 AM)
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