Catnip. It's the magical herb that sends cats into a frenzied state of play. As soon as they get a whiff of it, they start rolling around, pawing at the air, and generally acting crazy. Cat owners know that catnip is one of the best tools for getting their feline friends active and engaged in play. But have you ever wondered exactly why catnip has such a profound effect on cats? Keep reading to learn all about the science behind catnip and why cats can't get enough of it.
What is Catnip?
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to southern and eastern Europe but has been naturalized around the globe. The plant features small white or lavender flowers and scalloped, heart-shaped leaves that give off a minty, lemony aroma. While humans can smell the scent of catnip, only domestic cats and other felines react to it in an extreme way.
Catnip contains an essential oil called nepetalactone that is the true source of cats' obsession. When cats inhale nepetalactone, it binds to receptors in their noses and stimulates a response from their brains. But why does this one plant affect cats so strongly? The secret lies in cats' evolutionary past.
A Cat Attractant in the Wild
In the wild, catnip belongs to the class of plants known as “attractants.” Attractants are plants that induce a behavioral response in certain animals for a specific evolutionary purpose. For example, some plants produce seeds that attract ants, relying on the ants to eat and disperse the seeds. In the case of catnip, researchers believe the plant evolved to attract big cats like lions and tigers.
These large felines would roll around in and eat catnip, thereby spreading its seeds. But domestic house cats still retain this evolutionary response. Catnip likely provided a survival advantage to wild cats by stimulating them to eat, play, and roll around near the plant, thereby encountering its seeds. This behavior served the purpose of spreading catnip far and wide.
Catnip’s Chemical Draw
The magic of catnip all comes down to its active ingredient, nepetalactone. Nepetalactone is an essential oil, meaning a volatile compound that evaporates easily and carries scent. Specifically, it is an iridoid monoterpene, part of the same class of chemicals as insect pheromones. When cats get close to catnip, the nepetalactone vapors enter the nasal cavity and stimulate sensory cells located at the top of the nasal passage.
These cells trigger neurons that carry signals to two important regions of the cat brain: the olfactory bulb, which processes scents, and the amygdala, which controls emotion and motivation. The direct pathway to the amygdala likely causes the emotional “high” cats feel when exposed to catnip. Furthermore, studies show that nepetalactone binds directly to feline pheromone receptors.
Pheromones are chemical signals that trigger social responses among members of a species. So in a way, nepetalactone fools a cat's brain into thinking it's encountered a potent cat pheromone!
Response in the Brain
We know catnip stimulates the amygdala, but what other regions of the cat brain are affected? Researchers at John Hopkins University set out to map catnip’s effects on the brain. They exposed cats to catnip and made 3D scans of their brains. They discovered catnip aktivates regions involved in emotion, memory, and sensory processing. Specifically, some areas activated by catnip include:
- Nucleus accumbens: the “reward center” that also responds to addictive drugs.
- Hippocampus: involved in learning and memory. May induce recollection of past catnip experiences.
- Sensory cortex: increased stimulation may make cats hypersensitive to catnip’s smell and taste.
- Brain stem: induces muscle contractions and head movements. Explains nuzzling, head shaking, and body rolling.
Additionally, catnip stimulates the release of dopamine, a "feel good" neurotransmitter. Dopamine activates pleasure and reward pathways in the brain. The response to catnip is not considered an addiction, since cats display no withdrawal symptoms when catnip is removed. But the dopamine release likely contributes to the euphoric catnip bliss cats experience.
The Catnip Response
When a cat is exposed to catnip, the process unfolds in several stages:
- Sniffing. Cats use their highly advanced sense of smell to detect nepetalactone vapors. They will sniff surfaces covered in catnip extract.
- Licking and chewing. Licking catnip brings the nepetalactone molecules into close contact with vomeronasal organs located above the roof of the mouth. These detect pheromones and other chemical signals.
- Chin and cheek rubbing. Cats have scent glands on their faces. By rubbing on catnip, they transfer nepetalactone molecules onto their bodies to scent-mark.
- Head shaking. Cats display flehmen behavior, making funny faces like they've tasted something weird. This response helps aerate the catnip so its scent can enter nasal passages.
- Rolling and flopping. Cats rub and writhe against catnip in ecstasy. This likely aids in spreading catnip seeds.
- Zoomies. After an initial phase of rolling, cats often sprint and jump around the house. This energetic play mimics predatory behavior.
- Grooming. Cats lick their paws and forearms after playing with catnip. This ingests more nepetalactone and spreads the scent over their body.
While individual cats may have varying sensitivity levels to catnip, all felines display this basic sequence of responses. However, after 5-15 minutes the catnip effect wears off as nepetalactone is rapidly metabolized. Cats must then wait 1-2 hours before catnip reactivates the brain’s pleasure pathways. It’s no wonder cats go wild for these catnip cat scratching sessions!
Catnip Safety and Side Effects
Because catnip elicits such an extreme reaction in cats, some owners wonder if it’s truly safe.
Here are some of the common health concerns surrounding catnip and why it’s considered non-toxic:
- It’s non-addictive. The response quickly plateaus and cats show no signs of addiction or withdrawal.
- It’s not a stimulant. Despite the exaggerated reaction, it causes relaxation and contentment.
- Nausea or diarrhea can occur with very high doses. Moderation is recommended.
- It’s non-toxic for cats and humans. Some minor side effects like headache or nausea may occur in humans at high doses.
- It can be given to cats daily but larger doses may lead to desensitization.
- Kittens under 8 weeks old will not react. Catnip response emerges around 8-12 weeks as kittens mature.
- Up to 50% of cats have little or no reaction to catnip. Select alternatives like silver vine instead.
- Pregnant cats can enjoy catnip as kittens don’t absorb compounds from the mother's milk.
While individual responses vary, catnip is considered very safe for the majority of cats when given properly. Always talk to your vet about introducing catnip to make sure your kitty doesn’t have any conditions that preclude use. With those caveats, let the catnip party commence!
Catnip for Stressed and Anxious Cats
Does your cat suffer from episodes of stress and anxiety? Excessive meowing, furniture scratching, nervous pacing, and aggression can be signs your cat is feeling anxious. While the reasons may vary, scientists have shown catnip's active compounds can safely calm and relax stressed cats without sedation.
Here’s how catnip helps anxious cats:
- Nepetalactone binds to the amygdala, reducing excitability in this emotion center.
- Activating pheromone receptors and the reward pathway soothes the nervous system.
- Dopamine release mimics the calming effect of mother cat pheromones.
- Gentle exercise from catnip play helps expend nervous energy in a positive way.
- The euphoric catnip response counteracts cortisol and adrenaline buildup.
- Stress relief allows cats to relax and engage in calming behaviors like self-grooming.
Because catnip is non-addictive and rapid acting, owners can use it for sporadic anxiety flare ups or high-stress events like vet visits. Check with your veterinarian before use and introduce catnip slowly to gauge your cat's response. Many cats feel an immediate reduction in anxiety symptoms when given catnip.
Homemade Catnip Cat Treats
Looking for a safe homemade treat to wow your feline friends? Try dehydrating catnip directly into tasty cat treats! Here is an easy recipe to try:
Dehydrated Catnip Treats
Ingredients:
2 6oz cans tuna in water
1 cup flour
2 eggs
3 tbsp dried catnip
Directions:
- Drain tuna and mix with flour, eggs, and catnip until a thick batter forms.
- Spread batter thinly onto dehydrator trays lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
- Dehydrate at 145°F for 8 hours, flipping treats halfway through. Dehydrate longer if still moist.
- When done, treats should be dry and chewy. Break into bite-size pieces to serve.
Cats go wild for these healthy homemade treats! Adjust catnip amount based on your cat’s preference. Always monitor your cat to ensure treats do not cause digestive upset.
Conclusion
Now you know the science behind the magical herb that sends cats into temporary euphoria. While humans have selectively bred and dispersed catnip for centuries, its origins trace back to wild cats reacting to nepetalactone. This chemical binds to specialized receptors and stimulates a hard-wired response that researchers are still working to fully understand.
Not all cats react to catnip, but those that do experience a sensory explosion and rush of dopamine akin to addictive drugs, albeit totally non-addictive. Catnip is safe for cats and provides environmental enrichment with its intoxicating aroma and insane antics. Just be wary of any catnip-filled toys your cat destroys or ingest whole.
When given responsibly, catnip is one of the best tools for activating happy, healthy cats. If you have a cat that reacts strongly, you now understand the special key that unlocks their catnip craze!
