Why does your cat run, bite or meow for no apparent reason? It is likely that he is under the stimulation of catnip or catnip. This wild plant (Nepeta cataria), no more than 60 centimeters tall, is from the mint family and usually grows in vacant lots, but it can also be found in your cat’s food or toys. Its intense aroma intoxicates the kittens and intervenes the nervous system of these animals.
Adult cats roll in the catnip as soon as they find it to carry its scent. Veterinarians associate this behavior with evolutionary factors, since catnip contains nepelactone, a molecule that awakens the sexuality of these animals. This plant with violet flowers is also a natural remedy against your pet’s anxiety, since its smell will help it calm down during episodes of stress or restlessness.
Catnip is a very versatile plant that allows multiple applications to use it in the care of your pet. Cats like to rub and nibble on it when it’s raw, so if you live in a wild area, he’ll go out looking for it himself. If you come across it, you can take a cutting and grow it in a pot at home, so you will always have it when you need to tame your cat.
Cold infusions are also an effective remedy that acts against itching applied to your cat’s skin. Filter that same liquid and pour it into a sprayer to spray the bed and the rooms where the kitten is usually. Dried catnip is also present in scratching posts and cat toys to contribute to active exercise and prevent overweight.
The nepelactone particles contained in catnip are spread when your cat rubs or licks this plant. The animals then go through a series of emotions, from the initial excitement in which they meow as in the mating season and hunt imaginary birds and insects, until they end up relaxing within fifteen minutes. These pleasant episodes help cats to rebalance their minds, so they will not be interested in the scent of catnip again until two hours after its effect.
Veterinarians advise that the doses of this plant be moderate to avoid adverse effects on the kitten. It is important to keep the windows closed when affected by catnip, since cats are given to climbing and jumping around any corner. Under this circumstance, animals must have adequate space during excitement as they are prone to scratching or interacting with unusual objects, so it will be necessary to keep babies and children out of their range of action.
