Cats and Catnip

The medicinal and healing properties of catnip are abundant, and your cat could benefit from occasional exposure.

By Jessica Levy and DVM, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: June 12, 2008 - 4:56 PM

Originally published in TC Dog in 2005.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria, also called catmint or catnep) is a perennial herb that is widely distributed across the North American continent. European in origin, it was prized for its culinary and medicinal uses, and was brought to the western hemisphere with settlers and pioneers. Initially cultivated as a commercial crop, catnip escaped to the wild, and can now be found nationwide as a weed. It is a member of the mint family, and as an herbal medicine for humans it treats a wide range of ailments. It's used as a sedative and relaxant, although in cats it seems to have quite the opposite effect.

The odor of the fresh plant is reported to be somewhere between mint and pennyroyal, and it is this quality that cats find so attractive. Bruising the leaves releases the aromatic oils of the plant. A cat's sense of smell is so powerful they can smell catnip through the bag. To them it's a big whiff- even from afar.

Catnip was used medicinally as a tea, and several references I found warned that it should be steeped, but never boiled. It was used for convulsions, insanity, fever, hysterical headaches, and to expel worms. It was also effective for teething pains, digestive upsets, and colic in babies. It can be ingested, given as an enema, or applied topically, as for an earache or dandruff. It can be smoked for its calming effect to treat insomnia and restlessness. Catnip was quite popular in England as a relaxing tea, before imported teas from China became all the rage. It was commonly planted around the edges of gardens because it repels rats.

The exact effect of catnip on cats is unknown, and can vary quite a lot. Some cats don't seem to notice catnip, some sniff it appreciatively and seem to like it, and others find it to be their drug of choice. They may eat it, roll in it, drool on it, lounge around in a drunken or "stoned" state, or become completely paranoid until a good 24-hour nap works it out of their systems. The individual reaction to catnip is apparently genetic. Young cats are not responsive to the drug until they've passed puberty (6 to 9 months)-hence the reputation catnip is a feline aphrodisiac.

Catnip can be used to train cats to use a scratching post, as an appetite enhancer, or for an impromptu cat party. It can ease a trip to the veterinary hospital, or make a new pet sitter seem like one of the family. However, if the feline crowd is exposed to it daily, the novelty wears off and a tolerance develops. It's probably best to try a small amount at home first, and to observe your cat's reaction. If they get happy, then they'll probably associate catnip with pleasant experiences. If they become paranoid or aggressive, then you'd want to avoid it in the future.

Of course, only organically grown catnip should be offered. If they're going to ingest it, any herb or plant should not be coated with chemicals. Catnip is easy to grow; it can tolerate temperatures to -25 degrees, and is not picky about soil types. Like all members of the mint family, once catnip has taken root, the more you pick the more it spreads. Luckily catnip also has uses in companion planting, attracting favorable insects to the garden.

When the plants have reached about three feet in height and the flower buds are present but not yet blooming, the leaves can be stripped for drying. After drying, they can be crushed and sown into little pillows and toys or offered directly. To maintain freshness, dried herbs should be kept in sealed glass containers in the refrigerator. As loving caretakers of our cats, it's the least we can do to offer our cats a chance to break loose and party every once in awhile and envy them their uninhibited fun.

Jessica Levy, DVM, is the owner of Tapping the Source, a holistic house call veterinary practice.

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