Cat people: What's the deal with Catnip?

[SaltBoy]

What is it? Is it bad for cats, or what...?

 

[Descartes]

I don't think it's bad for them, but both of my cats absolutely love it. They freak out when they first smell it, start attacking me when I hold it in my hands, then roll around on it for a while before they eat it.

It's just one way I can show my appreciation for their company

 

[SaltBoy]

Okay, but WHAT is it? Does it make them...*ahem...* horny?

 

[no0b]

its the equivelent of LSD, or weed to cats

after awhile the cats will build up a tolerance

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: no0b
its the equivelent of LSD, or weed to cats

after awhile the cats will build up a tolerance

Yep. We used to throw a ball of catnip to our cats when we had a big smoke out. Made him feel like a part of the group.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Makes my girls high and then they get the munchies!

 

[aphex]

KITTY DRUGS!

 

[Pepsei]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy
What is it? Is it bad for cats, or what...?

It's not bad for cats... I have a big bush by the steps outside... It it getting ready to bud soon...

but I can usually spot the cat next door sneak by to sleep in the bush....

I harvest the leafs as treats for my cats once in awhile.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

We made a cat retarded with catnip. That cat hasn't ever been right since. We had a sock type thing that was full of cat nip, and we dumped it all over the floor and the cat was rolling in it, eating licking it all kinds of crazy stuff, I mean she just went WILD. OMG it was soo funny. She was all meowing softly like she was in heaven then would errupt in hisses and snarls, then go back to purring and meowing. I guess she was having a kitty-gasm.

 

[Moonbeam]

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It's the equivelent of LSD, or weed to cats
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Yup, every time I take that stuff I roll around on the floor in it and bite people's hands.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Yup, every time I take that surff I roll around on the floor in it and bite people's hands.

Bad pussy, bad. Don't bite. Whack!

 

[Moonbeam]

Speaking of bad pussy, which I have yet to see, wouldn't it be heaven on earth if catnip had that effect on all pussies?

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Speaking of bad pussy, which I have yet to see, wouldn't it be heaven on earth if catnip had that effect on all pussies?

Made them run around like crazy and try to bite you? That doesn't sound too great to me.

 

[Fausto]

And for the record:

The pleasure factor in catnip is the chemical compound nepetalactone, which seems to have a mildly hallucinogenic effect on cats. Nepetalactone is similar to a chemical found in the urine of female cats, and this may be why unneutered males have stronger reactions to catnip than females and neutered males. Some speculate that nepetalactone stimulates the region of a cat's brain associated with sexual behavior.

It's not just domestic house cats that have an affinity for catnip -- even lions, pumas, and leopards are said to enjoy a roll in the 'nip. But not every cat will get a catnip buzz. Kittens don't react to catnip until they are six to eight months old. And roughly 20% to 50% of all cats have no reaction to the stuff. Catnip sensitivity is genetic and may also be influenced by learning and experience.

Fausto

 

[yakko]

It is kitty drugs. I love giving it to the one outdoor tomcat who is about 13 years old. It is always funny to watch the big bad cats turn into slobberings idiots.

 

[Moonbeam]

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It is always funny to watch the big bad cats turn into slobberings idiots. Yakko

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LOL

Now there's a line that belongs in somebody's sig

I'd put it in mine, but I'm full and I kinda need what I got.