Not all cats like catnip. Especially young and very old cats do not react to the effect of catnip. But also a non-inherited gene can be the reason that your cat does not like catnip.
If your cat does not like catnip, this is not a bad thing. Although many cats truly love catnip and can’t get enough of it, some cats may not find it particularly appealing.
About 30% of all cats show no particular reaction to catnip and leave it to the left. A reaction to catnip is hereditary and your cat may not have the appropriate receptors for it.
But also very young cats, younger than 6 months, do not yet have any sensitivity to catnip. The same is true for very old cats, which hardly show any interest in catnip.
What is the effect of catnip on my cat?
Many cats react very relaxed to catnip and it can be used especially well in stressful situations. But cats can also get real highs from the smell of catnip and have an increased hunting instinct.
What exactly your velvet paws love so much about catnip is still unknown. However, cats seem to enjoy catnip very much when you offer it to them. They will often prance around the mint or rub against it to pick up the scent. Likewise, some cats will try to eat or lick the mint.
Many cats react with relaxation when they have licked or sniffed the catnip. But your slightly intoxicated cat may also get a real flight of fancy as well as an increased hunting instinct.
Especially the active ingredient nepetalactone, a pheromone in catnip, makes your cat relax or has a euphoric effect. The alkaloid actinidine contained in catnip also has a special effect, as it is used as an insect repellent.
How can I best use catnip on my cat?
Especially for anxious cats in stressful situations, catnip can be very calming. Feedable catnip can also be used optimally as an appetite stimulant. But catnip can also work wonders as a motivator for a sofa cat.
Catnip often has a very relaxing effect on cats and can therefore be used very well with anxious cats to get to know the new home better.
But catnip can also be used wonderfully when reuniting cats and can reduce stress very well as well as provide a pleasant atmosphere.
If your cat doesn’t like its carrier and finds it difficult to get into it, catnip could ease the situation considerably and ensure safe transport to the vet or on holiday.
For sick cats that need to be fed again and still have little appetite, the use of catnip can help very well. There is food-grade catnip that can be mixed into the cat food to stimulate the appetite.
Catnip can also be used to bring your cat’s play instinct back up to speed. Especially hard-boiled sofa cats can be encouraged to play again with the help of catnip.
Some cats prefer to use other furniture to sharpen their claws rather than their scratching post. To avoid this, you can try using catnip to make the scratching post or litter tray more interesting for your cat.
Is catnip harmful to my cat?
Catnip often has a calming effect on cats and is not harmful to them. However, using catnip for too long is not advisable and could lead to behavioural changes in your cat. Catnip should definitely only be used in stressful situations or as an appetite stimulant and should not be seen as a permanent solution, as the effect often wears off otherwise.
Catnip should only be used in certain stressful situations or for an appetite stimulant. If catnip is used for too long, it can lead to stress reactions and restlessness in cats.
It can also lead to withdrawal symptoms in cats if catnip is removed from the cat’s environment.
It is also possible that cats will urinate all over the home if catnip is used for too long in order to mask the smell of the plant.
Eating catnip is not harmful. In general, catnip should only be used in certain stressful situations and should not be used as a permanent solution.
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Summary – Cat does not like catnip
Not all cats like catnip. Especially young and very old cats do not react to the effect of catnip. But also a non-inherited gene can be the reason that your cat does not like catnip.
Cats can be very relaxed by the smell and the effect of catnip or experience real flights of fancy. The hunting instinct is particularly strong.
Catnip should be used especially for anxious cats in stressful situations such as moving house or being transported to the vet. But also to encourage a sick cat to eat, edible catnip can be used very well. Likewise, catnip is considered a true miracle weapon for so-called sofa cats to inspire them to play and move around.
As a rule, catnip is not harmful to cats. However, the use of catnip should not be a permanent solution and should not be used for days on end, as otherwise the effect on your cat could wear off. Cats may also experience withdrawal symptoms if catnip is removed after too long a period of use.