Does catnip attract cats? The answer is, it depends. Some kitties love the stuff and others pass it by without a second glance. Let’s explore the interesting relationship between cats and catnip plants.
Why are Cats Attracted to Catnip?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains nepetalactone, a chemical that attracts many cats, including tigers and other wild felines. Cats typically react by rolling or chewing on the leaves, or by rubbing against the plant. They may even get a little crazy if you have traces of catnip on your shoes. Some cats become super playful while others become anxious, aggressive, or sleepy. They may purr or drool. A reaction to catnip lasts only five to 15 minutes. Catnip is “purr-fectly” safe and non-addictive, although ingesting a large amount could potentially cause a mild tummy upset. If your cat shows no interest in catnip, this is also normal. Sensitivity to catnip is genetic and about one-third to one-half of cats are totally unaffected by the plant.
Protecting Your Catnip from Cats
Catnip isn’t a particularly pretty herb and it tends to be somewhat aggressive. However, many gardeners grow catnip for its medicinal qualities, making safeguarding catnip plants necessary. Tea made from catnip leaves is a mild sedative and may relieve headaches, nausea, and insomnia. The leaves are sometimes applied directly to the skin as a treatment for arthritis. If the neighborhood felines are visiting your catnip plant more than you like, you may need to protect the plant from too much kitty attention. About the only way of protecting your catnip from cats is to surround the plant with some type of enclosure. You can use wire fencing, as long as paws can’t easily fit through the holes. Some people like to put potted catnip in a birdcage. Catnip also does well in hanging baskets, as long as the basket is safely out of reach.
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Catnip Winter Care – Is Catnip Winter HardyEven if you don’t have cats, catnip is a perennial herb that is easy to grow and attracts bees and other pollinators. You can even make a tasty and stomach-soothing tea from it. Depending on where you live, winter can be a little harsh on your catnip, so learn how to protect it here.
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Cutting Back Catnip: Should I Prune Catnip PlantsCatnip is a no-fuss, easy-to-grow member of the mint family that requires little maintenance. What about pruning catnip plants though? Is cutting back catnip necessary? Click here to find out about pruning catnip plants and, if need be, how to prune catnip.
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Planting Catnip For Cats: How To Grow Catnip For Cat UseIf you have cats, then you are more than likely to have given them catnip or have toys for them that contain catnip. As much as your cat appreciates this, he/she would love you even more if you provided them with fresh catnip. Learn about planting catnip for cats here.
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Treating Catnip Diseases – How To Manage Problems With CatnipThere are few issues that will seriously affect the plant's health. They take quite a lot of abuse from overly interested neighborhood felines. However, if your plant looks sick, fungal issues are probably the most common diseases of catnip. Learn more here.
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Catnip Propagation Methods – Tips For Growing New Catnip Herb PlantsDoes kitty love her catnip toys? Well then, perhaps you should grow your own catnip herb plants. Don’t know how to propagate catnip? Growing new catnip plants is easy. Click on the following article to find out about catnip propagation.
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Catnip Plant Varieties: Growing Different Species Of NepetaCatnip is a member of the mint family. There are several types of catnip, each easy to grow, vigorous and attractive. Learn more about the various types of catnip plants that you can add to your garden here in this article.
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