The Facts About Catnip

There are actually 250 species of catnip on earth, all of which are members of the genus Nepeta. The best known species is Nepeta cataria, a mint like herb with white and purple flowers. Although this plant is not native to the Americas, it has flourished since it was introduced to the continent by early settlers. The perennial herb is easy to grow and, as is the case with other mints, may quickly overgrow a garden if allowed to spread. Aside from the plant's famous effect on cats, the herb is also used to produce a powerful insect repellent that is even more effective than DEET on cockroaches and mosquitoes.

Catnip actually does not work on every cat. Most kittens are left cold by catnip, and only two thirds of adult cats let the herb get it bent out of shape. It appears that whatever it is that lets cats get excited by catnip is passed down genetically. Some feline veterinarians believe that the nepetalactone present in catnip excites cats by mimicking a particular cat pheromone called the feline facial pheromone. This triggers a euphoria is susceptible cats that can produce a wide array of erratic behavior, ranging from jumping around to purring to biting and scratching.

Curiously, many cats will only react to catnip in particular environments. For instance, a cat that is susceptible to the effects of catnip will ignore the substance if he or she is in an unfamiliar or noisy environment. Only in a relaxed atmosphere in which the cat feels comfortable will most cats get worked up over catnip. Even then, most cats will not remain interested in catnip indefinitely. They'll do the whole crazy catnip routine for a few minute, but then they're almost always ready to move on to something else and allow things to get back to normal. On a related note, cats will also loose interest in catnip for more frequently that he or she is exposed to the substance. Most cat's will get less and less of a charge out of catnip if they are exposed to it more than once a week.

Some believe that unneutered male cats have the strongest response to catnip. If this indeed the case, it is likely to be a result of nepetalactone's state as a pheromone that is also found in heavy quantities in the urine of female cats.

Sources

http://science.howstuffworks.com/herbs-spices/question303.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepeta
http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/obedcat/a/catcatnip.htm
http://www.kittycantcopesack.com/nipfacts.html
http://pets.preferredconsumer.com/cat/catnip.html