Fundamentals of Catnip

1. Fundamentals of Catnip You’ve probably heard of catnip before, and you may have even given a bit of it to your feline friend. Have you ever wondered more about this fascinating plant? Your veterinarian Louisville, CO is here to tell you all about the fundamentals of catnip. What is Catnip, Exactly? Catnip is an herb, related to other common herbs like mint and basil. It grows in the wild, but the catnip you’ll find in a pet store is much different. You can buy “raw” catnip, which looks similar to dried oregano or basil flakes, or you can purchase toys, sprays, and other products that have catnip infused into them. Is Catnip Safe? Yes, catnip is perfectly safe for cats—your pet can’t become addicted or overdose. The chemical agent that causes the reaction, nepetalactone, triggers a chemical response in your cat’s brain that wears off after only a few minutes. It’s all perfectly harmless! Why Isn’t My Cat Reacting? Cats actually require a specific gene, inherited from their parents, to feel the effects of catnip. If they don’t possess this gene from birth, catnip won’t have any real impact! Does your cat need a veterinary appointment? Call your pet clinic Louisville, CO.