What Is Catnip
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What Is Catnip, anyway?
Catnip is a perennial mint herb with the scientific name of Nepeta cataria. More common aliases to the “what is catnip” question are catmint, catwort, or catrup. As one might guess from the name catnip, catnip is known for its effects on cats. We’ll get to the effects of cats on catnip later.
Catnip has been exported from its European origins to many countries throughout the world. Like any other mint, it grows well and spreads easily. It reaches to around 1 meter in height with many branches having stems that grow small white flowers with purplish spots on them. When these leaves, which are quite delicate, are crushed or bruised they release catnip oil, which is the active ingredient in catnip.
What Is Catnip Effect On Cats?
What is catnip effect on cats? Cats on catnip will become playful, though sometimes aggressive, so you should be careful about the affect of cats on catnip. They will roll in it, lick it, sniff it, and generally seek to get it in their systems and on their scent glands. They will be delirious for a few minutes, and then relatively immune to the effect for another hour or two. What is catnip if not a drug for cats? At least it’s harmless.
As mentioned before, some cats on catnip will become aggressive, so you should avoid giving them any catnip. Not all cats are affected by catnip, as studies have shown that a large percentage of cats in Australia do not respond to catnip, while elsewhere 70-80% of cats do. Assuming limited breeding stock, if that isn’t a clear case for heredity inheritance, what is? Catnip also affects cat’s larger cousins too. I remember hearing of an experiment with a jaguar that responded just as you would expect from a housecat.
Catnip Uses
Catnip can be administered a variety of different ways, from using catnip cat toys like a catnip mouse, to raw catnip oil or catnip seeds. You might consider toys you can use catnip spray on, because freshness is a huge factor in what is catnip effectiveness on cats. Some people have become experts are growing catnip, while others buy bulk catnip. Be sure to store your catnip in a refrigerator or freezer to help keep it fresh and safe from desperate cats. Enjoy some catnip tea and it’s many benefits.
So now when someone asks you “What is catnip, anyway?” you can respond “What is catnip? Well, let me tell you, I know All Things Catnip, and here’s what you need to know…”
Tags: bulk catnip, catnip, catnip cat toys, catnip mouse, catnip oil, catnip seeds, catnip spray, catnip tea, cats on catnip, growing catnip, what is catnipRelated posts
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What Is Catnip? | All Things Catnip…
What is catnip? Why does it have such an affect on cats? How do cats react to catnip, and why do some of them not react at all? Does it need to be kept fresh, and where did it come from? Does it cause aggression in some cats, and indifference in k…
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