Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) is an herb belonging to the mint family which has been used 의해 man since the days of Ancient Egypt and 의해 고양이 for even longer. It has a remarkable effect on many cats, stimulating them and relaxing them at the same time. The plant is a perennial, common throughout 유럽 and Asia, as well as in North America where it was introduced many years ago. Its feline appeal lies in a chemical called nepetalactone which is present in its stem and leaves. Although the plant exudes its characteristic odor all the time, it is much 더 많이 attractive to 고양이 when the shoots are damaged 또는 withered.
Nepetalactone is an unsaturated lactone that does for some 고양이 what 마리화나 does for some people. 고양이 take off on a ten 분 "trip" during which they appear to be in a state of ecstasy, rubbing and rolling on the plant. All species of 고양이 react in this way, even lions, but not every individual reacts to it. The deciding factor is genetic. Fifty to sixty percent of adult 고양이 show a reaction to catnip. For the first two months of life 고양이 are repelled 의해 catnip. The positive 또는 neutral response does not appear until they are three months old.
Scientists have not determined how 또는 why the chemical substance in catnip affects cats. They assert that it does no lasting damage and that after the catnip "trip" the cat is back to normal with no ill effects. Valerian and Canadian Honeysuckle are plants that produce similar behaviors in cats.
While cat owners may have reservations about offering their 고양이 loose catnip, they will find that catnip stuffed in toys heightens the cat's interest in stationary toys that would otherwise be considered "dead prey", lifeless and boring. Toys that have pouches for catnip offer an advantage in that they can be emptied and refilled with fresh catnip. SmartCat has designed several of these toys. A new alternative to loose catnip, which can be messy, is catnip-infused plastic discs. These discs give off the smell of catnip for up to three months. Catnip toys should be stored in an airtight container with a pinch of catnip and brought out for twenty 분 play at a time. Like any herb, it looses its essential oils if left exposed to the air.
Nepetalactone is an unsaturated lactone that does for some 고양이 what 마리화나 does for some people. 고양이 take off on a ten 분 "trip" during which they appear to be in a state of ecstasy, rubbing and rolling on the plant. All species of 고양이 react in this way, even lions, but not every individual reacts to it. The deciding factor is genetic. Fifty to sixty percent of adult 고양이 show a reaction to catnip. For the first two months of life 고양이 are repelled 의해 catnip. The positive 또는 neutral response does not appear until they are three months old.
Scientists have not determined how 또는 why the chemical substance in catnip affects cats. They assert that it does no lasting damage and that after the catnip "trip" the cat is back to normal with no ill effects. Valerian and Canadian Honeysuckle are plants that produce similar behaviors in cats.
While cat owners may have reservations about offering their 고양이 loose catnip, they will find that catnip stuffed in toys heightens the cat's interest in stationary toys that would otherwise be considered "dead prey", lifeless and boring. Toys that have pouches for catnip offer an advantage in that they can be emptied and refilled with fresh catnip. SmartCat has designed several of these toys. A new alternative to loose catnip, which can be messy, is catnip-infused plastic discs. These discs give off the smell of catnip for up to three months. Catnip toys should be stored in an airtight container with a pinch of catnip and brought out for twenty 분 play at a time. Like any herb, it looses its essential oils if left exposed to the air.
