Why do cats like catnip?

United States
January 4, 2007 5:58pm CST
My cat goes crazy for catnip. Why? One friend said that catnip was like giving humans 'drugs' and that my cat was high. Another friend said it just relaxed their stomach. My cat eats it and tries to roll in it and then acts kind of excited.
2 responses
@Wanderlaugh (1622)
• Australia
5 Jan 07
There's another thing called catmint, which allegedly has the same properties. Some say catnip and catmint even affect people. The effects on the cat of these things are highly debated. If you're concerned, check with cat groups, or SPCA, for the official version. I know at least one cat who wasn't at all interested in the catnip, but liked the catmint. Cats have got some odd tastes. One I knew would faithfully show up every time someone had any Bolognese sauce cooking. She also wiped out any undefended pizza she could find. It's amazing, really, that the pizzas even got delivered, and we weren't put on some sort of pizza blacklist. If the cat loves it, and you don't want to overdo it, a little every now and then as a treat should be enough.
• United States
5 Jan 07
Yeah, mine will go after the children's lollipops if they don't guard them! He also loves cake icing!
• United States
5 Jan 07
Yes, all of my cats love catnip too. I heard that catnip is kind of like an aphrodisiac which makes the cats feel good. Catnip is great when you have to travel with a cat-they seem to be calmer and not as stressed out when there's a little catnip in their pet carrier.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jan 07
Oh, thanks for that suggestion~ I would have never thought of that! My cat hates being in his carrier, I will try that on the next outing!