For cat owners, they definitely know there is something called catnip. Many owners keep catnip at home because cats have an excited reaction to catnip. So many people are curious, why do cats like catnip so much? Today, the editor will explain it for everyone.

The original name of catnip is called Nepeta cataria. It is a type of catmint, and catnip flowers are light purple. Once a cat smells catnip, it will be attracted to it. The reason cats are attracted is because catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone. When a cat smells nepetalactone, it stimulates the amygdala in its brain, which, once activated, causes the cat to feel excited. However, cats do not like fresh catnip very much; they prefer dried catnip.

But not all cats will react to catnip. Generally, about 50-70% of cats get excited when they smell catnip, but 30% of cats do not react at all. Especially if your cat is less than two months old, it will basically have no reaction to catnip. Only when a cat reaches about six months old does its reaction gradually become stronger. Also, female cats tend to react more strongly than male cats.

The excitement cats get from catnip does not create an addiction like drugs. When cats smell catnip, they become excited for about 15 minutes, but after 15 minutes, they return to normal. Also, if you don’t give cats catnip for a long time, they won’t feel physically uncomfortable. Therefore, cat owners shouldn’t have a resistant mindset thinking catnip is harmful. On the contrary, a proper sniff of catnip can make cats appear more youthful and energetic.