What it is, what it is for and Properties

Catnip can be found naturally in America, Europe, and Central Asia, being an evergreen plant that grows in uncultivated land and meadows. It can have leaves in the form of lilac or yellowish flowers and, in addition, it is characterized by giving off a peculiar mint smell. It is precisely due to its smell that many cats associate this plant with the pheromones that their urine gives off. The reason that would explain why they are so attracted could be precisely because the smell reminds them of mating.

If you place this plant near your cat, you will see that it licks it, rubs it, chews it and even in some situations it can make strange and loud sounds, similar to those of a female in heat. The nepetalactone molecule is responsible for the effects caused by this herb in the cat, since it enters the animal’s nostrils and stimulates your sensory neurons.

The truth is that catnip has no specific use; But it does stimulate the cat, make it hyperactive, and can even motivate it to act in ways unfamiliar so far. Once exposed to this herb, the effect lasts about ten minutes and then the cat can go 30 minutes without paying attention to you.

• Catnip can be used in certain toys to stimulate the cat, help it move, and motivate it to exercise to avoid being overweight.
• It can also be used in the form of a spray to soak the scratcher and attract the animal to it to avoid scratching other unwanted places in the house.
• If your friend with mustaches feels drowsy after being in contact with this plant, you can take advantage of it and use it to relax him when necessary, since after the first minutes the hyperactive effect will disappear.

Keep in mind that a cat under the influence of this herb can be in danger if you leave any window open, so try close all the doors of your house so that it does not escape or get hurt.

Although it is true that cats sometimes ingest this herb, they do not do it to purge themselves, but because they feel discomfort in the stomach and eat it to induce vomiting. If you notice that your cat ingests a lot of grass, take him to the vetas a problem may have developed in your stomach. There are different herbs for cats that are edible, so we recommend that you inform yourself well before buying any plants that may be toxic to them.

As we have seen, this wounding time is very attractive for cats, but it should be borne in mind that your pet’s reactions will also depend on the type of cat it is, its genetic predisposition and the amount it ingests. These are the main properties of catnip or catnip:

• Encourage the cat to move and play. Or else, to relax (it will depend on the cat and how long it has been near the silver).
• Exercise the cat’s mind due to the game.
• Helps you stay active.
• It repels mosquitoes and other insects, but this does not mean that by spraying this plant on the cat it is protected from all parasites, since the catnip does not serve to deworm it.

Said herb it is neither toxic nor addictive for the cat, that’s why it is perfect for them. However, the supervision of the feline and the moderation in which the plant is administered is important, since if your cat is male, it can become aggressive and violent.

If you live somewhere where you can find catnip of natural form, you can plant it in a pot and move it to your home. If, on the other hand, you cannot obtain it naturally, you should know that this plant is also marketed already prepared, in the form of an aerosol, oil or powder.

You can buy it in greenhouses, health food stores, shopping centers, pet stores, or maybe even at a veterinarian. If you prefer to buy from the comfort of your home, on the Internet you will also find many types of catnip ideal for your cat.

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If you want to read more articles similar to Catnip or catnip: what it is, what it is for and properties, we recommend that you enter our category of Pets.