What to do if your cat does not like catnip
Catnip is a herb that was originally imported from the Mediterranean and that has a very intense impact on the cats, especially on male tomcats. However, what can you do if your cat happens not to like catnip?
Catnip owes its powerful effect to the oils that are present in leaves, flowers and stems. “The mint produces a weird, euphoric state, and about 50% of all cats are sensitive to its effects. Catnip is hallucinogenic and narcotic-like, and it acts as a dis-inhibitor, which is why cats get so wacky when they are under its influence,” Dr. Cathy Lund of City Kitty Veterinary Care for Cats in Providence, R.I., explains.
It seems that genetics is to blame if your cat seems to show little interest in catnip. “If your cat is one of the 50% of cats who are not sensitive to the herb, then it won’t have any appeal whatsoever,” Dr. Lund said. “And catnip never affects kittens until they are older than 3 months of age,” she further added.
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If you want your cat to enjoy something else instead, try valerian. “The only naturally-occurring herb that can induce a similar response in the genetically susceptible cats is valerian,” says Dr. Lund. “This herb is commonly found in homeopathic relaxation and anti-stress remedies,” she concluded.
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