--- title: "Catnip: What Is It and How Does It Affect Cats?" description: "Known in botany as Nepeta cataria, catnip is loved by cats because it has \"special powers\" over them." image: https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Nepeta-Cataria-4.jpg --- [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-us) ![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/us.svg) - [![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/ca.svg)](https://blog.almonature.com/en-ca/catnip-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-cats-2-0?hsLang=en-ca) - [![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/gb.svg)](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/catnip-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-cats-2?hsLang=en-gb) [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-us) - Products - About us - [Where to buy](https://www.almonature.com/it/trova-un-negozio?hsLang=en-us) [![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/us.svg) ](https://blog.almonature.com/en-us/catnip-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-cats-2-0-0?hsLang=en-us) [![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/ca.svg) ](https://blog.almonature.com/en-ca/catnip-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-cats-2-0?hsLang=en-ca) [![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/gb.svg) ](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/catnip-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-cats-2?hsLang=en-gb) Products - Cat Food - Dog Food - Cat Litter Cat Food - [Natural HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Natural%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Mousse HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Mousse%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Complete HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Complete%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [La Cucina HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=La%20Cucina%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Supportive Formulas HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Supportive%20Formulas%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Hydration Help HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Hydration%20Help%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Classic Complete](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?segment=Classic%20Complete&hsLang=en-us) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) All Cat Food ](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/cat-products?hsLang=en-us) Dog Food - [Natural HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/dog-products?segment=Natural%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) - [Complete HQS](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/dog-products?segment=Complete%20HQS&hsLang=en-us) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) All dog food ](https://www.almonature.com/en-us/dog-products?hsLang=en-us) Cat Litter - [All Litter](https://www.almonature.com/it/lettiere?hsLang=en-us) - [Soft Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-soft-texture?hsLang=en-us) - [Grain Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-grain-texture?hsLang=en-us) About us - [Brand Profile](https://www.almonature.com/it/manifesto?hsLang=en-us) - [Our history](https://www.almonature.com/it/la-storia?hsLang=en-us) - [The company](https://www.almonature.com/it/rendicontazione?hsLang=en-us) - [Reintegration Economy](https://www.almonature.com/it/reintegration-economy?hsLang=en-us) ![Catnip: What Is It and How Does It Affect Cats?](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Nepeta-Cataria-4.jpg) ![Catnip Nepeta Cataria](https://blog.almonature.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Nepeta-Cataria-4.jpg?width=640&name=Nepeta-Cataria-4.jpg) Have you heard of catnip? Known in botany as *Nepeta cataria*, this plant is irresistible to domestic felines, seemingly holding "special powers" over them and driving many owners to use it for their pets. ### **Catnip: a mix of substances that stimulate cats** Catnip, also known as catmint or catswort, contains vitamins, minerals, essential oils and nepetalactone. The nepetalactone is primarily responsible for the mood-enhancing effects on the animal, acting like a cat pheromone. According to studies, about two-thirds of cats are susceptible to the effects of catnip, the smell of which is perceived by their vomeronasal organs. If you've ever seen a cat interact with catnip, you probably witnessed a typical scene: the cat sniffs it, rubs against it, rolls in it. He chews and licks it and even purrs. This combination of behaviors can last up to 15 minutes, the average time this mint-like plant holds a cat's interest. Even if taken in high doses, catnip isn't toxic for cats — and even if it were, the smart feline instinctively refuses food that is potentially harmful, never exceeding a safely ingestible quantity.   ### **Catnip: how to make a happy cat and owner** Knowing that catnip is considered a completely harmless, natural substance, capable of provoking pleasant sensations for your cat, how can we use it? Catnip can be an ideal diversion, stealing away their curiosity from your other house plants. Dr. Maria Grazia Calore, a veterinary surgeon and expert in pet behavior, provides some handy advice: “Provide your cat with a pot of planted catnip or some catnip mixed with flax seeds: this will be great sensorial stimulation for him. If possible, use a wide, low container; in this way, you will give him his own private ‘field.' Remember to give your cat a chance to look out of a window or, if possible, access to a garden or safe terrace." 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