When Kittens Have Catnip

The reaction to a catnip can vary from kitten to kitten.

When kittens have catnip. The reaction can be intense but it s relatively short lived and after it s over the cat cannot get high again for an hour or so. These hard wired preferences aren t immediately apparent though since kittens under the age of 3 months don t react to catnip at all. Once the effects have worn off they have in fact completely worn off. If he s still young give it some time.

Can kittens have catnip. It s genetics that determines whether your feline friend falls for this cousin to basil and oregano. It is found in the leaves and. Catnip nepeta cataria is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family.

The chemical compound in the plant that attracts and affects cats is called nepetalactone. Not all felines respond to catnip. About one cat in two inherits a sensitivity to the herb. Yes catnip is safe for cats.

The study noted that kittens under 8 weeks exhibited no reaction to catnip and according to todd when kittens are given it the catnip often produces a distinct avoidance response in young kittens which is gradually replaced by indifference in non responders and by heightened curiosity in responders. That freak out your cat may or may not have after smelling or eating catnip is 100 normal safe and temporary. Try reintroducing the catnip then and you will probably find that your cat will greatly enjoy it. Some cats become like a lazy drunk while others get a wired up crazy.

If your cat is an adult you may have one of the few adult cats that do not possess the gene. When cats get a whiff of catnip they behave similarly to female cats in heat erratic movements strange howls and all. It can grow to be up to three feet. This out of fur experience is due to the active ingredient in the oil.

Kittens whether they possess the gene or not generally do not react to catnip until they are from six to nine months old. Nothing is lasting about the effects of catnip. He may wind up falling in love with his catnip toys when he gets a little older but don t be discouraged if he never seems to care. Newborn kittens aren t usually responsive to catnip at all until they are about 3 months of age.

Facts about catnaps. Although catnip is totally harmless and safe around kittens both to smell and to eat it isn t necessarily effective. It is generally considered safe to use catnip for kittens but it is important to note that some cats may not prove very interested in the herb especially kittens that are younger than two to three months old and some elderly cats. The herb s influence is genetic so not all cats respond to it according to the humane society of the united states.