Generally speaking, catnip is harmless to cats. Catnip is a natural non-toxic plant, and because it contains "nepetalactone", it stimulates nerves and produces excitement when cats smoke it, and it is not addictive. Cats will sneeze, roll, act coquettishly, and play wildly after smelling or eating catnip. It can promote the cat’s appetite and increase the cat’s amount of exercise.
Function of catnip:
1. Catnip contains an ingredient called nepetalactone. Nepetalactone will cause nervous excitement in cats, causing them to exhibit excited behaviors, such as sticking out their tongues, rubbing against their owners, rolling on the ground, meowing, etc., changing their former aloof image; the symptoms will disappear after 5-15 minutes ; Of course, there are individual differences. Some cats will become sluggish and stay quiet after smoking catnip; while some cats are naturally immune to catnip.
2. Nepetalactone has a similar chemical structure to the substance secreted in the urine of estrous female cats. Male cats are more likely to be attracted to catnip than female cats.
3. Cats are very clean animals. They often lick their fur to keep it clean, and they also inhale some hair. Feeding some catnip in an appropriate amount can induce vomiting and help the cat vomit out hair.
4. Catnip can help cats calm down and relieve anxiety. For cats that usually become calm after eating catnip, you can also feed some catnip in an appropriate amount when the cat is in heat to help the cat calm down and relieve anxiety. But don’t use it if your cat is usually excited after eating it, as it will make it even more excited.
5. Catnip can increase the cat’s appetite. Catnip can put cats in a happy mood and increase their appetite.