Catnip

[dinahsmum]

I have some growing in the garden and Tizzie will sometimes stop and have a sniff at it as if she is enjoying the smell, but it doesn't make her go silly.
I have heard that it is a sexual thing and affects boys more than girls If that's the case you'd think that neutering would eliminate/dilute it?

[Emm]

I read this in the How Things Work website:

Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well. The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to "reset." Then, the same reaction can occur again. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.

I would have thought as well a neutered cat would not react as well - the article also mentioned that tigers like catnip as well - can you imagine a huge tiger out his face on catnip

Both my dogs love catnip as well and are always trying to get my cats catnip toys and keep them - it makes them drool - I must have strange dogs!

[Elaine]

I would like to grow catnip. Is it easy to grow in Scottish climes? Where would I get it from?

[dinahsmum]

Originally Posted by Elaine

I would like to grow catnip. Is it easy to grow in Scottish climes? Where would I get it from?

Garden centres usually have it. It's Nepeta. It is not a thrilling floral display but it stays low and fills space. It dies off in winter and comes up again with the good weather - you might have to help it a bit with a layer of winter mulch or similar? Kazz is a good flower gardener - she will know.

[Elaine]

Thanx for that

[CathyW]

i was going to throw some cat nip seeds in a cat hating neighbours garden