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Researchers wondered the same thing. To find the answer, they singled out catnip’s individual chemicals and exposed cats to each one separately. The only substance that cats responded to was an oil called nepetalactone, which is secreted from the leaves of the catnip plant.

So it’s not the catnip leaves themselves? My cat loves to rub and chew on them.

No, it’s not the leaves. But chewing and rubbing on the leaves releases more of the scented oil—and that’s what gives your cat such pleasure.

Can my cat become addicted to catnip? I’m afraid she’s playing with it too much.

Don’t worry. Researchers agree that catnip isn’t addictive. If you remove your catnip-filled toys or catnip plants, kitty won’t experience withdrawal symptoms. Let her enjoy!

My cat eats an awful lot of catnip. Is it harmful in any way?

Again, no. Rest assured—catnip is not toxic.

How come my cat only plays with the catnip for a few minutes and then leaves it alone?

It’s called catnip sensitivity. If you had an itch and someone scratched it for more than a few minutes, your skin would become desensitized, or unfeeling in that area. The same thing happens with catnip. Cats will play with it for up to 30 minutes, and then become desensitized. After an hour or two, they can enjoy the catnip again, just as having someone scratch your itch will feel good again.

I have two cats, and only one of them enjoys catnip. Why?

The answer lies in genetics. Cats that react to catnip have a gene that’s missing in cats that don’t favor catnip. Estimates say that only 40% of cats have the gene, so only 40% of cats enjoy catnip.

My cat is only 6 weeks old. Her parents like catnip so I guess she must have the gene too. Why doesn’t she respond to catnip?

Researchers agree that catnip causes a reaction in the same section of the brain that’s activated when cats are showing sexual behavior. The theory says that since kittens won’t begin to react sexually until they’re three to six months old, they won’t react to catnip until then, either.

Does catnip affect big cats too?

Yes, catnip produces the same wild effects in lions, tigers, and other large cats.

I’ve heard that people can eat catnip. Is this true? And why would anyone want to eat catnip?

Humans have been using catnip for centuries. It’s treated toothaches, colds, and gas problems. Today, catnip is enjoying popularity as an herbal tea ingredient to help with sleeplessness and to calm frazzled nerves. It has a mild mint flavor, and experts recommend its use as a calming agent no more than three times a day.

Others put catnip leaves in salads, or rub them directly on meats—like a tenderizer.

Don’t eat the prepackaged catnip that’s specially grown for cats though. Only use fresh or dried catnip that comes straight from the plant.

Hey, that sounds good! Can I grow my own catnip?

Sure, although it’s not the easiest plant to get started. They prefer full sun, but thrive in partial shade too. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that you freeze the seeds a few times, and then soak them in water before planting.

A word of warning! If you plant catnip outdoors, you’re going to attract cats. One ingenious herbalist recommends putting the plant in a birdcage. As the plant grows, cats can get at the leaves that escape the cage, but they won’t be able to destroy the plant totally. And catnip spreads too, so be sure to give it plenty of room.

Once you get the plant started, it also grows well in pots, planters and window boxes.

When catnip blooms are fully open, cut the flower tops and pick the leaves. Just make sure you use or dry them before they turn brown.

What does a catnip plant look like?

Catnip is a perennial (or returning) herb that produces gray-green, heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. It can grow up to 3 feet tall, and has small flowers in tight clusters at the ends of the branches. The two-lipped flowers are white, dotted with purple.

Catnip comes in three varieties:

1. Leaf and flower, which has no stem;
2. Toy cut (the worst variety), which is very “stemmy,” and
3. Tea cut, with very fine leaves—almost like what’s in a tea bag.

I don’t have much of a green thumb. How else can I get catnip?

You can buy catnip in many forms. It comes packaged in poly bags, plastic tubs, in bulk, and in catnip buds, which are very sticky at the ends. Liquid catnip is the latest craze. Oils are extracted and mixed to help with evaporation.

You can buy liquid catnip in either aerosol or pump sprays. Watch out—you’ll get less catnip for your money if you buy aerosols. Pump sprays are all catnip. If you buy a bottle of liquid catnip in a pump spray, you’re going to more liquid catnip and not aerosol propellants.

You can also find extracted catnip oil in cat bubbles. You know, like the bubble bottles and wands we played with as kids? Cats love to chase bubbles anyway—add a little catnip, and they go wild!

Yes. The same oil in catnip that attracts your cat also repels bugs! Surround yourself with a garden full of catnip and keep the pests at bay.

Catnip is also used as a behavioral teaching tool for cats. Trying to get Kitty to use a scratching post instead of your furniture? Rub some catnip on it, place a bowl of catnip-enhanced pet treats by its base, or attach catnip-filled toys to the posts to encourage scratching.

While we’re talking about catnip toys, be aware that most toys found at your local pet and grocery stores are filled with very little low-grade catnip grown overseas. Most of what’s in the bag (or ball, or stuffed toy) is filler.

The highest-grade catnip grows in the cool and moist Pacific Northwest and Canada—primarily farmed by small mom-and-pop and herbal growers. And if it’s high-grade catnip, it can be kept fresh in your refrigerator and freezer.

Does Bluegrass Buddy sell catnip?

Bluegrass Buddy manufactures the Giddy Kitty® line of catnip products.Giddy Kitty® catnip comes in one-ounce tubs, half-ounce poly bags, and liquid catnip pump spray bottles.

We also distribute Giddy Kitty®, semi-moist organic catnip cat treats, in four yummy flavors: beef, liver, chicken, and fish. Giddy Kitty®, treats are made with real meat and do not contain any fillers.

And, look for Giddy Kitty® Catnip Bubbles to show Kitty a really good time!

Where does Bluegrass Buddy get its catnip?

Bluegrass Buddy does business with small mom-and-pop and herbal growers. They farm catnip exclusively for us. Our strict quality control measures bring you only the freshest and highest-grade catnip on the market today. We work closely with individual farm managers who make sure our catnip is pampered—just like a newborn baby. The fields are clean and weed-free, and periodic onsite inspections help keep everyone on their toes.

We know our catnip is high-grade and high quality—that’s the only kind we’ll grow, and that’s the only kind we’ll sell.

We hope this Q & A has been helpful. Order Giddy Kitty® Catnip products here, or call us at 678 482-2043.