Catnip can take kitties to a different zone mentally. This feline herb can have a temporary psychological impact on furballs and can make your pet do pretty amusing things.
However, consuming anything beyond a specific limit can have unpleasant consequences. Catnip overdose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and tummy troubles. If the furball takes a break from nibbling catnip the effects may fade away quite soon or they may not, so be careful not to feed too much.
Although catnip is considered non-toxic in small doses for cats, you should monitor your feline so it doesn’t excessively consume this. At the same time, consider being equipped with kitten insurance, so your four paws has a medical financial backup just in case something goes wrong with its health.
Buying a policy is pretty easy with online services most cat insurers offer in the current times. All you may need to do is search cat insurance online, then request and compare each pet insurance quote from various insurers so you can purchase the best-fit policy for your furball that suits your budget.
In the meantime, read this article to learn the basics of catnip and how it can drive your furry precious crazy.
Catnip
This mint family herb can affect cats, including domestic and wild ones. It is often used in cat toys because cats can behave surprisingly when exposed to its odor. Some cat owners even make toys with catnip as a filling so their furry pet can happily play with them.
Smelling catnip can trigger intense feelings in a munchkin and have the same effect as pheromones that can make it feel good. This herb is believed to stimulate a cat’s brain receptors that respond to happy hormones.
This is precisely why it wouldn’t be surprising to see your feline rubbing its face and paws on a catnip toy, rolling around suddenly, and doing other strange but cute things. While some fur babies can experience calm, others might become more aggressive, vocal, and protective of their catnip toy. On the flipside munching on catnip leaves can mellow a cat.
What drives a cat crazy after smelling catnip?
The chemical compound “Nepetalactone” is responsible for a kitty’s strange antics after smelling catnip. This compound is in the oil in the catnip herb’s seed, leaves, and stems. A few sniffs can be just enough for a kitty to feel blissful. It is worth noting that some cats are unaffected by catnip, but most do feel the effects to some extent.
When they do the effects are only short-lived, technically for a couple of minutes. However, the impact can be different for each feline. Some may become more playful while others calm down. A kitty may lose interest after a few minutes of engagement with the herb, and it can take hours before the furry baby responds to the herb’s smell again.
Consider buying organic catnip and know that fresh catnip is more effective than dried ones. Note that eating a bit is considered safe, and the herb doesn’t cause an addiction. Grow it in your home or source it from a pet store, but use it wisely.
Catnip can be used to train your kitty cat, help lower its stress and anxiety, and encourage it to use things like scratch posts and beds. Let your furry pet enjoy catnip but be wary of overdoing it lest they get sick. Consider being equipped with kitten insurance so your furball gets timely medical care should it show adverse reactions to catnip.
If you haven’t bought a policy already, contemplate searching popular cat policies online, and seek and compare each pet insurance quote from several insurers before signing up for a policy that suits your cat’s health needs and your budget.