Catnip Immunity

by Joe on Aug. 09th, 2005
in
15
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Somewhere, I imagine scientists in white lab coats are crouched over microscopes in sterile rooms decoding DNA. When I imagine a catnip research lab, I imagine something quite different. I see white lab coats covered in fur, sneezing lab technicians, scratching posts, and a bunch of cats enjoying themselves and rolling head over heels in catnip — while other cats watch lazily and wonder what the fuss is all about.

According to the Feline Health Center at Cornell University, only about half the cats in the world respond to catnip. Apparently, the intense interest some cats have in catnip is an inherited trait. Cats with only one catnip-loving parent only have a one-in-two chance of developing a love of catnip as well. If both parents are sensitive to catnip, the odds of their kittens being sensitive as well increase to thee-in-four. Regardless of their disposition towards catnip later in life, all kittens are indifferent to catnip until they are around three months old.

Cat sniffing some catnip
A cat sniffs a potted catnip plant.
Courtesy Elaine with Grey Cats

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, a member of the mint family of plants that also includes basil, oregano, and spearmint, contains Nepetalactone, which is one of several compounds that create a chemical reaction in cats. Scientists state that the reaction to catnip typically starts with sniffing, then progresses to licking, chewing, head shaking and rubbing, and then head-over-heels rolling. Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsletter of the American Chemical Society suggests that cat owners who have cats that are sensitive to catnip store the catnip in the freezer, as Nepetalactone is volatile and will degrade over time otherwise.

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Marcus says:

Awesome story Joe

posted on Wed, 08/10/2005 - 7:22pm
Anonymous says:

My cats LOVE catnip! I wonder if it was learned or genetic??

posted on Thu, 08/11/2005 - 10:37am
Sara says:

Ahh, what cat doesn't like catnip? It's proably very genetic and "normal" by nature. Catnip seems to be a calming thing for cats. It's like they go into a zone.

posted on Mon, 09/05/2005 - 4:50pm
Ventura High Student says:

Hey I don't have an e-mail right now but can you still post some science fair ideas about catnip?

posted on Tue, 11/29/2005 - 2:57pm
<em>Joe</em>'s picture
Joe says:

Why don't you try to test the effectiveness of catnip on different cats over time to see if you can identify any with the immunity?

posted on Thu, 12/01/2005 - 12:09pm
Anonymous says:

I love kittens. I agree on all you said.It was all intresting.\r\nI never new so much about kittens!I've learned so much!

posted on Mon, 12/19/2005 - 5:03pm
Anonymous says:

i love kittens

posted on Fri, 02/10/2006 - 1:26pm
kitty person says:

my kitty likes to sit on my shouler how come?\r\n\r\n

posted on Tue, 12/20/2005 - 2:23pm
Anonymous says:

hey i wanted to know if catnip can have an effect on humans

posted on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 1:42am
<em>bryan kennedy</em>'s picture

Catnip has been used as an human herbal remedy since the 15th century to treat pain like toothaches. Yet, it does not affect us in the same strong drug-like way it affects cats.

posted on Tue, 03/07/2006 - 11:56am
<em>horsyhollygirl</em>'s picture

I have two cats and I know one of them (Bernice shes 14) likes it but I don't think my other cat (Lilly shes 3) likes it. I wonder why some cats are affected by it and others are not? Do you have any cat(s0? And if so, do they/he/her like catnip?

posted on Mon, 03/20/2006 - 4:33pm
science fair freak says:

im doing a science fair project of the side effect of cats once they had catnip. kitten vs. adults cats. i want to get the same amout of oil on them and see if there is any side effects. Any tips for my project or suggestions?????

:>

posted on Thu, 09/06/2007 - 6:59pm
<em>Joe</em>'s picture
Joe says:

This site has some cool tips for science fair projects.

posted on Wed, 09/26/2007 - 12:36pm
Anonymous says:

this is a cool tips for science fair projects.

posted on Thu, 09/27/2007 - 1:03pm
lab coats says:

I wonder why some cats are affected by it and others are not? im doing a science fair project of the side effect of cats once they had catnip.

posted on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 6:15am

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