A plant that we call catnip (its proper name is Nepeta cataria) has an extraordinary effect on around 80% of cats.
An encounter with either the plant itself or with a catnip-stuffed toy can make cats excited, and they may sniff and roll around on the ground or over the catnip.
The active chemical in the plant is called nepetalactone and has been likened to LSD. However, its effect is short-lived and harmless.
Thank you for visiting our website, we hope you have found our information useful.
All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone. Please consider making a contribution, big or small, to keep our content free, accurate and relevant.
Support International Cat Care from as little £3