Why do cats love catnip?
It might sound like a myth, but catnip really does send some cats into a frenzy. One minute they’re lounging around, the next they’re rolling, pouncing or tearing through the house like they’ve just won a zoomies championship. Others go the opposite way, stretching out in a state of calm contentment. What is catnip, and why does it make cats so happy? Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a herb from the mint family that grows all over the world. You might see it in gardens or even growing wild along footpaths. The magic ingredient is nepetalactone, a compound found in the leaves and stems of the plant. This chemical is believed to mimic a natural feline pheromone, triggering a response in certain cats that sends them into a state of excitement or relaxation. When a cat encounters catnip – whether by sniffing, licking, or rolling in it – the nepetalactone binds to receptors in their nose, ...