Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family. The plant is known for its curious and sometimes dramatic effect on certain creatures. This aromatic herb induces a temporary, euphoric response that transforms the behavior of the animals that encounter it. Understanding which animals are affected and the biological reasons behind the reaction reveals a fascinating connection.
The Specific Attraction: Domestic Cats
The primary animal known for its enthusiastic response to this herb is the domestic cat. The reaction is a genetically inherited trait, meaning not every feline experiences the attraction. Typically, between 50% and 80% of adult cats show sensitivity to the plant. This inherited sensitivity does not usually appear until a cat reaches sexual maturity, as kittens under six months old rarely show any reaction.
Once exposed, the cat’s behavior shifts into a state resembling excitement or euphoria. Common responses include rubbing their head and chin on the source, licking, chewing, and shaking their head. Many cats also exhibit rolling on their back, drooling, or playful hyperactivity. This intense display lasts for a short duration, usually between five and fifteen minutes. Following the experience, the cat enters a refractory period where they are temporarily immune to further effects, lasting from 30 minutes up to two hours.
The Chemical Catalyst: Nepetalactone
The behavioral shift observed in cats is caused by nepetalactone, an organic compound found in the plant’s leaves and stems. This volatile oil is stored within tiny bulbs on the plant’s surface. It is released into the air when the herb is bruised, crushed, or chewed. The attraction is purely olfactory, as the animal must inhale the compound for the effect to occur.
When the cat breathes in the scent, nepetalactone molecules bind to specific receptors in the nasal tissues. This binding stimulates sensory neurons that send signals directly to the brain, targeting the olfactory bulb and areas of the limbic system. The limbic system regulates emotional responses and certain behaviors. This causes the cat to react as if responding to a social or sexual pheromone. This neurological pathway is unique to felines and is the basis for their attraction.
Big Cats and Other Felines
The attraction to catnip is not exclusive to house pets; this sensitivity is shared across the Felidae family. Studies have documented that many exotic felines respond to the herb similar to their domestic cousins. This includes large species such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, which exhibit rolling, rubbing, and sniffing behaviors.
Smaller wild cats also react strongly to the herb, including bobcats, cougars, servals, and lynxes. As with domestic cats, the intensity of the reaction varies greatly between individual animals. Some big cats show high enthusiasm while others remain indifferent. The capacity to respond to the nepetalactone compound is a preserved, inherited trait throughout the cat family.
Species That Are Not Attracted
The euphoric, scent-driven reaction to catnip is highly specific to members of the cat family. Many other mammal species, including household pets and wild animals, do not experience the same attraction or behavioral change. For example, dogs lack the specific olfactory receptors and neurological pathway to process nepetalactone in a way that triggers a euphoric response.
While a dog will not get a “high” from catnip, some owners report the herb may induce a mild calming effect in certain canines. Tested animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, and poultry are largely unaffected by the compound. Humans experience a different reaction, as the herb is sometimes used in traditional medicine to brew a tea. This tea acts as a mild sedative or a digestive aid, an effect opposite to the excitement it causes in cats.