I would like to address the issue of Nepeta cataria, or catnip, as you people like to call it, and it’s use to manipulate cats in households all over this country. As as cat, I think it’s over used and misunderstood.

I was first introduced to catnip when I brought into this home. Before that, I never knew what it was. They seemed to think the involuntary reaction I had to this substance was “cute”. Free entertainment at my expense, since I had no control over myself when it was given to me.

They kept getting more and more products that contained the dried leaves - cardboard scratcher (not as entertaining as the couch), catnip filled mice, then they resorted to just buying it by the container and sprinkling it on things. They could never understand why the whole enjoyment of it seemed so short lived - why I wouldn’t play with those mice for hours on end, just because they were filled with catnip.

I decided to do a little research regarding the “drug” and discovered some interesting facts:

1. Not all cats are sensitive to the chemical, nepetalactone, that is the triggering component in catnip. Kind of like not all humans are sensitive to the asparagus phenomenon. (You’re on your own with that one….). The behavior is inherited. So no, there is nothing wrong with Fluffy if she doesn’t like catnip.

2. The reaction only lasts a couple of minutes. So stop buying more and more toys thinking that the catnip has “gone bad”! Our brains have to “reset” before we will react to it again. By that time we’ve gone on to something else more important. Sleeping for example. I know it’s not as entertaining for you, but much more enjoyable for us.

3. Many wild cats respond to catnip too. Now seeing a big lion in the bush going at it with catnip might be entertaining. Take some with you on that next safari to Africa and see what happens.

4. Little kittens and old cats, tend respond little, if at all, to catnip. So again - save your money.

There you have it. Some basic facts about catnip. Cats are not catnip junkies. We know how to stop. I wish I could just contain myself when it’s first given to me. So humiliating and rather undignified behavior from a normally dignified feline!