What Makes Catnip so Appealing to Cats: The Nepeta Herb

While some parts of the world would like to think of their family cat(s) as unique and typical of going into a seemingly drunken high when given a little pile of catnip--some of their cats may just turn up their nose at this popular herb from the genus of plants (well over 250 in total) called Nepeta. This might almost be akin to the human alcoholic gene, but just about all experts on felines say that the passion behind catnip is strictly hereditary through a cat's olfactory areas. All of that might help give some credence to genetic imprinting in all living species, especially for complicated humans. It also gives a bit of a mystery why catnip is so seductive to cats and becomes a useful sedative for human beings when used as an occasional medicinal herb in things like tea. Too bad, because I'm sure many of us wouldn't mind having the same effects cats have to catnip when it's put in our tea.

Despite that human use of the Nepeta herb--the name given to all of the species of plants is generally called catmints, which shows what its main use is. Other than that, some of the plants are considered weeds and will probably end up in a yard worker's garbage bag if it's not saved to prepare by you to give to your cats. Obviously, though, it's best to buy it in the little bags in pet stores where some of the best kinds are available. Most experts will say that the highest-quality kind that will get the best reaction from your cat is from the Nepeta cataria--or otherwise known as "true catnip." Also, Nepeta faassen is usually grouped with the cataria plant as the ones that have the most biting taste. Yet, your cat doesn't supposedly taste it when he or she starts having its strongest reactions.