More on Catnip
Apr 27th, 2006 by Rob
Catnip is a popular topic for Ragdoll cat owners. Here is another article about the origins of the herb and why some cats go crazy over it.
Catnip is a mint-like herb that originated in Asia and parts of Europe. The early Romans used it for medicinal reasons and even cooked with it. A common belief holds that the Egyptians offered catnip to the cats they worshipped. The domestication of the cat originated in Egypt and spread to the Middle East and Europe, bringing catnip along too.
Catnip is often referred to as cat mint; you can purchase cat mint plants from your local nursery. The scientific name for catnip is “Nepeta cataria.” It is a perennial herb that can grow two or three feet high.
Catnip acts as a herbal stimulant for many cats. The effects of catnip vary from one cat to the next; some cats have no reaction to catnip whatsoever. Some people call catnip “pot” for cats. Your Ragdoll cat reacts to the herb by smelling it; if your cat is eating catnip it is trying to get at the smell by crushing it up with its teeth.
If your Ragdoll cat loves catnip, this herb is completely harmless and won’t turn your cat into a catnip junkie.