I have one cat, in particular, that is what I call a "mean drunk." If he smells catnip, he MUST have it right then. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get this treat. Whenever another cat approaches him, he will attack them to protect his catnip. I think it is his drug of choice. Once the toy is removed, our kitty is friendly and happy once again.
So, what's the deal with catnip? Why does it make normally docile kitties go wild for a short period of time?
I've always been curious about this herb. It turns out that catnip is actually part of the mint family. Can you believe that? It does not smell like any sort of mint I would ever want to taste. Our cats are attracted to the scent of catnip, but this attraction is short lived. If a cat is freshly exposed to a sprinkling of the herb, they literally act crazy. It is their instinct to rub the smell all over their body. They may even try to lick it up.
There is a chemical in the catnip called nepetalactone. Humans do not respond to this chemical, so it is difficult for scientists to understand why cats have the reaction that they do. Something about the intense scent of this chemical triggers a response in the cat's brain. Don't worry, however, your kitty cannot overdose on catnip.
After a few minutes, most cats lose interest in the herb. This happens once they become accustomed to the smell. Some cats are able to walk away rather quickly, while others may take a little more time rubbing their face in it. If you try to reintroduce the catnip right after they leave, they will not have the same reaction. You have to wait a few hours for the cat to forget the smell to encourage another wild response.
Not all cats respond to catnip. I've personally never met a kitty that did not go crazy for the stuff, but they are supposedly out there. Does your cat have a wild reaction to the smelly herb?