What is Catnip?

Answers:
It is a member of the mint family that cats are naturally attracted to. When eaten it causes them to become more frisky and playful.

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its a 'treat' you give to cats. it is, in some ways, like a drug for them, but it doesnt harm them in any way.

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It's just an herb that some (but not all) cats go crazy over. Put it in their toys and if your cat likes it, he will sniff it and roll in it and act like a kitten again for a few minutes. We always know when Cleo has gotten into the catnip because she gets "crazy eyes"!

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Like weed for cats I've heard lol. It's just like a treat something that cats are fond of and it's often use for training, added playful mood, or just because. Doesn't hurt them.

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It's just an herb that most cats get high from. Doesn't work that way for people. Some cats could care less about my cats love it. The fresher it is the better. It makes them very happy;^)

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An herb. Like parsley.

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when you get bit thats a cat nipping you.

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It is an herb. It has an odd smell to it too. Manufactuers of cat scratchers put it into the carpet fibers to attract your cats to the scratching post instead of your sofa. Your cats will see it as a treat. Dont give them too much though, it can make them ill. Just a tiny sprinkle or a pinch of catnip will do. You can purchase it in a flaky form at Retailers in the pet isle

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It's a plant for cats and it makes them go crazy it is like crack for kitties. They sorta look like clovers but when crushed you can put it in toys and they go crazy over it tossing it everywhere etc.

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Yeah, but do they get the munchies and then eat all your peanut butter?

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Catnip is a herb from the mint family, it smells to cats like pheromones (sex hormones) so most cats love it. It will make the cat play full and excited, some times to the extreme of scratching or baiting u in play.
It can also be used in cocking.
I have read this literature but i have not been brave enough to tray it on my self so I quot: "If smoked it produces a mild feeling of euphoria"

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Catnip comes from Nepeta plants. The leaves are often chopped and crushed and resembles oregano. Catnip is either put inside cat toys or can be sprinkled on or near your cat. When eaten or in contact with your animal, it will react with oils in their skin and can cause a brief stimulating, drug-like effect; however it is safe and legal. Often times cats will eat it, roll in it, and rub on it as it can be absorbed into the skin. It has no effect on humans.

Cats that eat catnip or are exposed to it can become hyper, euphoric, extremely playful, and a bit nutty. The effects will last from a few minutes to about a half an hour, and are not perminant or damaging in any way. Some have compared it to legal marajuana for animals, although that is not the case.

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http://www.hdw-inc.com/catnip.htm...
This website explains all about catnip.
This website explains how it works:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question303...
Hope this helps explain it.

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Catnip is an all natural product.
In fact catnip (Nepata cataria) is a plant. It's a perennial herb from the mint family that grows naturally.
Catnip plants originated from the Mediterranean, but is now found growing through out North America.
It is likely that catnip is growing somewhere on your block and is probably viewed as a weed by some of your neighbors. Some of your neighbors, but not all of them. Catnip is grown by many people for human use as a soothing pleasant tea to relieve upset stomachs, hysteria, nervousness, and headaches. It is used for cooking, potpourri, soap-making, candle-making, and aromatics.
And of course lets not forget most cats absolutely adore catnip

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Part of the mint family, it's almost like a drug for cats. Has a pseudosexual response for a while then the cat ignores it for a while, only to come back and go thorugh it all again.
Even lions react to it. Kittens under 3 months old are immune to it, and 10% - 30% of adults do not have any response to it.

Don't confuse True Catnip with true catmint and looks a bit different. All in all there are 250 in the species group
Please see this link, it shows the difference very well:
http://fay.iniminimo.com/herbs.html...

Valerian root a herb with effects very similar to catnip and generally makes cats a bit nuts. It is however not as readily available as catnip and perhaps a bit more potent than catnip.

mikecujosdad, some friends of mine tried that - it's only in very large quantities that that apparently happens, and the illness you feel afterwards was apparently simply not worth the effort, LOL.