What is catnip, how does Catnip make cats high?

Catnip grass (also known as dry cat grass , catnip grass for cats) is a plant species. It can stimulate cats to cause them to do some special actions. Let's learn about this special grass with Petshop

What is cat mint, dry cat grass?

Recently, we have received a lot of arguments about whether or not we should feed our dogs and cats with vegetables. How much to eat? How long does it take? And especially, there are opinions that affirm that cats and dogs are vegetarian and still healthy normally.

According to Dr. Lisa Weeth, a veterinary nutritionist , she usually does not recommend vegetarian diets for cats and dogs. The issue of nutrition for dogs and cats, whether meat or vegetable, also needs to provide enough essential nutrients in a balanced way. Ensure the comprehensive development of the pet. Especially between the ages of 2 and 15 months of life. This is nearly impossible with a completely vegetarian cat and dog diet.

In this article, we will gather international knowledge, scientific documents and consultations of domestic and foreign veterinarians to clarify all the above questions. If you are lazy to read the evidence, you can go straight to the conclusion at the end of the article.

First of all, we need to understand some scientifically proven axioms in cats about protein - Carbohydrate - Vitamin as follows:

Dogs and cats are carnivores. The instinct that Mother Nature gives to cats and dogs is to live and get energy from Protein and protein of animal origin. Not plants.
Dogs and cats have very little carbohydrate (starch-sugar) needs (2-5% of the diet). Because the cat's digestive system lacks the enzyme amylase (amilase) to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars.
Dogs and cats get vitamins from meat, offal and undigested food in the organs of animals they hunt. If there is a lack of vitamins, cats will instinctively eat some plants such as grass. But will not digest) to supplement.

The effect of catnip

The effect of dried catnip is to create an illusion. Kittens smell or taste it will have a stimulating effect, so it is used to train lions and tigers in circuses. It helps the beasts to become obedient and obedient. Catnip has effects similar to hallucinogens. Cats will gain excitement through their sense of smell and taste. The pet cat will roll back and forth on the ground, rubbing the flat surfaces with its face. It will even make a growl like when drunk.

According to foreign studies, catnip is a non-toxic natural herb that will not cause addiction to pet cats. Of course, there are some emperors who like mint grass, but there are also some who don't like mint grass, what is this about?

Ingredients of Catnip

Catnip catnip, including Nepeta, is a perennial, angiosperm herb. Flowers white or light green, leaves are serrated, fast growing, flowers grow in summer. Also called cat grass, which contains a chemical called nepetalactone, greasy, easy to make cats excited. It is like a sedative for humans, but it does not create a euphoric effect for humans, but instead works to make people relax, easy to sleep.

Catnip for cats has 2 types, leaf form and powder form, leaf form is the mint we often see, usually not suitable for use for kittens. Furthermore, cats under 3 months of stress may not respond to mint. In addition, if the cat's nature does not like "inhaling grass", there will be no reaction to them.

There are many products on the market, such as a snack, spray, packaged as a toy, the most popular is the dried catnip commonly found in the country, which is also available in foreign countries. Fresh mint herb is used exclusively for cats.

When should dry cat grass be used?

In general, do not give newborn cats catnip. Many owners suggest that cats before 8 months old should not be used. Wait until the pet cat slowly matures, can use an appropriate amount. For example, in the toy put some catnip, on the scratch pad put a little smell of catnip. This will make the kitten love to play with the toy, love to scratch it.

1. How to use and dosage: Each time you take about 2-3g, put it directly inside the toy or lay it out on a flat surface for your cat to smell or eat.

2. Product effectiveness: Catnip only works for a short time, so it is not addictive and also has no side effects. After use, for a period of time (5-15 minutes) they will change their behavior, such as sneezing, chewing, meowing, rolling back and forth on the ground, using their faces to rub surfaces, will even make a growl like when drunk. It works to help them relax, reduce stress, and quickly recover health.

Catnip catnip not only makes your cat excited and happy, but also helps your cat vomit out the tufts of hair in the intestines. About 80% of cats, when they smell this grass, will be extremely excited, like to bite and scratch, but that doesn't mean that they have to eat catnip to maintain their health, this product is not toxic, nor does it cause harm. addiction.