Thursday, November 15, 2012

Catnip Madness

I've been giving some thought to catnip. I'm not interested in it at all. The lady has a big old bag of super deluxe organic stuff which she sprinkled around and I showed no interest. She made a catnip toy and gave it to me. Not interested. So, when Sparky Spitfire passed along the "Bring on the Nip" award to me (thanks, Sparky), I started wondering, "why all the fuss about this herb, and why don't I like it?"



I found some interesting information.

"A cat liking catnip is an inherited trait, which is why some cats love it and some don’t. The response is due to an autosomal gene. When cats love this herb, they will roll in it, lick it, eat it and go crazy for a couple of minutes. The thing cats go wild about in catnip is a substance called nepetalactone, which causes a chemical reaction in the feline brain." [more info]

Then, I started wondering, "Do lions and tigers like catnip?"
Check out this website which has a great video of the big cats reacting to catnip. My favorite is the panther (of course!), followed by the two bobcats!

Since I don't have a photo of me rejecting catnip, here is one of me rubbing my scent on the wood at the bottom of the steps.

20 comments:

Fuzzy Tales said...

You know what? Nicki doesn't much like nip, either--except it makes him mean. If he gets any, he'll then go and attack Derry.

Derry, on the other hand, does like nip, but it only affects him for a minute or two, so not long at all.

Now, the outdoor stray the human feeds--he DOES like nip, big time!

The Furries of Whisppy said...

We aren't big fans of Nip though we might play with it for a while. But silvervine! Oh, that silvervine is something else. You've gotta put that on your Christmas wish list. :)

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

I like nip but I don't like it nearly as much as my Grandpa Bobo did. I prefer FOOD!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Sister Sascha doesn't care for the nip either, but I am glad to take her share.

Sparkle said...

I didn't used to like nip, but it kind of grew on me after a while. I will never be an insane nip head like my roommates are, though!

bethany925 said...

perhaps, King Mr. Black, you just hold your nip better than the rest of us lightweights. maybe you need your nepatalactone straight up.
pee ess - loved teh leopard.

CATachresis said...

You are a lucky guy, Mr B, not to be a a niphead. It is a burden some of us have to bear!!! ;)

Ivan from WMD said...

Well, I watched that video...I attack nip toys exactly the same way those kids attacked the bags! I am a notorious nip toy shredder.

Callie (a.k.a. Trouble) said...

Well, we love the nip around here, but the Mommie says that the cat before us did not care for it! You do not know what you are missing.

The Island Cats said...

We are nip heads...we admit it!! You can send us your nip!!

The Cat Guy said...

everyone loves the nip here! The more the better! That video of the big cats enjoying the nip was great! Glad to know the big kitties get the same pleasure!

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

That is a very naughty and cute face about your last photo! I just LOVE IT!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Hmm, maybe you should try silvervine?

I love nip, and I love silvervine... I am frightened of cat mint tho! Rumblemum doesn't know why, but I run whenever some comes near me!

Hammy doesn't really care for nip, but he does love silvervine.

Gigi said...

Sorry you don't like the Nip, King Mr. B (and maybe I better STICK to the "B" since evidently I've gone color-blind, ha ha meow!) We loved the video--the Panfur was my favorite too!

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Sound like you should try silvervine. It's like kitteh crack. Sooooo good!

Pretinha said...

Interesting, I thought everyone liked cats catnip.

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Leo didn't like nip at first, but now he LOVES it! It was funny when he used to run from it! Now he can hear the container opening and he comes running!

LP said...

Esme and Mitalee seem relatively indifferent to nip but Malou and Levon love it. Levon drools on any toy or pocket with nip! Interesting findings you discovered. Have you tried silvervine? We hear that many cats love it but we've never tried it.

the critters in the cottage xo

GLOGIRLY said...

You prefer a hunk of wood to CATNIP???
Silly, silly kitty.
; ) Katie

(just kidding...you know I luf you....besides, more catnip for me!) XO

Gigi said...

King Mr. Black--We must have a high-level meeting soon, as we have a royal event to plan. It will be happening just after the New Year, and will be your first official state occasion! More soon, but start grooming those furs and polishing your crown.