Some cat products contain mixtures of two or more substances to increase the likelihood that your cat will react. Why do cats react to silvervine and catnip?

As its name suggests, catnip is a plant that cats find irresistibly appealing, producing euphoric effects in them. A recent ...

There's a scientific reason for the feline reaction: Catnip contains the oil nepetalactone, which binds to the cat's olfactory receptors in the nose and throat and causes a euphoric reaction for cats.

Cats react to catnip because of the presence of nepetalactone, a volatile oil present in the plant, which, when inhaled, essentially serves as an artificial pheromone for felines.

Catnip’s effect is caused by nepetalactone, which stimulates brain receptors and releases endorphins. Cats react by rolling on the catnip, and some become hyperactive or aggressive.

About thirty per cent of domestic cats, like Foo, show no reaction at all. Adult cats tend to react more than the very young or very old cats. Lions and tigers have both been shown to react to catnip.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll say it’s a feeling of extreme wellbeing and happiness – a ‘euphoric’ reaction. In this case, I think we can safely say catnip gets cats high.

Cats' reaction to catnip and silvervine is so ubiquitous that lead author Masao Miyazaki, an animal behavior researcher at Iwate University, had to know what was going on.

Cats go mad for catnip because chemicals released from the plant protect them against mosquitoes, according to new research.

Cats’ reaction to catnip and silvervine is so ubiquitous that lead author Masao Miyazaki, an animal behavior researcher at Iwate University, had to know what was going on.

Most cat owners know catnip as a treat for their feline friends to roll in and chew, but a new study finds that the common herb has qualities that repel mosquitoes.