catnip not working?

Hi guys, I am pretty new to the cat care, I have been with my kitty for only 4 months and she is my first cat ever, and to this forum and I have a question for you guys.
Maybe my question is quite stupid, but I really don't know: Recently I got a bag of catnip but it seems my cat completely ignore the catnip. Isn't supposed to be something cats love? How do you administer to them? You just put some herbs in their food cup, and they will eat them, or you have to make some kind of infusion with it?

Many thanks,

P.S. She is the kitty I got from a shelter a few months ago:

If your cat isn't interested in catnip, it propably never will be. Some cats just are not. Actually if I remember correctly almost 50% of cats are not interested. I have two cats who have never been interested in catnip. I hoped they would be because I've heard they are really cute if they like it.
You just have to find something else really interesting.

Oh and that is a truly beautiful cat. You are going to have lots of fun with her.

Kiitoos Paljon Satu! that's basically all the finnish I know

First welcome to TCS and comgradulations on your first cat (she is beautiful).

Secondly - If I remember correctly (I may be wrong here) - up to 30% or so of cats are not affected by catnip. (You can try fresh catnip to see if it has any affect). So you will probably have to try other toys to keep her occupied.

I have two cats and I have one that is not affected by catnip in any way so don't feel bad about it.

I agree, your kitty is lovely (and has a bit of a sassy look to her)

For cats to respond to catnip they both have to have inherited certain genes, and have reached sexual maturity....I generally don't recommend catnip toys for kittens.

Cats who don't respond to catnip, often will respond to the "uncatnip" - honeysuckle, and a third choice are toys made with valerian root

I read recently that catnip is not effective on kittens or older cats. Mine are 4 and 6 and just got some catnip for them. They LOVED it!! I'm not sure if they loved it as much as I loved watching them eat and play in it. Of course, I haven't seen that reaction since. Supposidly they need time to "reset" their nose.

Good luck with your kitty...very sweet looking!

We had a cat, Rosie, who we rescued as a feral kitten and she lived with us for 14 years before she died and she never was interested in catnip.

I think that she was the only cat we've ever had that wasn't interested in catnip though!

If you are putting it in her bowl, she may not react to it. Molly does not get all hyped up by catnip, but she loves eating it. Paige rolls in it. If you have carpeting, I suggest sprinkling some on the floor close to her, so she can rub in it? Instead of it in the bowl.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

I agree, your kitty is lovely (and has a bit of a sassy look to her)

For cats to respond to catnip they both have to have inherited certain genes, and have reached sexual maturity....I generally don't recommend catnip toys for kittens.

Cats who don't respond to catnip, often will respond to the "uncatnip" - honeysuckle, and a third choice are toys made with valerian root

Click to expand...

Really? I have catnip mice toys for my 7 mo. old kitten, Dakota and she loves those things. She'll bat them around so hard, they'll fly up in the air and across the room.

I was not aware that catnip toys weren't good for kittens. Any particular reason why? Will my cat become a junky?

Seriously though, if they're bad for kittens, I'll take them away and get her a suitable alternative then.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Cats who don't respond to catnip, often will respond to the "uncatnip" - honeysuckle, and a third choice are toys made with valerian root

Click to expand...

Sierra enjoys all of the above! I was especially surprised by her incredible reaction to valerian root! I would strongly recommend Pat's store ! She carries only the best!

Just wondering... how DOES a cat react to catnip? I think Bay's too young (6 months) or else she just isn't into it.

Originally Posted by buckeye23

Really? I have catnip mice toys for my 7 mo. old kitten, Dakota and she loves those things. She'll bat them around so hard, they'll fly up in the air and across the room.

I was not aware that catnip toys weren't good for kittens. Any particular reason why? Will my cat become a junky?

Seriously though, if they're bad for kittens, I'll take them away and get her a suitable alternative then.

Click to expand...

You misunderstood....they aren't "bad", they are just generally useless for young kittens. At 7 months, many cats have had their first heat or if a male kitten, are becoming interested in girls, so they have reached the age of sexual maturity, and it's a fine age to give them catnip toys!

It's the toys designed for and pushed for 8 and 12 week old kittens etc. that I don't recommend to my customers (except for KirbySticks, as they are so bendable, and so much fun to wrassle with, it doesnt matter that they are a catnip toy that a young kitten may not respond to the catnip portion of the toy).

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Just wondering... how DOES a cat react to catnip? I think Bay's too young (6 months) or else she just isn't into it.

Click to expand...

It takes two things...being old enough and having inherited the right genes. At six months, if Baylee hasn't yet had even a brief heat, it's possible she's just not old enough, but it's getting to the age I'd expect to see a reaction from her.

I'd try honyesuckle or valerian toys with her to see what happens (and, try a really potent catnip product such as organic budz to be sure that she just isn't a catnip responder when she's a bit older). Catnip buds have the highest concentration of the essential oil of the catnip plant, and therefore the highest concentration of nepetalactone, the active ingredient that cats who respond to catnip are responding to).

hth,

Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

Sierra enjoys all of the above! I was especially surprised by her incredible reaction to valerian root!

I would strongly recommend Pat's store ! She carries only the best!

Click to expand...

Thank you (Alix says "but of course! I tested them all myself!" )

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

It takes two things...being old enough and having inherited the right genes. At six months, if Baylee hasn't yet had even a brief heat, it's possible she's just not old enough, but it's getting to the age I'd expect to see a reaction from her.

Click to expand...

"heat"? But she's spayed and was spayed at 3 months... I feel confused.

I'll try those that you recommended to see what happens...

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

"heat"? But she's spayed and was spayed at 3 months... I feel confused.

I'll try those that you recommended to see what happens...

Click to expand...

rofl...it's just 7ish my time, I'm really not awake. I should have remembered that Baylee is already spayed, so you'd not ever see her have a heat cycle


Just going on age, many cats would have had that first cycle by 6 to 7 months, but not all, so I can't say if she's old enough, but I'd try the alternatives, and maybe try catnip budz with her when she's bit older. If she doesn't respond to good quality catnip buds when she's older, I doubt she'll ever respond to anything catnip

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

You misunderstood....they aren't "bad", they are just generally useless for young kittens. At 7 months, many cats have had their first heat or if a male kitten, are becoming interested in girls, so they have reached the age of sexual maturity, and it's a fine age to give them catnip toys!

It's the toys designed for and pushed for 8 and 12 week old kittens etc. that I don't recommend to my customers (except for KirbySticks, as they are so bendable, and so much fun to wrassle with, it doesnt matter that they are a catnip toy that a young kitten may not respond to the catnip portion of the toy).

Click to expand...

Ahh...yes, I totally missed the ball on that one.

Thanks for clearing that up Pat... I felt so confused!