it's a plant.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains a substance called cis-transnepetalactone which when inhaled or eaten is thought to be hallucinogenic through the stimulation of centres in the brain. However, only about 50-70% of cats show the typical behavioural response - so there may be a genetic basis to the behaviour.
Typically behaviour includes :
Excited hunting and attacking
Rubbing
Shaking
Increased salivation
Rolling
Jumping
After a while the cat becomes immune to the effects.
( ,
Fri 13 Jan 2006, 23:58,
archived)
Typically behaviour includes :
Excited hunting and attacking
Rubbing
Shaking
Increased salivation
Rolling
Jumping
After a while the cat becomes immune to the effects.