We love to watch our kitties play with this plant, a relative of the mint family. As far as we know catnip, Nepeta Canaria, is harmless to cats in moderate doses. Once they smell the stems and leaves (the best part), they go wild. From zoomies to an enviable state of relaxation, catnip affects cats in different ways, and not all cats are so affected. They may even fall asleep minutes after enjoying the plant.

Catnip has a history with humans going back hundreds of years. The country of Etruria, a part of Italy nearly 3000 years ago, has been suggested as an area where the residents discovered catnip’s effect on cats. It has also been used for making tea for the rest of us.

Cats possess a scent organ on the roof of their mouths called a vomeronasal gland. The gland sends catnip’s odor directly to the brain. Crushing the leaves can quickly release some of the plant’s essence. Catnip is not considered a drug because it’s only the scent that inspires cats, like pleasant odors affect us.

Next time you are at your pet store, ask for fresh catnip from a reputable company. You may also inquire about a similar cat lure: Silvervine: Actinidia polygamy. A relative of the kiwi family it is also known as matatabi, a Japanese native plant. It has been shown to improve dental health, along with other benefits.