The History of Catnip

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint family and has been around for millennia. It is native to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It famously causes cats to act playful and frenzied. Roughly 70% of adult domestic cats respond to catnip, as do some big cats, including lions, leopards, and jaguars. Kittens are not affected.  Interestingly, the cats that respond to catnip are native to the Americas, meaning that they would not have encountered the plant earlier on in their evolutionary history. The key chemical in catnip is called nepetalactone and its effects on cats are activated by scent, not taste or touch. However, catnip does not produce the chemical to activate cats. Instead, the chemical serves a purpose for these plants, helping to protect them from aphids by attracting aphid predators to the area. Interestingly, humans sometimes use catnip as an insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches. However, catnip is by far most famous for its effect on cats. It is also often planted in home gardens across the United States today (both for aesthetic reasons and to delight cats), although it is considered invasive in some areas.