researchers have figured out what it is about catnip that cats go crazy for...
https://phys.org/news/2022-06-cats-catnip-strange-reactions-insect.html
https://phys.org/news/2022-06-cats-catnip-strange-reactions-insect.html
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Catnip...for those who wanted to know...
- Thread starter beenherebeforeagain
- Start date
vulcanlogician
Well-Known Member
That's interesting. I wouldn't think there would be such a strong instinctual desire to contact insect repellants. But I guess so...
I guess nobody likes bug bites.
exchemist
Veteran Member
Interesting as far as it goes, but leaves a lot of open questions. If it enables cats to avoid being bitten by mosquitos this needs to be tested, not just speculated. And how do we know it is mosquitos they want to repel? It could be fleas, or something else. And why, if this is so effective, is it only cats that have worked this out?
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I don't think that's what a cat is thinking albiet the benefits. They still seem pretty 'intoxicated' to me!
For the same reasons some plants work for us and not others. Exposure, and the ability of chemical brain receptors to recieved it.
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Clearly, they've worked it out because they are gods
Evolution: Cats who react positively to catnip by chewing, licking, and rolling, etc., have a higher probability of surviving and successfully reproducing than those who do not respond positively to it.
I wanted to know.
Gargovic Malkav
Well-Known Member
My cats hate catnip.
I still put the catnip to good use because you can make a decent tea out of it.
My cats do seem to get intoxicated by the smell of my sweat though.
The armpit areas of my shirts makes them go crazy after I've worn them on a hot day.
I still put the catnip to good use because you can make a decent tea out of it.
My cats do seem to get intoxicated by the smell of my sweat though.
The armpit areas of my shirts makes them go crazy after I've worn them on a hot day.
I have one cat that loves nothing more than a pair of dirty underwear.
Gargovic Malkav
Well-Known Member
exchemist
Veteran Member
But that doesn’t make sense. The claim is this cat behaviour deters biting insects, not that cats just happen to like the smell. If it deters biting insects for cats, why not other furry mammals too: dogs, rabbits, gerbils, weasels, rats..............? Why should this supposedly evolutionary trait have developed only in cats?
I am sceptical, as I suspect there could equally well be an explanation related To @JustGeorge ’s dirty knickers, etc. It could be the scent has some of the same elements as cat scent glands, or something like that, which could account for why it is specific to cats.
Yerda
Veteran Member
When we had cats I planted catnip in the garden, they would remove the leaves as fast as it was growing, had to have several plants. But it wasn't 'till much later when I discovered what I think it was that drew them to the plant. I always had chewing gun in my purse, very often I would find a stick of gum, still there but with several teeth marks in it. Found out it was the mint in the gum and in the catnip they were hooked on.