Research article Catnip part II
How do cats react to catnip and other plants used for scent stimulation
Part II
Research done in the United States compared the effects of Catnip, Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) and Silver vine (Actinidia polygama) in 100 adult, sterilized cats.
Researchers observed cats for 10 minutes and considered they had a positive response when they presented active behavior (rolling over, smell, lick the source of the plant, rub their cheeks and other).
Of the 100 cats evaluated, 94% reacted with at least one of the plants used. The one with most positive reactions was silver vine with 79%, followed by catnip (68%), Tatarian honeysuckle (53%) and valerian (47%).
Conclusions
The various plant materials tested had high percentage of positive responses.
They can be used in different situations, such as, increase the activity in cats with obesity issues, in under-stimulated cats and given to cats for distraction when left alone for a long time.
In animal shelters could be used to increase the interaction between shy cats and volunteers to help them socialize.
References:
Bol, S., Caspers, J., Buckingham, L., Anderson-Shelton, G. D., Ridgway, C., Buffington, C. T., … & Bunnik, E. M. (2017). Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC veterinary research, 13(1), 70.