We finally know why cats love catnip: it protected their ancestors in the wild

[LiberalArkie]

If you have a cat — and I’m thinking at least, what, 2 or 3 Daily Kos users have cats, right? — you know what happens when they get a hold of a toy with catnip in it. They don’t just act happy; they rub their faces on it, they grab it with their front paws and kick it with their hind legs, they lick it, they roll on it, and so forth.

It seems strange that smelling this one particular plant should have such an effect on them. Did they evolve this for some reason, or is it just an accident, a coincidence? And if they did, how on Earth does it help them? How does flopping around on your belly in the wild help you survive or procreate?

Now researchers in Japan and the UK, led by Masao Miyazaki, have explained what they believe to be the solution, in Science Advances on January 20. Even your cat can be forgiven for missing this article, as there were a few other things going on that day.

Most of us with cats don’t get to see them interact with whole catnip plants, but when they do, the response is very similar. They like to rub their faces on it and chew on it...



Snip

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/1/22/2010968/-We-finally-know-why-cats-love-catnip-it-protected-their-ancestors-in-the-wild

[Hugin]

1. True story...

I once planted a bunch of 'nip in my backyard thinking it was some variety of heather.

When it bloomed every darn cat in the neighborhood was out there rolling around. They had come from miles around.

Combined with the bird feeders and baths, it was like a dawgone feline deli out there.

[LiberalArkie]

2. I am going to plant a lot of it.. the article says it is a mosquito repellent

[Hugin]

6. As a perennial it should do well...

As catbane it seems to have a 'season' where it's the most attractive to the kittehs.

The majority of the year they are indifferent to it.

[spinbaby]

7. Plant a variety called Purrsian Blue

My cats seem to not go for it at all even though it looks and smells like catnip. It’s a much tidier plant than standard catnip and has lovely blue flowers. I plant this up front to look pretty in my flower beds and plant regular catnip in back for the cats to gnaw on.

[Hugin]

9. Interesting.

I've noticed the attraction year to year is highly variable.

I don't know if it's the conditions of the plant's cycle, the cats, or both.

[LiberalArkie]

4. yes

[Hugin]

8. It would depend on if they were European or American felines...

I suppose.

Salad first or not?

[Ponietz]

10. Doesn't explain why cats act stoned on it, though

[marie999]

11. My cats like catnip because they are stoners.