When it comes to catnip and cat grass, people often confuse the two. However, these terms refer to very different plants with distinct effects on cats. One stimulates them and triggers euphoric reactions, while the other satisfies their natural chewing needs. Discover their particularities and benefits to offer your pet an experience tailored to their needs.
What is Catnip?
Catnip originates from several plants found in Europe and East Asia, including catmint, marjoram, and matatabi. These plants contain a substance that causes temporary euphoric reactions in many cats when they smell or ingest them. The most common reactions include:
- Intense sniffing
- Licking, chewing, and head shaking
- Chin and neck rubbing
- Rolling on their back
- Excited kneading
- Frenzied running around the house
Some cats become more affectionate, while others may respond with more agitated or even aggressive behavior. The effect varies from one individual to another and typically lasts a few minutes before fading completely.
What is Cat Grass?
Unlike catnip, cat grass typically sold commercially resembles long blades of grass. It is actually young shoots of grasses like barley, wheat, or oats, or sometimes the plant Cyperus alternifolius.
Cats love to chew on it, but the exact reasons remain uncertain. Some believe it helps to pass hairballs, while others suggest it’s an instinctual behavior to remove intestinal parasites. One thing is for sure: cat grass does not have the euphoric effects of catnip.
Why Offer One or the Other to Cats?
Catnip can be very useful for stimulating a cat and encouraging them to adopt certain positive behaviors, such as:
- Using a scratching post
- Sleeping in their own bed
- Getting physical exercise with a scented toy
It can also simply be a fun treat for them! Available in granules, powder, or oil, it is also found integrated into toys.
Cat grass, on the other hand, satisfies the natural chewing urge without the risk of ingesting toxic plants. It can be found in mature plants ready to use or seeds to grow in a planter.
In Brief
Catnip and cat grass have very different effects, but each offers benefits for your feline companion. Whether for entertainment or meeting an instinctual need, these plants are excellent options to enrich their environment.
