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So, nepetalactone can also be considered a mild feline aphrodisiac, which explains why some male cats often nibble on mint leaves when the females are on heat.Įvidently, the mild euphoria and pleasant aroma that your cat gets from nibbling on catnip appear to be beneficial for the cat. As a result, the cat will tend to enjoy the activities that naturally make it happy, such as playing, eating, and having sex. When your cat is in a state of euphoria, it feels energized and refreshed. The pleasant aroma and stimulating effects are attributed to nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient in catnip (and all other mints).īy imitating your cat’s natural sex pheromones, nepetalactone induces a mild euphoria.

But the main reasons are the attractive smell that the plant produces and the stimulating effects it has on cats. And there are plenty of reasons for that. CatnipĬatnip goes by numerous names, ranging from catmint, catswort, catwort, etc.Ĭatnip is the variant of mint plants that most cats are attracted to. Out of the numerous mint species out there, the following are the three main variants of the plant that cats are particularly interested in. The smell is attributed to the presence of a chemical known as nepetalactone, which closely resembles a cat’s pheromones. But just why do cats love mint, and why is my cat obsessed with mint?Īs we’ve already highlighted, the primary reason why your cat loves mint is the pleasant aroma that the mint plant produces. But for some reason, cats are attracted to the plant. And the next sections shall shed more light on that. The fact that mint produces a savory smell doesn’t make the plant safe for your feline friend. And that may have you wondering, is mint ok for cats? Though mint comprises of different species and hybrids, most of these plants pack the same compounds and cats react to them in a near-similar manner.įor instance, most mints exude a pleasant perfume, which is known to wow cats.

American wild, also known as Australian mint.

Banana (field) mint, also known as the Japanese peppermint.

Mint comes in various species as well as hybrids. Some of these plants are also used to make insecticides and modern pharmaceutical drugs. Instead, it’s a genus name that comprises certain plants in the Lamiaceae family.Īlso known as Mentha, plants in the mint family are mostly used as condiments as well as in folk medicine, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. Now, mint isn’t technically a plant by itself. You never know – the plant might be thriving in your backyard and your cat could be nibbling on its leaves without your knowledge.

Well, the safety of mint around cats shall become abundantly clear as you read on.īut first, let’s learn more about the mint plant so that you can have a better idea of what it is all about. Having already pointed out that cats should not have mint, your next concern might be, is mint safe around cats? Is Mint Good For Cats? A Look Into What Mint Is

Is Mint Bad For Cats? A Review of What Could Go Wrong.Is Mint Good For Cats? A Look Into What Mint Is.Read on as we dissent the topic further and unpack everything there is to know about cats and mint. So, not only should cats avoid the mint plant, but also every mint-based product. Mint leaves, flowers, stems, and the entire plant is laden with essential oils that are considered highly toxic to cats. The answer is no, mint is not safe for cats. Maybe, the question we should be settling is not whether your feline friend can have mint but if the herb is safe for your cat in the first place. For instance, you could be wondering, can cats have mint? However, when it comes to offering plant matter to your cats, there are always exceptions. Like most carnivorous animals, plant matter helps to relieve stomach upset and several other gastrointestinal complications. Indeed, if you’ve owned a cat for a fairly long duration, you must have realized that your feline friend often snacks on grass blades in your backyard. However, that doesn’t stop you from supplementing your kitto’s dietary needs with plant matter. Cats are obligate carnivores, which implies that they can survive exclusively on a diet of animal protein.