In this latest outing of our Tails of the City strand, we again meet some of the many and varied catizens of Whisker City, who tell us about their lives. (Check out Tails of the City 1 to meet more fascinating characters from across our cat capital).
In Tails of the City, we use one of life's BIG QUESTIONS as our way into the dreams, dramas, and daily lives of the ordinary cats who make Whisker City the greatest place on earth, above even Mew York or Purris, home to the recent Olympic Games. (Check out our article about the Cat Olympics).
Over the centuries, such questions – the ones which paralyze you mid-lick, so you can't possibly move on until you've fobbed yourself off with an acceptable answer – have included:
- What is the meaning of life?
- Why do I feel funny when I see that other cat?
- How do doors work?
- Has anyone ever come up with a good reason for dogs?
- Why are table tennis balls so amazing?
Today though, we live in a different world, and as hard as it is for some of us 'olds' to accept, things have changed. Kittens may have the same questions we've always had, but they also have new ones, such as:
- When do I become a YouTuber?
- What is my pronoun?
- Who the heck is Brad Pitt Kitt – is he, like, 200 years old?
Let's embrace these new perspectives and encourage cats to be open and honest, especially about subjects that used to be off-limits, like catnip.
What is Catnip, and What Does Catnip do to Cats?
It may be difficult for younger generations to imagine, but there was a time in our rather puritanical past, where the immense joy that catnip brings, made it hard for cats to admit using it. Now thankfully, we talk about it freely – but in case you've been living under Ayers Rock, Fraggle Rock or The Rock, here's a quick Catnip 101: catnip is a harmless herb from the cat mint family, containing an active ingredient called nepetalactone which makes us feel fabulous! But still, some have concerns. So let's alleviate them. Let's meet six more Whisker City kitties, as they tell us:
Can Cats Overdose On Catnip?
No – it Keeps Me Calm
Name: Dave
Breed: Maine Coon
Can cats OD on catnip? No. When I was younger, I was diagnosed with FRAP Syndrome, meaning I had Frenetic Random Activity Periods – aka 'Bad Zoomies.' Zoomies are natural, but I was hyperactive all the time. I was forever climbing curtains for no reason, or sprinting out of rooms when you'd least expect it. It was, they said, "annoying". One hit of Cat Crack though (free hit), and I'm cool as a cucumber. And you don't really want two hits, so you can't overdose – the active ingredient (nepetalactone) stops working after about 15 minutes. You can get an upset tummy and feel a bit groggy – but if you learn to know your cat nip limits, that's easily avoidable.
No – it Stops Me From Getting Bored
Name: Stud Muffinette
Breed: Persian
Can cats OD on catnip? No. I've had a catnip hangover – sniffed a bit too much, felt a bit squiffy – but that's it. Adult cat life can be pretty cat-dang dull. When you're a kitten, it's all losing lives and chasing tails. But when you become a mama, life changes. Suddenly you're a feline food pump. Catnip? It's the only fun I have! It's mama-time, baby! Can cats overdose on catnip? Well I'm not a scientist, but it's a herb right? The most unpleasant after-effect I've had is an upset tummy after a massive session. I've had worse from milk.
No – it Promotes Exercise
Name: Prince Garry
Breed: British Shorthair
Can cats OD on catnip? I used to be fat, I mean really fat. I was once mistaken for a cushion. They even replaced the cat flap with a 'small animal flap.' The humiliation! That's when I discovered the Catnip Diet*. Every hit's a workout – rolling, writhing, stretching, pouncing, flipping. Thanks to catnip, I'm half the cat I used to be, and I've never had 'too much.' It doesn't really work like that – after a while, the effects wear off, and you just chill. That's when I have to remember to sleep, not eat! (*The Catnip Diet does not exist).
No – it Relieves Pain
Name: Evil Knieval
Breed: Sphynx
Can cats OD on catnip? I can categorically state that cats cannot OD on catnip – because I've tried! I'm a stunt cat, so I've always got aches and pains, cuts and bruises. And well, I don't like popping painkillers. My old man used to say, "if it's not from nature, it's not gonna nurture" – so I guess I'm kinda cynical about Big Pussycat Pharma. You'd think I might need loads of catnip to smooth away those rough edges, but I don't. It's like a warm dust bath or a saucer of cool milk: it makes you feel better, naturally, but you don't want to keep doing it. It works on you for 'so' long, and then you stop.
No – it Reduces Anxiety
Name: Trembles
Breed: Scottish Fold
Can cats OD on catnip? No way! I used to suffer from terrible anxiety. Anything could set me off. Not just the usual things – a toaster popping, the sound of a vacuum cleaner, dogs off leads – anything. I found making friends difficult, and I looked a mess. Nowadays, catnip is my 'safe space.' It keeps my nerves under control, and it's wonderful for mindfulness. Some may see a temptation to have 'too much' – but we all have an in-built cut off. A session only lasts 15 minutes, then we kinda lose interest. It takes a while before we're ready to go again.
No – it's Good for Cats
Name: Moonshine
Breed: Siamese
Can cats OD on catnip? No. I used to do catnip because it was 'naughty' – because other cats sniffed at it. They didn't actually sniff at it, and that was the problem. They were sniffy about it, so I did it just to get a reaction, because when you're a cool cat like me, bad is good. But in truth, deep down, I always knew it was healthy: fun, relaxing, good for exercise… what's not to love? Nowadays, all the mainstream moggies are catching on, so it's not so cool anymore, and I'm tempted to spread the lie that cats can OD on cat nip – but they can't, and I'll always keep doing it. It's just my guilty pleasure.
Is Catnip Safe for Cats?
Absolutely! Cat nip is a 100% natural, non-toxic, and non-addictive herb – it's perfectly safe to sniff, lick, or eat, and cats cannot overdose on it. So whether we're licking Cat Crack (free hit) off the floor, playing with catnip toys, munching on a catnip treat, or sipping on some homemade catnip tea, you can rest assured we're enjoying ourselves safely. Sure, moderation is key – too much of a good thing (and catnip's a VERY good thing!) can give you the ick, so please help us catnip responsibly – but catnip will never harm or poison us.
You can read more about catnip safety here.
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