Does Catnip Calm Cats? Yes: And Here’s How You Can Stop a Hissy Fit...

We all know that life as a cat is mostly about catnip (free hit), cat-naps, cat snacks, grooming, and plotting the permanent, humiliating downfall of dogs. However, every now and then, even the coolest cat can lose their composure and throw a hissy fit. Whether it’s the dreaded cone of shame, that dribbling housemate who eats all the kibble, a dog that’s over-stepping, or humans ‘going on vacation’ and then coming back, just expecting us to be pleased to see them, sometimes, we all need to let off steam. And that’s fine. Until it isn’t. Until that hissy fit turns into a hyped-up hurricane of red-raw rage, and everyone gets a little bit scared. 

But panic-ye-not. There are ways and means to mollify even the moodiest of pussycats, to calm the most sickening of psychopaths, the most demanding of divas. Today, we’re going to share them. Let’s look at how to deal with the kind of anxiety, anger management issues, and general stroppiness that we cats all experience from time to time.

What is Catnip?

Before we get into the specifics, let’s go back to the basics, where all the answers usually lie: catnip. Catnip is a herb from the cat mint family, containing a magical ingredient called nepetalactone. But what does catnip do to cats? Nepetalactone binds to cat-specific receptors in our noses, triggering that burst of euphoria which can lead to an all-around good time. But some cats – and many humans – still don’t see the important role that catnip (formerly seen solely as a so-called “party drug” for cats free hit) also has for our basic well-being. 

Let’s look at some classic occasions where catnip can help…

The Cone of Shame: The Ultimate Indignity

We’ve all been there: one minute, you’re the walking embodiment of slick superiority - a sophisti-cat – the next, you’ve got a lame eye and you’ve been struck down with the cone of shame. You can pretend you’re OK with it, but the fact is, everyone’s laughing, and you know it. A meltdown is inevitable. The solution? Try some high-quality catnip, and allow the soothing powers of Whiskerland’s most helpful herb to wash over you and chill your boots. 

Food Fights: When Housemates Make You Hangry

Nothing turns a good day bad like discovering that your housemate has gobbled all the goodies. Hangry doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you’re prone to food-related hissy fits, it’s time to call in the big guns. Catnip toys will soon take your mind off negative thoughts about your nutrient-nicking nemesis.

Anxiety: Losing the Silent (but deadly) Stalker

Cat anxiety can be triggered by many things: a new environment, loud noises, or even just a change in routine. Just take a chill pill – a sprinkle of your favorite dried catnip, or a modest squirt on a cozy blanket in a cardboard box, can create an instant safe place, where those intrusive feelings of anxiety won’t be able to reach you.

Anger Management: Dialling Down the ‘Hard Stare’

You know the look: that hard, unblinking stare you give your human when they’ve done something unforgivable, like leaving your food bowl empty. You need to dial it down a bit—they’re only human; they ‘know not what they do. So give them a chance. Manage your righteous anger by zonking out on a heavy cat nip session—soon, you won’t even remember what they did wrong and will just want to lick them with your horrible, sandpapery tongue.

Humans: Ignoring is Bliss

Alternatively, another highly effective way to show your displeasure is to ignore your human completely, E.G., after they’ve returned from a trip away. They do need to understand the full weight of their betrayal – we’re not suggesting some kind of toxic paw-sitivity here, whereby you pretend things that are not OK, are actually fine – but holding onto that grudge can eat you up. Instead, ignore and then distract. It’s hard to stay mad when you’re rolling around in euphoric delight, wondering why the sky’s gone purple and your best mate has turned into a goldfish. (To read just how little some humans know about catnip, check out this previous article about the Science of Catnip here).

What Does Catnip Do to Cats? The Science Bit

Before we end this section on catnip, wouldn’t it be terrific if we got scientific? Why does catnip make cats crazy? Let’s take a look again. When we sniff catnip, nepetalactone sends signals to the brain that mimic feline pheromones. This can lead to a variety of reactions, from the playful energy bursts it is best known for to the mellow mood enhancement we’ve looked at today. It’s important to remember that catnip can do this – good quality, fully natural catnip is 100% non-toxic and aids your body and mind in a wide-ranging, holistic way. So don’t just think of it as a fun-gun, there to shoot your way to happiness – it’s also about calming you down, when you’re in need of a bit of a hug.

And if not Catnip – Then What?

While catnip is fantastic, it’s not the only way to calm a cat down – in fact, up to 1/3 of cats don’t have the catnip gene, which enables them to fully benefit from its, er, benefits. For the unlucky 1 in 3, there may well be some placebo effect when catnip is taken alongside others – after all, the joy and calm of those around us inevitably rubs off – but it’s also worth considering some additional ways of tackling aggression and anxiety:

• Laps – Laps are great places for a bit of body-on-body joy. Really dig those claws in to make it all the more enjoyable – humans love that.
• Play – Fighting a dust bunny, table-tennis-ball hockey, manically leaping about in pursuit of a dangled piece of string. These are all great ways to let off steam and get some natural feel-good hormones coursing through your veins.
• Pheromone diffusers - These can also go a long way to reducing heightened states of anxiety if a cat is feeling particularly under threat. 
• Dietary supplements - Look out for treats and medicines containing ingredients such as casein, magnolia, L-theanine, whey protein, melatonin, ginger, L-tryptophan, thiamine, and colostrum – these may all have a calming effect.

So, does catnip calm cats? Absolutely! It’s a versatile herb that can help with a range of feline emotions, from anxiety to outright furry fury. So next time you see or feel a hissy fit coming on, reach for some Cat Crack (free hit) and let nature take its course. And if your so-called ‘owner’ is on the verge of being an exploding kitten human? Then, get them to grab some fresh leaves and brew some catnip tea. It won’t have any actual ‘crazy’ effects on them whatsoever, but if it helps them feel involved, and as a result, we get treats, fine.

For more ways to calm cats, head here and here.

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