As a rule, kittens must be at least 6 months to a year old to react to catnip. So, if you have a young kitten, it's probably best to wait until they're fully grown before giving them cat nip. While it's not harmful to kittens, it may not have any effect, so it's better to wait until it does.
My name is Dr. Julius Scratch, and I'm being held against my will. After the mayor canned me from his so-called Catnip Task Force, some of his goons abducted me from my apartment. That was several hours ago, and we've been on the move since. First, a car ride, then a van, and now we're marching through some subterranean lair.
My mind raced. Where were we going? Was there a bathroom? I really have to pee. I would've done it before we left if I had known it would take this long. If only.
Finally, we stopped. I could hear the faint sound of water dripping. The two goons remained silent, their heavy breathing next to my ears. One of them pounded on a door, and I could hear the sound of rust metal as it swung open.
As we entered, I detected a floral scent. Could that be perfume? Where are we?
Suddenly, the bag was pulled off my head. There was a single dangling light in the room, but it seemed positively blinding at first. It took me a few moments to get my bearings.
The goons sat me in an old wooden chair. Part of me wondered if I could get splinters from it since it was so old. I tried not to think about it.
"So, you're Dr. Scratch," a female cat played with my name like a kitten with a ball of yarn. She leaned against the back of another wooden chair opposite me.
"Um, before we start, can I use the bathroom? I've been holding it in for a long time," I sheepishly raised my hand. I hoped they would appreciate my submissiveness and oblige my request. I didn't want to ruin these pants.
"Uh, sure. Down the hall and to the right. Gates, go with him." the female cat was surely in charge. She snapped her fingers, and one of the goons followed me to the bathroom.
What are Some Catnip Benefits?
Catnip is beneficial for cats in a few ways. First, it can help alleviate stress. When cats sniff a small amount of cat nip, they feel more relaxed and playful. Second, catnip can aid with depression and anxiety. However, cat nip loses its effectiveness the more you use it, so it's best to give it to your cat only when they need it.
As I washed my hands, my heart pounded in my chest. I was scared, but for some reason, I didn't fear for my life. Something told me these people didn't drag me here to hurt me. But why go through all the trouble otherwise?
Back in the chair room, the female cat was now sitting, arms crossed in contempt. "Do you always take that long?" She asked.
"Sorry, I have some periodic IBS, and stressful events can trigger it," I replied.
"Don't mention it. Sit down." She motioned.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" She replied.
"I mean, how does the mayor want to do this? Am I just going to disappear or will the news find my body somewhere?"
She laughed. Not just a chuckle, but a full, hearty, belly laugh. It took a minute for her to calm down.
"You think we're with the mayor's office? The mayor doesn't have the guts to do something like this," she chuckled as she spoke. She wiped a tear from her face.
"So, who are you with?" I asked.
Her face turned serious. "I'm not at liberty to divulge that information. But let's just say we're on the same side. You know all about catnip benefits, and you have the science to back it up."
"Well, I did. At least until the mayor shut my lab down," I sighed.
"You don't have copies of your work anywhere?" She asked.
"I mean, they're all at the lab. But there are a couple of backup drives in hidden locations. If I can get into the building, I can retrieve them," I explained.
She pondered my proposition for a moment.
What Age Can Cats Have Catnip?
Typically, the best age for a cat to have catnip is around a year old. Some kittens may react to it as young as six months. Cats are technically adults at a year, so that is often a great time to start giving them catnip.
"We have a contact at Cat News Meow. He said if we can get him some cold, hard, data, his channel will share it live on air. We believe that could be the best chance to push legalization in Whisker City. Are you sure you can get your data out of your old lab?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm 95 percent certain," I replied.
"Good enough for me. I'll discuss the particulars with my superiors. Until then, we'd like you to shoot a couple of PSAs. Our contact says if you can speak to the benefits of catnip, that can help sell the story to the public."
"We're going to shoot them here? It looks like I'm a hostage," I replied.
"We'll fix it in post, don't worry," she explained.
One of the goons handed her a small camcorder with a fuzzy mic on top of it. She fumbled with the controls, and suddenly, a light turned on, shining in my face.
"Whenever you're ready," she said.
"Wait, what do I say?" I asked.
"Oh, um, I'll ask questions, and you answer them. Here we go-"
What is Catnip?
Catnip is a natural plant called nepeta cataria. It's closely related to mint, and it contains a volatile oil called Nepetalactone, which interacts with a cat's sense of smell.
Can Cats Eat Catnip?
Yes, fresh catnip is best for ingesting, and it will help cats calm down and feel drowsy. Too much can cause a tummy ache, though, so it's best to eat it in moderation.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
When a cat sniffs fresh or dried catnip, they often feel euphoric and playful. Most cats start rolling around in the 'Nip, while others may start playing.
So, is a Cat Scratch Post a Good Place for Catnip?
Yes, hiding catnip in a scratching post or toys can make the experience more enjoyable. This way, the cat can play with these items while under the influence of the 'Nip.
Is Catnip Addictive?
No, it's impossible for catnip to be addictive, as the effect wears off and won't come back for several hours or even days.
Where Can Cats Get a Free Hit of Catnip?
Um, I'm not sure where to get a free hit.
She shut the camera. "I think we have enough. We'll add in the answer to that last question ourselves. We're done here." She stood up to shake my hand.
"Um, so now what?" I asked.
"We'll take you home, and we'll be in touch about the data. But if anyone asks, this never happened." Her voice sounded serious, so I didn't press the issue.
They placed the bag over my head again. Great, another three-hour trip back home. At least my bladder is empty.
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