The effect of chewing on catnip’s insect-repelling powers

Catnip is a herb belonging to the mint family, which contains an oil called nepetalactone. Through evolution, cats developed a dominant allele that makes them susceptible to this plant’s chemicals. Therefore, when cats are exposed to catnip, nepetalactone will activate the cats’ sense of smell and stimulate their behaviors. 

Credit: sciencenews.org

Cats that respond will have similar behaviors to a female cat entering their estrus cycle such as rubbing, licking, rolling, or sniffing. In addition, there is evidence showing that catnip reduces cats’ anxiety and even relieves pain. 

Besides the effect of catnip on cats’ behaviors, cats also provide some significant effects on the plant as well. Especially, the insect-repelling power of catnip will be strengthened when the cats chew on it. 

Some plants have abilities to prevent insects naturally like marigolds. For catnip, the crushed-up leaves emit a volatile insect-repellant compound called iridoids, which discourage insects like mosquitoes from biting on leaves. Also, it acts as a nepetalactone to encourage cats to continue rolling in the plant. 

Compared to intact catnip leaves, the bitten and damaged leaves release their insect-repellant over 20 times more. With that to be said, lad-made iridoid solution mirrored crushed-up leaves has a greater effect of chasing off mosquitoes than the intact leaf chemical solution. 

Not only catnip influenced cats’ behaviors, but the insect-repelling ability of the plant is also altered when cats chew on it. Damaged catnip produces iridoids that chase off insects as well as act as nepetalactone to seduce cats.

Resources:

Cats chewing on catnip boosts the plant’s insect-repelling powers (sciencenews.org)

What Is Catnip and What Does It Do to Cats? | PetMD

What is catnip? | New Scientist

Natural Insect Repellents for Leaf-Eating Insects (sfgate.com)