Cats can be divided into three categories of response to catnip. There are total responders, partial responders, and non-responders. About 70 percent of domestic cats show at least some response, and this tendency is transmitted genetically to offspring. Catnip, a member of the mint family, is a harmless herb that has a stimulatory response in all families of cats, including lions and tigers.

Along with sniffing, licking, chewing, chin- and cheek-rubbing, and rolling and rubbing, responses of total responders may include digging, pawing, scratching, salivating, washing, grooming, and vocalizing.

The response to catnip lasts about 5 to 15 minutes and is followed by an hour when the cat cannot respond to the plant. Although sniffing catnip is an enjoyable experience for cats, addiction is not a concern. Eating catnip is not a problem either. The animal's response is a reaction to smell stimulation and not due to actual ingestion of the plant.

Kittens under 6 weeks of age, for some reason, tend to avoid the plant and are not attracted until 3 months of age. Health status doesn't keep a cat from responding to catnip, but a stressed cat may not have a reaction. Although the response to catnip can resemble behaviour of a cat in heat, there is no evidence that catnip is related to sex or reproduction. Male and female cats are equally susceptible.

Along with being a curious and entertaining phenomenon, cats' attraction to catnip can be useful in behaviour modification. For example, application of catnip spray or crushed leaves to a scratching post could make the post a more attractive victim than your new lounge suite. Toys laced with catnip can be used to encourage exercise in the heftier cat.

You can enjoy watching your cat's predictable, unlearned sequence of behaviours from exposure to catnip as much as your cat enjoys the herb ... especially when you know catnip's effect is harmless.