Can Catnip Make Your Cat Aggressive?
By Elisa Black-Taylor
Do any of my friends at PoC have cats who suffer from “catnip disorderly conduct” while under the influence of catnip? This is one of my strange but true experiences that happened last week when Sealy received a box full of quality herb from one of my friends. My friend told me after I posted photos of the cats rolling around in it that this particular nip is famous in her part of the U.S.
Catnip disorderly conduct. Collage by Elisa Black-Taylor
THE CATNIP PARTY
I was at work when I first opened the box addressed to Sealy (yes, my cats DO get mail on occasion). The first thing I noticed was a very, very strong catnip aroma. I just KNEW the cats were going to have a blast with this nip. I only hoped I didn’t get stopped by any law enforcement going home, or I would have a very confused “drug dog” should the officer detect the odor.
The cats attacked the box as soon as I got in the door. There were at least a dozen catnip mice, as well as small pouches of the catnip that had been sewn into squares of cloth. Everyone was rolling on the floor having a good old time. Especially Jasper!
After a good half hour had passed and everyone had disgraced themselves, I remembered Jasper’s particular problem with nip. To put it bluntly, he turns into the equivalent of what we in the south call a “mean drunk.”
CATNIP CAN MAKE A CAT AGGRESSIVE
I got curious and Googled “can catnip make a cat aggressive?” That’s what it does to our Jasper. He will stalk and jump on every cat in the room after a romp in the nip. As it turns out, he’s not alone. Several sites that explain what catnip is (a member of the mint family) also tell how some cats become overly aggressive around catnip. Catnip does to cats what alcohol and marijuana do to humans. Humans who drink alcohol or smoke marijuana may become sleepy or aggressive, depending on the personality of that person. The same holds true for cats.
A few sites also told that very young or very old cats may not be interested in nip at all. Before reading up on the aggressive side of catnip addiction, or catnip disorderly conduct, I’d read that cats were around age two when they became interested. All of our cats are at least that age, and all but a few LOVE rolling in (or even eating) catnip.
WE’LL JUST DEAL WITH IT – WHAT ABOUT YOU?
We’ll continue to provide our cats with their drug of choice. But Jasper, unfortunately, may have to serve a “time-out” in Laura’s bedroom until the effects wear off. Sorry Jasper…
Do any of you have cats who become aggressive after being exposed to catnip? Any funny stories behind YOUR cats nip addiction? I’m just curious.