April 9, 2009

Dear Obie,
Can you please explain to my humans why I like catnip so much? And what is catnip, anyway?
Signed, Bitsey
Dallas, Oregon


Dear Bitsey,
I'll answer your second question first. Catnip is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. Its scientific name is "Nepeta cataria." The active ingredient in catnip, and the reason many cats love it, is called Nepetalactone, which is absorbed by cats through a special receptor in the olfactory system. In other words, we smell it! The Nepetalactone chemical triggers varied responses in cats, including rubbing, chewing, licking, chin and cheek rubbing, and even growling. In other cases, some cats become almost lethargic, leading to the misconception that catnip is related to hallucinogenic drugs!

Catnip can be ground up into a powder or small pieces and given to cats that way. My humans will place it in a zipper bag with a plush cat toy, then give us the toy. We love that!

The typical response to catnip only lasts for 5-15 minutes, on average, and only occurs in about 70% of cats. Personally, I love catnip, and it's hard for me to imagine that 30% of cats have no reaction to it at all! What I also find fascinating is that, after the initial 5-15 minute response, our olfactory senses will not respond to catnip for at least another hour. This oddity is why kitties will often get up and walk away, seemingly uninterested after just playing like maniacs!

In spite of the sometimes dramatic responses some cats show to catnip, the herb is completely non-toxic and is harmless to cats. Some cats will eat the catnip, and this can cause vomiting or diarrhea, but those symptoms are rare. If they occur, then just don't give kitty as much catnip next time!

Catnip can be easily grown in the United States and Canada, but it does have a tendency to take over a garden. If your humans try to grow their own catnip, Bitsey, you might want to tell them to plant it in large buckets or containers!

Thanks for the email!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
My long-haired kitty, George, coughs up a lot of hairballs. My husband always seems to step on them in the dark, and even though I find that rather funny, I'm concerned about George's health. What can I do about his hairballs?
Signed, Ashley
Needles, California


Dear Ashley,
Even though hairballs are a common ailment in cats, and many people just believe they are part of owning a cat and are therefore nothing to be concerned about, the opposite can be true. Hairballs, formed when a kitty grooms itself and swallows the hair, can block a kitty's intestines and cause an impaction. Sometimes those impactions have to removed surgically! Hairballs can also cause painful constipation. At their mildest, they are uncomfortable to cough up, and even a little scary. An equivalent in the human world is choking on a piece of food and trying to bring it back up. Not pleasant!

The simplest and best way to prevent hairballs in your kitty is brushing. As simple as it sounds, brushing away excess hair will keep that hair from being swallowed and will reduce your kitties chance of suffering from hairballs. And, of course, there is the added benefit of spending time with your kitty during the brushing process, and who doesn't like to spend time with their kitty?

Other steps you can take as a cat owner are to give your kitty special "hairball" treats. These will help lubricate the digestive tract and allow the hairball to pass easier. Some foods are specially formulated to help control hairballs, also, but always read the labels carefully. Another trick that has worked for many cat owners is to give kitty a little canned pumpkin or squash baby food, or even 1/2 a teaspoon of butter a couple times a week.. And never hesitate to talk to your vet if problems persist.

I hope this helps George.
Your friend,
Obie

*****

"Cat's like doors left open, in case they change their mind."
-Rosemary Nisbet

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!