{"id":14677,"date":"2018-12-18T04:25:36","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T04:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=14677"},"modified":"2018-12-19T04:28:02","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T04:28:02","slug":"is-it-unethical-to-give-your-cat-catnip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/is-it-unethical-to-give-your-cat-catnip\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it unethical to give your cat catnip?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Debra Merskin<\/a>, University of Oregon<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

As the Christmas season gets underway thoughts turn to buying gifts for the entire family. For some, companion animals are on the gift list, particularly cats and dogs who share our homes and hearts. <\/p>\n

Whether they\u2019ve been naughty or nice matters not, as the more than US$1 billion pet toy industry<\/a> has everything from the whimsical to practical to keep Fluffy and Spot occupied and caretakers entertained. Many of the go-to items for cats contain catnip<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This herb, which goes by the botanical name of Nepeta cataria<\/em>, induces changes in cat behavior. In my view<\/a>, it\u2019s worth considering whether giving a mood-altering substance to a pet is ethical. <\/p>\n

Kitty crack?<\/h2>\n

Catnip is sold in small packets and toys as well as in highly concentrated forms such as oils and sprays. The concentrated forms are different from its availability in nature. If a cat were to encounter catnip in the wild, it would be in the form of leafy greens growing on plants, not concentrated.<\/p>\n

Not all cats are affected<\/a> by the drug, but for some it can have a five- to 15-minute marijuana- kind of effect. <\/p>\n

About 30 percent do not respond at all<\/a> \u2013 which means 70 percent do \u2013 and it doesn\u2019t have an impact on kittens until they are about 6 months old, the time they attain sexual maturity. <\/p>\n

When under the influence, some cats roll around, salivate, and at times, fight with other cats. It is not clear if there are any medicinal benefits. Cat owners often laugh at this behavior of their feline friends as being \u201chigh.\u201d <\/p>\n

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