Every time a cat steps outside their window loft and into Whisker City, it's like entering a feline fever dream. Through oversized picture windows, they can catch glimpses of the cool cats lounging on velvet cushions, sipping their catnip-infused lattes under a fluorescent purple haze. It's like something out of our favorite science fiction novel—but without the inevitable alien invasion 400 years in the future and with mountains of catnip.
Meanwhile, down on the cobblestone streets, felines meander lazily, trying to avoid the barely legal kittens who've taken to riding those neon green electric scooters around town. Gen Alpha has nothing on these rambunctious furballs! Especially when the scent of catnip hits—it's like watching tiny, furry tornadoes on a caffeine buzz!
Whisker City is a place where the only thing invading your personal space is a purring cat—or five—who seem to have no concept of boundaries. But today is special. It's the annual Catnip Carnival, where the cats of Whisker City gather to celebrate their favorite herb in the most outrageous ways imaginable.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
As the carnival reaches its peak, a sleek black cat named Kingpin struts into the center of town, his dark sunglasses reflecting the twinkling lights of the festival and more than one 20th-century flash bulb bursting at the sight of him. Whisker City may be modern, but they know you can't beat the classics. Smartphones are reserved for playing insect-chasing games, Cat Tinder, and ordering more nip around here.
Kingpin is the local nip aficionado, known far and wide for his impeccable taste in the finest catnip.
"Welcome, welcome!" Kingpin purrs, his grin as wide as a Cheshire cat's. "You're just in time for the main attraction—the Catnip Exhibit! The best nip this side of the Milky Way, and all legal NLT—Nepetalactone!" He winks, his tail flicking with excitement.
Around him, cats of all shapes and sizes gathers, eager to get their paws on the good stuff. As Kingpin leads the curious crowd to a large tent filled with every variety of catnip imaginable—dried, fresh, even baked into mouse-shaped cookies—he begins his grand explanation.
"I'm here today to solve a mystery," Kingpin proclaimed. "Some humans have been asking online: Do Cats Eat Catnip? Or do they just roll around in it like... it's the latest craze in kitty yoga. I thought, who better to ask than my friends in the city that never sleeps...but isn't opposed to a cat nap now and again?"
Do Cats Eat Catnip?
"This here is the real deal," a loud-mouthed abysssian spoke up, "Fuck, yeah. We eat it. And we roll around in it, purr like a train, and chase our own tails. Who asks Google this shit, anyway?"
Can Cats Eat Catnip?
"Humans do." A rowdy ragdoll chimes in." And I can tell them it's harmless and delightful—quite the treat! Nepetalactone (NLT) interacts with our noses. We breathe that sweet vape in, and suddenly, we're all floating on cloud nine, chasing invisible mice!...
I caught one the other day."
The crowd of cats nodds in agreement, their eyes wide with anticipation, ready to get a Free Hit.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
Just as Kingpin finishes his spiel, a commotion erupts near the food stalls. Madame Fluffington, a rotund tabby with a penchant for culinary experiments, has decided to host an impromptu catnip cook-off.
She stands proudly behind her stall, a steaming pot of catnip stew bubbling away. "I'll answer that question. I'll show you what catnip does to cats! Step right up, folks! Can cats eat catnip? One taste of my famous catnip stew will prove it!" Madame Fluffington announces, her whiskers quivering with excitement.
A few brave cats approached the pot, their noses twitching, ready for a Free Hit. The first to taste was a daring Scottish Fold who, after a tentative lick, let out a loud, exaggerated purr. "Not bad!" he declared, though his eyes crossed slightly as the effects kicked in.
But it doesn't stop there. Soon, cats from all over the carnival are sniffing, snorting, and rolling in Madame Fluffington's concoction, turning the previously orderly event into a wild, euphoric frenzy.
Kingpin watches the chaos with a knowing smile. "Ah, the sweet smell of chaos," he murmurs to himself, before leaning in to whisper the stoic Maine Coon next to him, "Just between us, this stew is nothing compared to the nip brownies I've got stashed at home. And trust me, those make for some pretty epic karaoke nights. You haven't lived until you've heard a Siamese belt out 'Running Up a Hill' by Cat Bush."
The Lab Coat Cat's Scientific Interlude
Amidst the pandemonium, a bespectacled cat in a lab coat stepped forward, trying to restore order. "Kingpin knows his nip, and yes, and as the resident scientists here in Whisker City, I can tell you it's all perfectly safe," he began, adjusting his glasses. "It's all about the nepetalactone. This naturally occurring compound attaches to our olfactory sensors in our noses. It makes our brain light up like a Christmas tree covered in laser pointers! And you know how we feel about laser pointers around here."
He continued in high usual I know everything tone, "Eating cat nip enhances the experience because of the flehmen response, named after some human who thinks he discovered it. This response happens when we leave our mouths open after we smell something funky. It opens our airways and improves our sense of smell. By chewing the catnip, we can release those aromas and revel in that divine nose-tingling nirvana... like basking in a meadow of pure, unadulterated bliss."
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
"Let's clear up a few things." Lab coat kitty continued. "It's not for the nutritional benefits. Catnip doesn't have any to speak of." He swished his crooked tail. "It's a treat we shouldn't partake in all the time." Even Kingpin here, has his limits." He leaned in for a quick acknowledging sniff of Whisker City's favorite son, now standing at his side.
Kingpin spoke up: "We like it because it's fun. It's a momentary escape, like a good bottle of wine, a snuggie, and whatever a human can find on Netflix. But a quarter-sized Free Hit will do it, and I'm flying higher than a cat with a jetpack!"
The lab coat cat attempted to explain the potential therapeutic effects of these terpenes, but his audience was too busy chasing invisible mice to listen.
"Well, at least they're having fun," the lab coat cat sighed, before diving nose-first into a pile of dried nip, joining in the festivities.
Can Cats Eat Catnip Every Day?
Human, there's nothing wrong with cats eating cat nip. Let your feline overlord get their fix. Eating cat nip is perfectly normal and may even be beneficial. Who knows? However, it's better left as a treat, maybe once or twice a week, to keep the fun fresh and exciting. If your cat loses its sensitivity to cat nip, all hope is not lost. Wait a couple of weeks to reintroduce it to them. And let the antics resume.
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