You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Catnip is widely available in toys for cats, and it stimulates excitement and play - but what is it ?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains a substance called cis-transnepetalactone which when inhaled or eaten is thought to be hallucinogenic through the stimulation of centres in the brain. However, only about 50-70% of cats show the typical behavioural response - so there may be a genetic basis to the behaviour.

Typically behaviour includes :

• Excited hunting and attacking
• Rubbing
• Shaking
• Increased salivation
• Rolling
• Jumping

After a while the cat becomes immune to the effects.

Updated October 2013