Fun Facts About Cats Behavior
Cats: Domestic cats and wild felines sometimes rub against aromatic plants like catnip or valerian. While this behavior is partly for enjoyment, it may also have mild insect-repelling properties.
Domestic cats and wild felines rub against aromatic plants like catnip (Nepeta cataria) or valerian (Valeriana officinalis) due to both enjoyment and potential practical benefits. Here’s a breakdown of why they exhibit this behavior:
1. Enjoyment and Sensory Stimulation
- Chemical Attraction: Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone, and valerian contains valerenic acid. These compounds bind to receptors in a cat’s nasal tissue, stimulating sensory neurons and triggering a euphoric response.
- Behavioral Response: Cats may exhibit rolling, rubbing, licking, or playful behavior after encountering these plants. It’s similar to a natural “high” but is harmless and temporary.
- Inherited Trait: Not all cats are affected; sensitivity to catnip is genetic, with about 50-70% of cats responding to it.
2. Potential Insect-Repelling Properties
- Natural Defense: Research suggests that nepetalactone and other compounds in aromatic plants can repel insects like mosquitoes and flies. By rubbing against these plants, cats may coat their fur with the plant’s oils, offering some protection from pests.
- Evolutionary Benefit: In the wild, felines could use this behavior to reduce the annoyance and potential harm caused by insect bites, which can carry diseases or irritate their skin.
3. Marking Behavior
- Scent Mixing: Cats may rub against these plants to mix their own scent with the plant’s aroma. This could serve as a way to mark territory or communicate with other cats.
- Comforting Routine: For domestic cats, this behavior might also be part of their natural grooming and comforting routines.
4. Play and Enrichment
- Mental Stimulation: Aromatic plants provide a source of enrichment for domestic cats, mimicking the sensory stimulation they might experience in the wild.
- Stress Relief: Rubbing and interacting with these plants can have a calming effect on some cats, helping to reduce anxiety.
In summary, when cats rub against aromatic plants like catnip or valerian, it’s not just for fun—it may also provide practical insect-repelling benefits and serve as a way to enrich their environment or communicate. This fascinating behavior reflects their natural instincts and complex relationship with their surroundings!