When:
🗓️ June 15
Where:
🌐 Everywhere
Since:
❓
If you don’t talk to your cat about ‘nip, then who will?
😸
Cats are fascinating creatures, and catnip, a herb from the Nepeta family, has been known to have a profound effect on them.
World Catnip Awareness Day, which takes place on June 15, celebrates these beloved creatures and their fondness for catnip.
Whether you’re a proud cat parent or a curious gardener, there’s something for everyone to appreciate about these purrfect little furballs and the plant that drives them wild.
So, straighten your whiskers and raise your tail as we dive into the fragrant world of catnip!
Catnip: The Feline’s Favorite Herb
Catnip is a plant that belongs to the Nepeta genus that’s native to Europe and Asia, and it’s known to induce a pheromone-based intoxication among certain cats, causing them to roll, rub, and even drool in pleasure. In fact, research suggests that around 70% of cats have a genetic predisposition to enjoy the scent of nepetalactone, the essential oil found in catnip.
But catnip isn’t just any old herb. Catnip has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as a treatment for various ailments treating digestive problems and or depression. It is also commonly used in aromatherapy and as a tea.
Some people say catnip also has a euphoric effect on humans, but according to science this effect is extremely mild if any at all.
The Nip, the Mint and the Flowers and Bees
Catnip is sometimes confused with catmint, which is another member of the Nepeta family, but is less potent and less attractive to cats.
While catnip has small tresses of white to very light purple-ish flowers, catmint has abundant tresses of flamboyantly purple flowers.
Both flowers however are also wildly attractive to another important animal.
Bees LOVE the flowers of catnip and catmint. As these flowers start to bloom you can expect bees to collect the nectar eagerly from each and every flower. Watch your cat when this happens for the health of both animals.
On the other hand, there is an animal that just hates catnip and catmint. Catnip has been proven to repel mosquitos. It’s not as efficient as DEET, but every bit helps. It is speculated that cats are well aware of this anti-mosquito effect and that makes catnip extra attractive for cats to roll in. What would you do if your favorite deodorant made you feel good and repelled mosquitos?
So, if you plant catnip or catmint, you will be guaranteed to be in good company every summer!
If Catnip Could Talk
If catnip could talk, it would have a mischievous and playful personality, just like our feline friends!
It would love to make cats happy and watch them enjoy themselves, and would be proud of its ability to produce such an effect.
It would probably be the life of the party, too, making all the other plants jealous with its ability to bring so much joy to the world.
The Origin of World Catnip Awareness Day: A Wild Tale
Now, onto the origin of this holiday. The true story is lost to history, but rumor has it that it was started by a group of cats who wanted to spread the joy of catnip to all corners of the world. They knew that humans were often clueless about the power of the little herb, so they created a holiday to raise awareness.
Of course, this is all just speculation. But let’s be honest, it sounds like something those sneaky cats would do.
Others claim it was established by a secret society of catnip farmers who are trying to get more cats hooked on their product while overlooking the fact that cats rarely have coin. So, that doesn’t seem like they thought that over well enough.
World Catnip Awareness Day takes place on June 15th every year because, well, it’s the purrfect day to celebrate all things catnip!
And why June 15? Well, that’s anyone’s guess – but it’s probably because it’s the middle of the month, and cats like to keep things balanced.
How to Celebrate World Catnip Awareness Day
So, how can you join in on the catnip craze and celebrate this feline-fueled holiday?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- The first step is to get your hands on some fresh catnip. Make your cats happy or treat the neighborhood cats.
- Plant your own catnip! These plants are really easy to grow and you might want to prune them regularly to make them look like a nice round bushy plant and, most importantly, don’t overtake the garden.
- Then, let your cat enjoy the herb by rubbing it on their toys or scratching post, or putting it in a toy or a treat dispenser. You can also make homemade catnip toys, which is a fun and easy DIY project.
- If you need to prune the catnip you already have in your garden, bind the twigs and flowers in a cute bouquet and hang them around the house. Mosquitos hate this simple trick!
- Make nippy tea or nippy booze with the fresh leaves and flowers. Catnip makes for a nice fragrant tea and a tasty liqueur when soaked into rum or vodka for a week or more with or without some sweetening.
- Host a catnip-themed party with your friends and the neighborhood cats. Invite the cats nicely and always provide them with an easy and safe way out if they no longer wish to attend the party.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, why not head to your local animal shelter and share the joy of catnip toys and bouquets with some adoptable cats?
- Be sure to take some cute photos and share them on social media with the hashtag #WorldCatnipAwarenessDay and #WorldCatnipDay.
Just make sure to use catnip responsibly, and always supervise your cat while they enjoy it so they don’t roll off a table or bump into a stationary object.
Safety Tips for World Catnip Awareness Day
While celebrating World Catnip Awareness Day, there are some things you should keep in mind to ensure a fun and safe experience. Here are some tips to consider:
- If you notice any unusual behavior in your cat after using catnip, such as vomiting or diarrhea, stop using it immediately and contact your veterinarian. Allergies are rare, but alas everything can be a potential allergen.
- Keep the catnip away from your feline friends if they tend to become overly aggressive or possessive. If they can’t handle their candy, then they better do without!
- Be sure to purchase fresh, high-quality catnip from a trusted source, as old or low-quality catnip can sometimes cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other unpleasant reactions when it’s polluted or treated with pesticides.
- If you plan to invite other cats over, make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered to prevent any unwanted breeding or fighting. And always provide a safe and easy way to leave the place so they don’t feel locked up. In doubt, have the feline party in a safe, open outdoor place.
- Bees love blooming catnip! When catnip is in full bloom, monitor your cat when they are visiting the catnip or keep them away while the flowers are being visited by bees. Cats often like to play with bees, but this scares bees so they sting cats if they can. This is fatal for the bees and possibly dangerous for the cat.
Practice safe ‘nipping and keep cats and bees separated. - As for exercise, well, let’s be real, your cat is going to be doing plenty of that on their own. But if you want to join in, maybe try some light stretching or dancing. Just be prepared for your cat to judge you.
Celebrate Cats and the Joy of Life
World Catnip Awareness Day is a perfect day to celebrate our feline friends and their love for catnip.
It’s a day to learn about catnip and to appreciate the furry companions in our lives and give them a little extra love and attention.
So go ahead and celebrate with a meow!
Try out some catnip with your cat or give some to a feline friend.
And remember, if anyone asks why you’re celebrating this day, just tell them Wild Calendar gave you permission to do so!
Happy World Catnip Awareness Day!
May your day be filled with purrs, nippies and head-scratchies!
#WorldCatnipAwarenessDay #WorldCatnipDay
