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 What is Catnip?
Catnip is a wild member of the mint family that can be found across
the U.S. Cats that are sensitive to this plant demonstrate a wide
range of behaviors. Some will roll and rub, and others will leap in the
air. Some will appear to hallucinate and then get hungry or sleepy.
The effects will last for about 15 minutes. If given more than once
weekly, the effects will diminish. There is no evidence that catnip is
harmful. If your cat finds it stimulating, indulge her and enjoy
her antics.
How does my cat purr?
This unique sound is made by felines from house cats to cheetahs. Cats
have been known to purr during mating, while caring for their young,
while ill, and even during the terminal stages of an illness. The only
time cats are NOT purring is while they’re sleeping.
A cat’s purring is controlled by an oscillatory mechanism within the
central nervous system. This mechanism is most frequently activated in
domestic cats when they are approached, petted or spoken to by people.
The purr is caused by regular, rapid and alternating vibrations of the
intrinsic laryngeal muscles and the diaphragm. The next time you hear
this contented sound, remember this is one more aspect of feline
physiology that makes them special.1
Are my children likely to develop allergies if we have pets?
Not necessarily. Children who grow up around animals may in fact be less
likely to develop allergies later in life. According to a Henry Ford
Hospital study that was published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association, “children who grow up with cats or dogs may be at
less risk for developing pet allergies and less susceptible to
ragweed, grass and dust mite allergies.” It has been found that
children exposed to two or more cats or dogs during their first year
of life were half as likely to develop common allergies. The study
indicates that having a pet around at a very early age may influence
the development of the child’s immune system. This is one more piece
of information that supports the value of pets during childhood.2
Can the fact that I smoke harm my cat?
It is sad, but true, that pets can suffer harmful side-effects due to
smoking in the home. Cats who live with smokers are almost two and a
half times as likely to acquire malignant lymphoma as those in
nonsmoking households. In a recent study at Tufts University, it was
found that, adjusting for age and other factors, cats exposed to
second-hand smoke were twice as likely to develop the disease.
However, if their exposure surpassed five years, their risk tripled.
If two smokers were living in the home, the cat’s chances quadrupled! Cats not only inhale smoke, but also lick it from their fur
while grooming. The occurrences of feline lymphoma have increased to a
point where the RSPCA is now considering changing adoption guidelines
for animal shelters. A spokeswoman for the RSPCA told BBC News Online, “We think people who smoke should think about the risks to their
cats.” This research gives cat owners a powerful reason to stop
smoking today!3
1
Comp.Cont.Ed,
Vol. 7, No 7, July 1985 pp551-553
2
DVM News
Magazine, Oct. 2002 p23S
3
American Journal
of Epidemiology, August 1, 2002
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