The Science Behind Why Cats Love Catnip

An intoxicating TED-Ed by biology professor Jaap de Roode of Emory University explains the scientific reasons why cats love both silver vine and catnip. According to a 2013 study, these herbs are rich in the happy-making compounds nepetalactol and nepetalactone, which also act as insect repellents.

In chemical terms, both nepetalactol and nepetalactone are classified as iridoids— a type of natural compound known to contain insect-repelling properties.So perhaps cats rubbing their faces in silvervine and catnip were applying an ancient form of bug spray. 

Why Cats Like Catnip
Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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