Tag Archive for 'Catnip'

A cat (Felis catus) licks and chews silver vine (Actinidia polygama) leaves. Image credit: Masao Miyazaki & Reiko Uenoyama.

Plant-Damaging Behavior Plays Important Role in Gaining Pest-Repellency in Cats: Study

Jun 15, 2022 by Enrico de Lazaro

New research provides evidence that the physical damage of catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) leaves by feline licking and chewing...

The neurophysiological and functional significance of silver vine response in cats: the olfactory system in cats detects cis-trans nepetalactol emitted from silver vine leaves and then stimulates release of β-endorphin; activation of μ-opioid receptors by a high level of β-endorphin evokes rubbing and rolling, which is inhibited by naloxone, an antagonist of μ-opioid receptors; face rubbing and rolling over transfer nepetalactol with repellent activity against Aedes albopictus from the leaves onto the cat’s face, head, and body fur where it helps to protect them from mosquito bites. Image credit: Reiko Uenoyama, Iwate University.

Bioactive Compounds Found in Catnip and Silver Vine Protect Cats against Mosquito Bites

Jan 21, 2021 by News Staff

Domestic cats and other felids rub their faces and heads against catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) and roll on the ground as...