Catnip Ain’t the Only Plant That’ll Send Your Kitty To Blissville

[Riddick]

Most cats love nip, and many cat owners love watching their companions nip out.

But not all cats freak out when they sniff the fragrant herb—some just don’t react at all. Which is a shame, because catnip can be a boon for under-stimulated indoor kitties, who can get so stressed with lack of activity that they can develop diseases.

However, a new study shows that there might be some alternatives for the nip-immune. At least three other plants emit chemical odors capable of turning your furball into a puddle of purr, and one of them is potentially more potent than nip itself.

The finding doesn’t just give cat owners more options to sprinkle on their pet’s cardboard scratchbox: It might help solve the chemical mystery of why cats love nip so much.

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