Video of ‘Ferocious Big Cats’ Rolling Around From Catnip Proves They’re Just Giant Kitties
Let's make no bones about it — big cats are dangerous. Being close to one without an animal expert seems like it would be ... not so desirable. But it's hard to keep that fact straight after watching a video compilation of big cats playing around with catnip.
Shared by a creator who goes by Safari Sammie, the clip shows the big cats acting like straight-up kittens when the catnip comes out .
We guess all cats really love catnip — not just domestic shorthairs or Maine Coon Cats. Safari Sammie featured several different big cats in her video; from leopards, to lions and jaguars. And each of them reacted the same way when she presented them with catnip spray — they rolled around just like kitty cats. Really! They could've been a British Shorthair cat rolling around the living room floor. Not so ferocious now are they?
Related: Big Lion Spotted 'Making Biscuits' Like a Cat and It's So Precious
All the cats couldn't get enough catnip. People in the comments section couldn't help but crack up over their love of the stuff. "Bring catnip everywhere in case we got chased by tigers," one commenter joked, as if writing a note to themself. "Whoever invented catnip was a miracle worker!!! All cats love it. ALL," someone else exclaimed. "My aunt planted catnip to ward off mosquitoes and other bugs. Couldn’t figure out why her front yard was always full of cats," someone else shared.
Although one commenter put it best: "No matter the size, a cat's gonna cat."
Why Cats Like Catnip
This obviously begs the question — what is catnip and why do cats like it so darn much? Catnip is actually called Nepeta cataria, and it's an herb (similar to peppermint or spearmint) that was originated in Asia and Europe but now can be grown the world over.
The herb produces a compound that cats breathe in called nepetalactone. Once it enters a cat's nasal passages, it binds to the olfactory cells in the nose, which is turn sends a message to the brain. To cats it feels euphoric — it's bliss! When your cat is rubbing or licking the catnip they are actually responding to the nepetalactone as if it were a pheromone.
Cats may even roll on top of the catnip to get more of it into their system. Once they've had their fill, they can have several different reactions; including becoming hyperactive, stretching, drooling, or it can have a sedative effect. You won't really know how it will impact your cat until you give it some. Catnip isn't addictive, but cats can have adverse reactions. So if you notice something strange contact your vet immediately.
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