Research overview: the catnip response and its biology

Roughly two-thirds of domestic cats display a stereotyped response to catnip, sniffing, licking, rolling, and rubbing, triggered by the compound nepetalactone acting through the olfactory and vomeronasal systems. This overview surveys research on the heritability of responsiveness, the developmental onset after kittenhood, the response of larger felids to catnip and related plants, and recent work suggesting that rubbing the plant onto fur may provide protection against biting insects. It discusses parallels with silver vine and other stimulant plants. The topic connects a familiar and entertaining behaviour to questions of sensory biology, heredity, and possible adaptive function in wild and domestic cats.