nepetalactone

chemical compound

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

Nepetalactone is a volatile oil found in the leaves and stems of the catnip plant (Nepeta cataria), a herb in the mint family. This compound is responsible for the psychoactive effect that excites most cats. When cats are exposed to nepetalactone, it binds to receptors in their nose, stimulating sensory neurons and triggering a range of behaviors. These reactions can include purring, rolling, vocalizations, head rubbing, drooling, jumping, and sometimes aggression. The effects typically last about 10 minutes, though they can extend to an hour in some cases. Sensitivity to nepetalactone is an inherited trait, affecting about 70 percent of cats, and even some big cats like tigers and leopards can react to it.12

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catnip
…a volatile oil known as nepetalactone, which stimulates sensory neurons in most cats, attracting them to the plant. The effect generally lasts about 10 minutes and triggers a wide range of behaviours, including purring, rolling, vocalizations, head rubbing, drooling, jumping, and sometimes aggression.
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…a volatile oil known as nepetalactone, which stimulates sensory neurons in most cats, attracting them to the plant. The effect generally lasts about 10 minutes and triggers a wide range of behaviours, including purring, rolling, vocalizations, head rubbing, drooling, jumping, and sometimes aggression.
Read More

Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
…the volatile oil known as nepetalactone, which has a psychoactive quality. This compound is found in the leaves and stems of the catnip plant and is responsible for causing a variety of reactions in most cats. However, scientists have not figured out exactly what in nepetalactone causes these reactions.
Read More
…the volatile oil known as nepetalactone, which has a psychoactive quality. This compound is found in the leaves and stems of the catnip plant and is responsible for causing a variety of reactions in most cats. However, scientists have not figured out exactly what in nepetalactone causes these reactions.
Read More