Only about two-thirds of cats react to the active cat attractant component in catnip, called nepetalactone. Nepetalactone belongs to a class of more than 30,000 natural compounds known as terpenes, which are produced by plants to serve a variety of functions, including ecological interactions like fighting off plant diseases, creating bitter tastes to ward off animals, and attracting pollinators. Essential oils are made up primarily of terpenes. Nepetalactone is a specialized terpene that keeps certain species of insects away from the plant. Actinidia polygama, more commonly known as silver vine, is a popular alternative to catnip, which is sometimes marketed as even stronger or better. Native to China, Korea, and Japan, silver vine is a species of kiwi. While catnip is loaded with nepetalactone, silver vine features a very similar terpene called nepetalactol. Both are confirmed cat attractants. While scientists have yet to the actual biological mechanism of a cat's nepetalactone response, we do have a promising evolutionary theory, characterized in research published by the American Association for the Advance of Science. When cats rub against catnip, it spreads nepetalactone on a cat's face or body, repelling mosquitos. Thus, pleasurable reactions to catnip conferred an evolutionary advantage.

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But why does nepetalactone trigger such a specific feline response? In other words, why would a plant insect repellent drive cats so wild? Nepeta cataria, a herbaceous plant in the mint family, is more often known as catnip, because approximately two-thirds of domestic cats—and even wild feline species, like jaguars and lions—are attracted to it with a surprising intensity of interest. Cats who encounter catnip stems or leaves will roll around in it, paw at it, drool over it, meow, leap, and purr. The Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish has a little motor inside that creates a surprisingly realistic flopping motion. When we tested it, we found that cats could absolutely not resist the urge to stop the flop. The Flopping Fish also comes with a blend of silver vine and catnip in a sachet, which can be inserted into the zippered compartment alongside the motor, making the flopping fish even more attractive.

In comparative studies, silver vine both attracted a larger percentage of cats tested and produced more intense responses. About 80 percent of cats responded to silver vine, including three-quarters of the cats that were immune to the charms of catnip! A lot of the behaviors you see in cats, such as purring, are associated with positive moods in cats, suggesting catnip sends them into a state of bliss,” certified cat behavior cat consultant Joey Lusvardi told The Spruce Pets . The interactive fish toy comes with a short USB charging cable, and charging the fish motor is straightforward—once the red light goes out, you’re fully charged. It’ll keep flopping for as long as 40 minutes on a charge. This catnip-infused scratcher is aptly named The Original Scratch Lounge and it is designed to invite a cat inside to hang out, play, and fall asleep. There’s also a new version of the Potaroma Flopping Fish Toy that includes a remote for turning on or off the fish’s flopping. We’re excited to try it out for ourselves, and very curious about the multiple buyers describing interference from their TV remote controls.

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When they go gaga for catnip, your cat is responding to an active ingredient called nepetalactone, a compound generated by the plant as an insect repellent. But you don't need to know the science to enjoy watching your cat react to catnip. While you can buy catnip alone, it's also a common component of cat toys. When your cat smells nepetalactone their brain responds similarly to the human brain on opioids. However, since the response is limited to endogenous endorphins, it doesn't create dependence or withdrawals.