Catnip, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb in the mint family known for inducing a temporary, euphoric reaction in domestic cats and other felines. This reaction is caused by a chemical compound within the plant. Squirrels are frequent visitors to gardens where catnip may grow, leading many to wonder if they can also experience a “catnip high.” Understanding the chemical mechanism behind the feline reaction and the squirrel’s distinct biology provides the answer.
Do Squirrels React to Nepetalactone?
Squirrels do not experience the psychoactive or euphoric effects of catnip characteristic of the feline response. The specific chemical responsible for the reaction, nepetalactone, has no known psychoactive impact on rodents, including squirrels, mice, and rats. This is because the chemical interaction is highly species-specific, relying on biological receptors unique to the $Felidae$ family.
The “high” results from a highly specialized sensory pathway that squirrels simply do not possess. When other animals, such as dogs or rabbits, are tested with catnip, they exhibit no behavioral change. Therefore, any observed interaction a squirrel has with the plant is purely behavioral or olfactory, not chemically induced euphoria. Some sources suggest the plant’s strong, minty scent acts as a deterrent, causing squirrels to actively avoid it.
Why Cats Experience the Catnip High
The intense behavioral display seen in felines is triggered by the volatile oil nepetalactone. This oil is released when the cat sniffs, chews, or rubs against the plant’s leaves and stems. The chemical enters the cat’s nasal tissues and binds to specialized receptors, stimulating sensory neurons that send signals to the brain.
This neurological cascade involves the release of $\beta$-endorphins in the cat’s bloodstream. These endorphins are natural opioids that activate $\mu$-opioid receptors in the brain, leading to a temporary state of pleasure. The resulting behaviors—such as rolling, drooling, head shaking, and excessive rubbing—are a manifestation of this pleasure response, which typically lasts about ten minutes before the effect wears off.
Non-Chemical Reasons Squirrels Interact with Catnip
If squirrels are seen near a catnip plant, their motivation is driven by environmental factors rather than intoxication. As generalist foragers, squirrels frequently explore new plants to determine if they are safe for consumption. They may chew on the leaves or stems out of curiosity or to gather moisture.
The plant produces nepetalactone primarily as an insect repellent, protecting itself from certain pests. Squirrels might be drawn to the plant’s location if it offers a temporary sanctuary from biting insects like mosquitoes. Other reasons for interaction include seeking fibrous material to line a nest or digging in the soil around the base for buried food items. In these cases, the interaction is practical and utilitarian.