11/20/2014

The chemistry of CATS: Chemists reveal why felines go crazy for catnip and what causes their urine to smell so rancid

• Compounds in catnip and litter were studied by American Chemical Society
• In a video, chemists explain that catnip is made from a plant called catmint
• Its psychoactive quality comes from nepetalactone, which binds to receptors in a cat’s nose
• Highs last between 10 minutes to an hour and affect 70% of felines
• Sensitivity is an inherited trait, and reactions have been spotted in tigers 
• Meanwhile, litter is a mix of clay minerals, calcium bentonite and silica gels
• These materials absorb urine, act as a deodorant and clump feces together to make it easier to remove

By Victoria Woollaston for MailOnline

Ever wondered why cat urine is so pungent, or what causes felines to react so strongly to catnip? You’re not alone.

Now a video reveals the answers - explaining how the psychoactive plant used in catnip works as well as revealing how litter is able to absorb the smell of the urine and clump feces together.

‘One of the finest joys for cat owners is the feline insanity that comes from catnip,’ said the expert from the American Chemical Society.

For video please visit website:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2840763/The-chemistry-CATS-Chemists-reveal-felines-crazy-catnip-causes-urine-smell-rancid.html

The video explained that catnip is made from a plant called nepeta cataria, closely related to mint and, as a result, is often called catmint.

Its psychoactive quality comes from a compound known as nepetalactone, which binds to the olfactory receptors in a cat’s nose.

Cat drug? Nepeta cataria is closely related to mint and is often called catmint (pictured). Scientists don't know what it is about nepetalactone that makes cats react this way, but they do know that sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait, and research has also spotted similar responses in tigers and leopards

This compound triggers a neurological response, similar to how cats react to sexual pheromones.

But scientists don't know what it is about nepetalactone that makes cats react this way.

They do know that sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait, and research has also spotted similar responses in tigers and leopards.

The surprisingly complex chemistry of at litter is explained next. 

Cat urine gets its unique smell from a compound called felinine.

Cat urine gets its unique smell from a compound called felinine. Felinine is broken down into a sulphur called MMB, and male cats use MMB as a pheromone to let females know they are ready to mate. The scientists explain that kitty litter absorbs this smell using clay minerals known as Fuller’s Earth

Bacteria in cat feces typically converts uric acid into ammonia, which gives the urine its smell. Fuller’s Earth absorbs water from the urine that reacts with the ammonia to create a series of other acids. Artificial scents are typically used in the litter to counteract these smells, and silica gels are also added to absorb urine

Felinine is broken down into a sulphur called MMB, and male cats use MMB as a pheromone to let females know they are ready to mate.

The scientists explained that kitty litter absorbs this smell using clay minerals known as Fuller’s Earth.

These minerals were originally used to clean up oil on factory floors, and works as a partial deodorant.

Bacteria in cat feces typically converts uric acid into ammonia, which gives the urine its smell.

Fuller’s Earth absorbs water from the urine that reacts with the ammonia to create a series of other acids.

WHY ARE CATS OBSESSED WITH SITTING IN CIRCLES?

Internet users believe that a quirk of feline psychology means they will sit in circles because they identify it as new territory that requires protecting. It’s well known that cats enjoy the safety of enclosed spaces - such as boxes, carrier bags or cupboards

A group of cat owners claims to have found a foolproof way to get cats to do their bidding: simply by drawing a circle on the floor.

The cat, they say, instinctively feels compelled to go and sit inside it.

According to the theory, cats find circles or similar shapes on the ground irresistible. So if you mark one out - around 2ft (0.6 metres) across -  using chalk, string, masking tape or flex, a cat will enter the circle and refuse to leave. 

The reason behind this phenomenon, however, is unknown. 

It’s well known that cats enjoy the safety of enclosed spaces - such as boxes, carrier bags or cupboards - and equally like perching on high spots where they can keep an eye on the world. 

It’s also established that they have favorite spots in the home.

Animal behavior expert Professor Daniel Mills told Mail Online cats could be attracted to circles if they formed a barrier, for instance, if they were made of a curled-up draught excluder, tea towels or a row of socks.

‘Low barriers can give a cat a sense of security because the cat can cower down,’ says the Lincoln University academic. 

‘If you take a cat to the vet and it is put in an unfamiliar cage, it will often sit in a litter tray if there is one inside the cage.

‘The probable reason is that the sides of the tray are raised and they can get their eyes below the level. They don’t realize that their ears are sticking up.’

That could explain the lure of a raised circle, but not a two- dimensional mark on the floor. 

Artificial scents are typically used in the litter to counteract these smells, and silica gels are also included to absorb urine.

Calcium bentonite is added to create what the video calls ‘litter clump’, which, as the name suggests, it clumps feces together to make it easier to find and remove from the tray.

And when it comes to marking their territory, glands in a cat’s face, tails, paws and lower back are used to rub against objects.

This is also used to establish and feel familiarity with objects in the home.

For example, when cats rub up against a person, they are showing affection while telling other cats that the person belongs to them. 

The video is part of a series, created by ACS, called Reactions.  to view please visit this link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2840763/The-chemistry-CATS-Chemists-reveal-felines-crazy-catnip-causes-urine-smell-rancid.html

 

And when it comes to marking their territory, glands in a cat’s face, tails, paws and lower back are used to rub against objects. This is also used to establish and feel familiarity with objects in the home. For example, when cats rub up against a person, they are showing affection while telling other cats the person belongs to them
Read more:  

Reactions - YouTube

 

Lily likes her boxes!



Thank you so much to everyone for your generous gifts from our Amazon wish list!!
http://amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/14VUTQST8F5XH

Amazon often does not put packing slips in the boxes and they never give us your contact info so we are not able to personally contact you to thank you.  Please know that we deeply appreciate your kindness and are very grateful to you for your support!

 
This list is from several days of boxes :)



 

April and Rose helping with opening boxes!



 

 



 

April helping out with boxes!

 

Thank you Ashley Yeager for the cat litter!

Thank you Cheri Shubbar for the cat food and towels!

Thank you Dana Kennedy for the fortiflora! Thank you Gayle Blackham for the cat treats and trash bags! Thank you Hixson General Contractors for the cat toys! Thank you Kathleen Clements for the cat toy and fortiflora! Thank you Kellee Sheahan for the pet fusion! Thank you Kevin Carpenter for the cat tent!

Snicker on the pet fusion!

Mickey on the pet fusion!

Gina on the pet fusion!

 

Thank you Ki Kelly for the cat food!

Thank you Linda Carden for the dog pads!

Thank you Pamela Meese for the cat toys!

Thank you Patricia Odom for the cat tunnel and cat toys!

Thank you Sai Yamanoor for the cat food in memory of Saxon!

Thank you Unknown for the cat food!

Thank you Unknown for the liquid fabric softener!

Thank you Unknown for litter, toys, pet bed and cleaning kits! (these items came with no packing slips)

Thank you Unknown for the cat food pouches! Shelly in the tunnel! Poppy laying on the tent! Annie in the hello kitty bed! 



 

 

As you do your Christmas shopping we hope you will use smile.amazon when you shop at amazon, they will donate money to us from them not you for everything you buy from them.
Here is the link:   http://smile.amazon.com/           

 

Thank you to the wonderful people who share their auctions with the cats! 

 You may find lots of them at 

 http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/blind-cat-rescue-sanctuary-inc/17471/



Here is an auction with a beautiful Christmas kittens painting.  The seller is sharing 10% of
the auction with the cats!!   Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-SIGNED-WATERCOLOUR-PAINTING-KATE-DANIELS-CHRISTMAS-KITTENS-/171543878726?pt=Art_Paintings

 



 

 

                        $50,000 http://www.eaglerarelife.com/content/alana-miller  
                                                            One vote every 24 hours.

Peanut would like for you to vote!!!

 

Please hold on to your money, Calendars

Coming Soon!!!!

We will start taking preorders soon for calendars and will try to ship them by  the 1st of December. They make great Christmas gifts and what a great way to start the new year with one!

 

 

 





 

Don't forget we have our annual Christmas tree decorating fundraiser! It makes a great gift for someone who has everything! Here is the link:  http://blindcatrescue.com

 

 

 

Popcorn under Christmas decorations!

 

 

 

 

 

Do you walk or run?  The Droid app is finally ready.  If you pick Blind Cat Rescue as your charity,  every time you walk/run  they will donate to the cats!

Link: http://www.resqwalk.com/

 

 

 

 

 

CFC #67324