The Chemistry of Cat-Attracting Molecules Why Catnip Is Only the Beginning Most cat owners are familiar with the remarkable reaction some cats have to catnip. A cat may sniff the plant intensely, lick or chew it, rub its face against it, roll on the floor, and become unusually playful. The chemistry behind this behavior is much more complicated than simply "cats like catnip." Scientific research has demonstrated that domestic cats can respond to several different plants, including catnip ( Nepeta cataria ) , silver vine ( Actinidia polygama ) , valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) , and Tatarian honeysuckle ( Lonicera tatarica ) . Even more interesting, cats do not necessarily respond to all of these plants equally. A cat that completely ignores catnip may respond strongly to silver vine or Tatarian honeysuckle. The explanation lies partly in the fascinating chemistry of volatile plant compounds known as iridoids and related molecules. Nepetalactone: The Famous Catnip Molecu...