Cat health | Cats

Is Catnip Safe for Cats [Everything You Need to Know]

Is catnip safe for cats?

We humans have something that we crave for, something that will make you do something extraordinary just to get it.

Like going to the supermarket at 2 AM just to get pizza.

Cats also seem to have caught up with the human cravings, and they have cravings too: Catnip. 

Catnip is a feline attractant that turns a lazy cat into a crazed cat. But the question that cat parents ask is: What does catnip do to cats,and it catnip safe for cats? 


What is catnip?

Catnip, also referred by botanists as Nepeta Cataria, is a minty herb that originated from Europe and Asia, and is now found in parts of North America, New Zealand, Middle East, Africa and certain regions of China. 

It is also known as catswort or catmint in other countries.

It grows up to 39 inches as a loosely branching plant with fragrant pink or white flowers. It is associated with mint crops, and it shares most of its characteristics with them.

Some farmers in North Calorina grow the crop for commercial purposes, and it is sold to stores due to its multiple uses among cats and humans.

Why do cats love catnip? Catnip contains a feline attractant known as nepetalactone, a volatile oil. This oil is found in the leaves and stems of the catnip plant.

Nepetalactone also attracts even the big cats like lions and leopards in the forests. The volatile oil is believed to resemble a feline pheromone that most cats are receptive to.

Catnip Effects: What does catnip do to cats?

When you expose your cat to the nepetalactone feline attractant, the cat tends to rub its body against the catnip.

The nepetalactone molecules get absorbed into the nasal tissues, and this provides a response in the amygdala and hypothalamus. These two areas of the mind harbor the emotional and hormonal responses when stimulated.

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating the psychological process of the body. Some of these processes may include fatigue, hunger, sleep, thirst and parental behaviors.

This area of the mind also connects the nervous system and the endocrine system. On the other hand, the amygdala is responsible for processing emotional responses and aids in decision making.

Amazon has some fantastic catnip products such as this scratching board:

When the cat is exposed to the nepetalactone, the signals are sent through the nose, and the amygdala integrates the signals and transmits them to the brain.

The hypothalamus receives these signals and sends neurohormones to the pituitary gland, and this leads to the release of “sex-like hormones. The cat exhibits certain behaviors that mimic a cat on heat.

The can will roll around, jump, produce sounds, while rubbing against the plant and pawing at it. If the cat ingests the catnip instead of inhaling it, it will show aggression, euphoria, sleepiness, purring, meowing and drooling.

The catnip behavioral response period lasts from 10 to 15 minutes, and it is followed by a refractory period when exposure to catnip will not have similar effects. The refractory period lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours. After that, the cat becomes susceptible to the catnip effects.

What are the benefits of catnip to cats?

Catnip has a host of benefits to cats, and most cat parents use it as a treat to reward their little feline friends. Here are some of the benefits that cats get when they are exposed to catnip:

Encourage interactive play

Exercises come in handy, especially when getting overweight cats to lose weight. One of the ways to lure overweight cats to exercise is by using toys that use catnip.

You can purchase interactive toys (that smell catnip) from your favorite stores. Such toys naturally lure cats to running after them around the house.

The other option is to create a small toy using safe materials like old socks and put the catnip leaves inside. This will encourage the cat to run after it to feel the enticing smell.

Food additive

Adding a little catnip to the cat’s food can help deal with a picky eater. The attractant helps stimulate the cat’s appetite and entice them to continue eating.

Picky eaters often fail to get the right nutrients to support their body functions and are at risk of suffering from malnutrition. Sprinkling a pinch of catnip encourages the cat to eat and get the required nutrients to support growth, organs and improve their immunity.

Entice cats to drink water

Cats do not have a natural appetite for water, and this means that you will have to get creative to entice them to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.

Vets recommend putting a leaf of catnip in the drinking bowl and this makes the water more appealing to drink.

Repel insects

Apart from using catnip as an additive in food and water, you can also utilize the insect-repelling features of nepetalactone.

Cats and kittens often encounter various insects like mosquitoes and fleas that may causes illnesses if left untreated. You can dry the catnip leaves, crush them and rub them against the cat’s body. 

This repels away common insects that are used to attaching themselves to the cat’s body. Alternatively, if you have a kitchen garden in your home, you can plant the catnip plant and use it to repel away mosquitoes and benefit from its medicinal value on humans.

Cat Flatulence

Sometimes, cats may suffer from flatulence due to change of diets, swallowing air or eating foods with lots of gas.

Giving them catnip helps relax their stomach and reduce the tension. It also eases stomach discomfort by pushing the air downwards to remove it from the cat’s body. This is the reason why mothers use catnip to treat colic in babies by soothing the stomach.

Skin condition

Catnip is also known to relieve skin conditions and reduce skin irritations in both humans and cats. Rubbing crushed catnip on the cat’s body can ease the irritation. Also, bathing cats in catnip tea also helps in treating the skin condition and soothing skin irritation.

Precautions when Giving Your Cat Catnip

Catnip is completely safe for cats, but there are certain precautions that you should take to protect your cat.

First, cats that have been exposed to catnip tend to be “high” and may be unaware of their surroundings. If you live in crowded neighborhoods, busy roads or streets, you should monitor your cat to make sure she doesn’t wander off your sight.

Cats exposed to danger may be unable to take quick action when they are “feeling high”. You should also keep harmful substances away from the cat’s view since they can drink or eat poisonous human foods.

Secondly, you should give catnip in moderation. Some cat parents have reported diarrhea and vomiting when their pets ingested too much catnip.

Some cats are able to measure their capabilities, and will likely walk away after having enough of the stimulant. Don’t give much catnip to your cat if you are not there to monitor how much of the plant they will eat.

FAQs About Catnip for Cats

Is catnip safe for my cat?

Catnip is safe for cats to inhale and ingest. However, you should monitor your cat to prevent her from overdosing, which may cause vomiting and diarrhea, after which everything will go back to normal.

How much of catnip is enough?

A small pinch of crushed catnip leaves should do the magic, and it is enough to give your cat that “high feeling”.

If you decide to give the cat a catnip plant, one plant or a few leaves are enough. Make sure to keep the other plants away from her sight because she may be tempted to overdose.

Where can I buy Catnip?

Most local stores sell catnip toys or powdered catnip. You can also get it on Amazon and have it shipped to your home in a few days.

Can humans use catnip?

Catnip has multiple uses among humans, and it used in making herbal tea, as an insect repellent, stress and anxiety relief, sooth menstrual pain, ease stomach discomfort and speed up fever recovery.

Can a pregnant cat use catnip?

Catnip should NOT be given to pregnant cats since it causes uterine contractions, and the cat may give birth prematurely.

References for Catnip

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