You might notice that your cat is intensely attracted to the Catnip plant in your house. As you see her nibbling on its leaves, you might get worried about the effect it has on your feline friend.
We are here to help you relieve your doubts and worries. You can breathe in a sigh of relief as catnip plants are not toxic to cats.
Cats can eat catnip plant. Your cat may also overdose or overindulge herself on catnip. If she consumes too much catnip, she may experience a stomach upset.
To avoid this, protect your catnip plant from your cat. Place them high or fence them off where your cat will be unable to reach it.
It’s always better to control access to catnip because your cat may keep coming back to the plant. Also, you must consider that catnip plants may attract stray or feral cats
If you want to more about the effects of catnip on your cat, keep reading!
Give Your Cat the Perfect Day
Get the Free Ebook!
Why Do Cats Love Catnip?
Although catnip is known as a cat stimulant, it is not a narcotic. Despite appearances, a cat does not go ‘high’ or hallucinate after ingesting catnip. It is fully aware of its environment and maintains control over its actions.
Catnip, on the other hand, causes many felines to go wild since it increases their pleasure hormones. This is similar to the pleasure we get from eating chocolate.
Nepetalactone is produced when a cat smells catnip. The essential oil of Nepeta cataria is found in the stem and leaves of the plant.
Nepetalactone brings joy to your cat’s body and mind. It frequently rolls, meows, and relaxes.
The effects persist around 10 minutes on average. Cats who have been exposed to catnip may become unstable on their feet.
Can My Cat Overdose On Catnip?
Yes, cats may quickly become addicted to catnip. The most powerful catnip experience begins with the nose. Just a whiff of it may send your cat into a frenzy.
Catnip is thought to target feline “happy” receptors in the brain, according to researchers. It can help your cat relax.
Catnip causes most cats to roll, flip, and ultimately fade out. It’s possible that they’ll meow and snarl at the same moment.
While some cats will simply rest and look blankly into space, other cats will get hyperactive or even hostile if you approach them.
These sessions usually last around ten minutes until your cat loses interest. It might take up to two hours for your cat to become vulnerable to catnip once more.
Cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip, but they can become ill if they ingest too much.
By eating too much catnip, a cat will not be put in imminent danger. However, consuming too much of this plant might have negative consequences.
The most noticeable is a stomachache. It’s possible that your cat will get a small case of vomiting or diarrhea.
However, it takes a lot of catnip to get this effect. The majority of cats will quit eating before they reach this point.
Catnip can also have an effect on a cat’s muscular coordination. Excess catnip makes your cat unstable on its feet as its limbs loosen up.
This will cause the cat to be more clumsy than normal. Allowing a cat to run or jump before these effects wear off is not recommended.
Can I Put Catnip In My Cat’s Food?
You may add catnip to your cat’s food. This may help entice a picky cat to eat as the scent of catnip will be impossible to resist.
Use a little quantity of catnip if you’re doing this. Aim for just enough to pique your cat’s interest. It’s important to remember that catnip makes a cat drowsy.
The cat will relax instantly after consuming a significant dose of catnip. This will almost certainly result in an empty food plate.
Catnip can be sprinkled on their meals. However, cats are quite excellent at identifying what they enjoy and don’t like in food.
If you’re giving your cat catnip by sprinkling it over wet food, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Before giving canned food, make sure it’s warm.
- Feeding the wet food straight from the fridge isn’t a good idea. When food is cooked, the fragrance becomes considerably stronger, enticing the cat to consume it.
- Before feeding, microwave it for a few seconds and well mix it to ensure it is not too hot.
- Remove any uneaten food as wet food degrades and dries quickly.
- You may wrap it up and store it in the refrigerator for future meal.
If you’re feeding your cat dry food, keep in mind that different brands come in different shapes and sizes, as well as distinct scents. Request samples from pet shops or veterinary clinics as cats are very picky eaters.
You could also try combining wet and dry ingredients, but you’d have to remove any uneaten parts and save them for later.
How Do I Use Catnip For My Cat?
Some cats get a natural high from catnip. It elicits a sense of ecstasy in cats.
Catnip is neither dangerous nor addictive to cats. Therefore, you can use it safely.
To utilize catnip, grind the herb’s leaves into a powder. You can sprinkle or rub it on toys, food, beds, and scratching posts.
Nepetalactone, an essential oil found in catnip, activates feline pleasure receptors. Catnip spray is also available, although it contains less nepetalactone and is thus less effective.
Check to see whether your cat is allergic to catnip. If that’s the case, there are catnip substitutes that have comparable effects.
Allowing your cat to use catnip excessively is also not a good idea. While it is not poisonous, too much of it can have negative consequences.
How Do I Prepare Catnip For My Cat?
Catnip is available in two forms: leaves and spray. For virtually all cats, the former is far more effective.
This can be eaten or inhaled. The technique used to acquire catnip has an impact on the outcome.
The way your cat reacts to catnip is determined by how much she loves it. The smell is responsible for the classic catnip response of rolling, playing, and verbalizing before resting. This response is triggered by the scent of nepetalactone.
It’s also okay for your cat to eat catnip. However, this is likely to change the reaction.
The cat will get sleepy and relaxed almost instantly. When cats eat catnip, they skip through the fun period and get directly to ecstasy.
Can Too Much Catnip Kill A Cat?
Catnip is a natural essential oil that has no chemicals that can kill a cat or create an overdose in a cat.
There is such a thing as too much catnip, though. If a cat consumes too much catnip, it may just cause a stomachache.
However, you should be warned that kitten catnip overdoses are possible. Although these instances don’t happen very often, they are still possible.
In cat terminology, an overdose occurs when cats consume too much catnip, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. Excess catnip is not going to kill your cat.
Cats don’t seem to overdose on catnip because they can tell when they’ve got enough.
However, this may not be the same for all felines. Some cats will accept as much catnip as you are prepared to provide.
The easiest method to avoid a catnip overdose is to keep the amount of catnip you provide to a minimum. There’s no need to be alarmed if you unintentionally feed your cat too much catnip.
With a little rest, most cats that experience diarrhea and vomiting from a catnip overdose can recover perfectly fine at home. When in doubt, however, we advise that you contact your veterinarian.
How To Make Catnip Tea For Cats?
Cats aren’t the only ones that enjoy catnip. According to research, catnip has moderate sedative properties. The plant is frequently used in human drinks to help people sleep and relax.
This tea is safe for cats as long as it is caffeine-free. It must, of course, cool off first. Never give a cat a cup of hot tea. You can’t use milk or sugar, either.
This drink could be useful for getting finicky cats to drink more water. It’s preferable than putting catnip in the water.
Catnip tea is a healthy and pleasant treat for your cat, produced by steeping catnip leaves in boiling water and then pouring over ice.
Follow this recipe to make catnip tea for your little feline friend. You may make slight changes to this recipe if you wish to.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried catnip
- 2 cups of water
Directions:
- In a tea steeper, place dried catnip.
- Boil the water and pour it over the catnip.
- Allow three to five minutes for steeping.
- Drain and cool in a jar, or drain over ice and serve.
Before serving, make sure the tea has totally cooled. The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How Much Catnip Can A Cat Have?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to feeding catnip to a kitty. Catnip in various forms should be given twice to three times a week, according to some research.
One serving of catnip is more than enough for most cats. Despite the fact that the herb is harmless and non-toxic to cats, you should only feed it to your cat once.
The law of diminishing returns is the major rationale behind this advice. The more you feed your cat catnip, the quicker she becomes desensitized. The benefits of catnip on your kitty will fade with time and will not be as intense as they were the first time you gave it to him.
Are Catnip Toys Safe For Kittens?
Toys made with catnip are safe and suggested. Catnip may be found on almost any toy at a pet store. This is what makes felines want to play and hunt with them.
If your cat has lost interest in a once-loved toy, the fragrance of catnip has most certainly faded. This is a simple problem that you can tackle easily.
Place the toy in a container with catnip leaves around it and leave it for the night. Remove the toy in the morning and brush away any loose catnip. The toy will most likely offer your cat with a new interest.
Instead of buying pre-filled or scented catnip toys, look for refillable toys at a pet store or online. Pre-filled toys might contain low-quality catnip that rapidly loses its potency.
To ensure that the herb is always powerful enough to have an impact on your cat, fill refillable toys with excellent quality, organic catnip and replace it on a regular basis.
A clean, spare sock may also be used to construct a basic catnip toy. Add a pinch or two of catnip to the sock before tying it firmly.
Replace the catnip every week or so to keep it fresh. Alternatively, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the top shut.
Cats typically entertain themselves by playing with common household things, so keep it simple when providing your cat catnip toys. Fill a tiny paper bag with a pinch of catnip and make a tight ball for your cat to play with.
You can use these different methods to make toys for your cat to play with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Safe To Put Catnip In Cat Food?
It’s completely safe to put catnip in your cat’s food, as it contains no harmful ingredients. If your cat eats a significant amount of catnip, it may cause a slight stomach upset, although this is unlikely.
Can I Give My Cat Catnip Everyday?
Catnip is generally harmless for most cats. You can feed catnip to your pet on a daily basis, but not more than once a day. Your pet will get desensitized to it.
Does Catnip Calm Cats Down?
Catnip can help cats relax and play, which can both assist to relieve stress. Catnip is available in a dry version that may be sprinkled over scratching pads or your cat’s bed.
Final Words
Catnip is a mint-like plant that contains nepetalactone, a substance that gives cats a “high.” You can grow your own catnip or buy excellent quality catnip in plant, dried, flake, pellet, or spray form.
You could purchase refillable catnip toys or create simple toys for your cat to love. Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior and limit the amount of catnip you feed it.
If your cat is allergic to catmint and you notice any negative effects, it is recommended that you visit a veterinarian.
Drop down your doubts and queries in the comment section below and we will answer them soon!
