Is Too Much Catnip Bad For Cats – Catnip has a comical reputation for giving cats a certain high, but what exactly is it? Is catnip a drug for cats? Can cats overdose on catnip? The Best Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care team is here to help you learn the truth about catnip and what it does to your feline friends.
Catnip is a plant that comes from the mint family and is loosely related to other mint plants such as sage, rosemary and oregano. This delicious bloodline is known to have distinctive scents that even our weaker human senses can detect. The feline species is so attracted to the catnip plant in particular because it has a compound called nepetalactone, which actually binds to nasal receptors and gives them a sensation that is apparently euphoric.
Is Too Much Catnip Bad For Cats
When cats encounter catnip, they tend to either have huge bursts of energy and run or roll around excitedly or collapse next to it in a puddle of purrs. Scientists can’t say for sure whether catnip is a drug for cats similar to how drugs or alcohol affect the human brain. Some cats (such as kittens) do not seem to be equally affected by this particular plant, but many researchers believe that catnip affects all cats in one way or another.
Catnip: What Is It? How To Use It?
The current consensus is that cats cannot overdose on catnip in the traditional sense of the word, but they can potentially get sick if they have too much of it. Some cats have stomach problems such as vomiting or diarrhea after eating catnip, and others start to show aggressive behavior. You know your cat best, so it’s up to you to decide if this treat is a fun benefit for your cat or if it’s something you should leave in the nursery.
For cats who respond positively to catnip, it can be a great addition to their daily routine, and catnip toys can even encourage cats who tend to be a bit more lazy to be more active. Try some catnip toys to see if they move your cat.
The Best Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care team is here to help you figure out how to keep your cats happy and healthy throughout their lives. To learn more about our wide range of services or to schedule an appointment, call (704) 334-4684.
Tags: can cats overdose on catnip | how long does catnip last | is catnip a drug for cats | is catnip good for cats Catnip is a well-recognized treat for many cats. It can even drive some cats a little crazy. But what exactly is catnip and how much catnip is safe for your cat? Can cats get too much catnip?
Catnip: Why Your Cat Loves It (+ 4 Human Uses!)
Catnip is a member of the mint plant family. It grows wild in many places or can be planted in a patch for your own cats. Many people grow fresh leaves for their cats, while others simply buy bags of dried catnip or toys that are full of catnip.
If you decide to grow your own, be aware that this is a hardy perennial that spreads easily. Most cats like both dry and fresh forms. You may need to try both to see which version your cat prefers.
When you analyze a catnip plant you find volatile oils, sterols, tannins and some acids. Nepetalactone is one of the volatile oils. This seems to be the main component that cats react to. This chemical is very close to the natural pheromones that cats make.
When your cat rolls, chews, licks or rubs catnip, nepetalactone oil is released. That oil is then inhaled as your cat sniffs and chews. Olfactory cells in her nose send the substance to nerve cells throughout the brain. Many of the cat’s reactions are linked to the behavior stimulated by similar natural pheromones.
Why Do Cats Like Catnip? · Falls Village Vet Hospital
Along with domestic cats, many big cats such as tigers and lions react to catnip. Zoos often give catnip plants to their cats for enrichment or spread dried catnip around their enclosures.
Only about 50 to 75% of all cats show any reaction to catnip and its oils. This is a genetic, so inherited response. The exact behavior varies from cat to cat. Most cats will drool, roll around, even on the catnip or the impregnated toy, many will vocalize. Many of these behaviors are similar to a cat “in heat”. Eventually they soften.
Other cats react with hyperexcitability and aggression. These cats may bite or claw as they experience the effects of the oil. Others run wildly around and make spectacular jumps. Some cats do not respond.
It’s generally best to just watch your cat and enjoy her antics while she’s “under the influence” of catnip. Even gentle cats are less inhibited and the sweetest cats can bite or scratch.
How Much Catnip Should You Give A Cat?
There is no “dose” for catnip such as 2 leaves twice a week or a tablespoon of dried catnip weekly. This is not a supplement, medicine or treatment of any kind. So there is no fixed amount or clinical evidence to support dosage. A few leaves of fresh catnip or a large “pinch” of dried is usually enough to distract your cat (and you).
Most vets recommend keeping catnip as a “treat”. Depending on your cat, you may want to limit cat time to once or twice a week. Or make it extra special and save it for occasions when you want your cat to mellow out a bit. That would mean picking up catnip toys after play and keeping them safely out of your cat’s reach.
Storing storage in the freezer helps retain potency (and keeps it safely away from your smart cat!)
Catnip is not considered toxic, but if a cat gets too much exposure, some cats will vomit and/or have diarrhea. Some researchers feel that fairly constant exposure will result in a cat that no longer responds to catnip or has a greatly reduced response.
Kitty Crack Or A Natural Sedative—can Cats Eat Catnip?
The behavior triggered by catnip tends to last about 10 minutes. At that point, many cats “crash” and take a nap or lie around feeling mellow. Most cats will not react to another exposure to catnip in 30 minutes to 2 hours.
As well as providing entertainment and enrichment for your cat, catnip has a number of practical uses. If your cat reacts to catnip in a mild way, you can use it to help her with environmental changes. Rubbing some catnip on a scratching post can encourage your cat to choose it over your couch. If you add a new bed, a sprinkling of dry catnip will get her to try it more quickly.
Keeping a carrier on the floor and putting some catnip in it each time makes the carrier less intimidating and can help the next time you load your cat for a walk. If you’re moving, sprinkle some catnip around your new home or apartment.
If your cat reacts to catnip in a hyper or aggressive way, it is best to avoid using it.
Is Catnip Safe For Cats?
This is also true in a multi-cat household if you have one cat that gets meek and another that gets hyper. You can separate the cats and treat only the one that softens, but then you have to keep the cats apart for about two hours.
Because the oils in catnip are linked to sex pheromones and behavior, young kittens usually show no response to catnip. When they reach puberty around 6 months, the “responders” will become apparent.
Since catnip is not a regulated supplement or treatment, you will need to do some research on your own to find safe sources of catnip. If you grow your own, you know it’s free of chemicals or heavy metals. If you buy catnip (fresh or dried), look for organic sources or ask your vet about reliable herbs. Herb festivals often have both fresh and dried catnip available.
When buying catnip toys, look for the country of origin. Team USA tend to be the safest games. This is especially true if your cat chews on toys, not just kicking them with her paws or rolling on them.
What Is Catnip And Should I Give It To My Cat?
Catnip can be a fun source of enrichment for many cats. If it excites your cat to excessive behavior, stick to regular wheatgrass and skip the catnip. Keep catnip as a special treat – preferably no more than once or twice a week at most. The internet is full of funny cat videos showing their reactions to a plant known as ‘catnip’. What is catnip, does it affect all cats, is it safe for cats, and should people use it? This special feature explores these questions and more.
Is catnip driving your feline friend crazy? In this special feature, we find out why – or why not.
, or “catnip”, is an herb that belongs to the same plant family as mint. Although it originated in parts of Europe and Asia, the plant is now common on several continents, including North America.
Because, like common mint, catnip multiplies easily, many cat owners
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