Updated: October 11, 2023 by CanCat Eat
Can cats eat catnip? Nepeta cataria, more often known as catnip, is a common plant that belongs to the mint family. Cat owners like us are always worried about what is good for our cats and what is not good for our cats. As a cat-ower, we are responsible for her well-being. Being in charge of another life means we have the burden of our pet’s health. We love our cats. We get to enjoy ourselves at the same time as we like to do things for our cats. And of course, we want to see them healthy and safe.
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Can Cats Eat Catnip
Our Life becomes easier when we are in an active forum with other cat owners. Since we are friends, I am here to help you out with this confusion. Today we are going to answer Can cats eat catnip? Let’s find out the answer.
Yes, They can eat catnip. But, when a cat eats catnip. They go crazy about it. It triggers those receptors and they act seductively. Cat rubs and chews on catnips as they release nepetalactone. In one word, Catnip is safe for cats.
What Does Catnip Do To Cats? So what is catnip?
Catnip is a herb. This herb falls under the mint family. It is also called catswort and catmint. And, This plant contains some kind of chemical compound called nepetalactone
Cats On Catnip
Nepetalactone is a stimulant. This chemical affects our feline friend. This can be found in the leaves and stems of this plant. Some cats have sniffed it. They have experienced a feeling of being “high”.
This is the same experience as when people smoke medical marijuana. The effect lasts for not more than ten or fifteen minutes. And a few moments later your kitty goes back to her normal self. After your cat has recovered. The catnip can show another effect after an hour or so.
However, it should be noted that all cats don’t react to catnip. Cats may be heavily affected by the chemical compound that is in it. Some cats may not be affected by this chemical compound in the catnip.
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Can Cats Eat Catnip Plant
Many cats get attracted to the catnip. As catnip is not poisonous to cats. Catnip plants are also safe for your cat. You can use catnip plants on your cat without any worry. They are not toxic.
How To Use Catnip For Cats
You could sprinkle a small amount of catnip by creating a toy for your indoor cat. Most cat owners use catnip toys, dried catnip, dried catnip, a live catnip toy, solid catnip balls, catnip bubbles, and catnip spray.
So, is catnip good for cats? yes, Catnip is from the Mint family. With the fresh leave of catnip, you can smell the scent This scent intoxicates cats when they smell it. That is why cats roll and get crazy over it. The leaves of catnips help the volatile oil disperse into the air. So, your Cats can get a good sniff. Most cats love it.
If your cat is not eating or she is depressed for some reason. You can try catnip to lure her and notice if she eats the food, or if she is sick for some reason. Or it is because of the food that she doesn’t want to eat.
Different Types of Catnips
First of all, let’s discuss different types of catnips.
- Catnips can be packed inside a toy. You can find them sometimes as toys shaped like a mouse. There are a lot of playable toys for cats. Some of them contain catnip in them. So, it shows that the cats not only like playing with them but also love them. The catnip contained inside the toy is also playing with their mind in a playful way.
- There are also dry catnips sold in pet stores. Catnips can be in the form of flakes. However, most catnip pellets do have a stronger effect than catnip flakes. So, you have to choose the right thing that you want your cats to have.
- Catnip sprays are also available in the market. This spray can be used on furniture or in the environment where your feline friend usually plays.
- You can always buy fresh catnips. Otherwise, you can get a real plant or fresh catnip. You can grow them up to three feet. Catnips can survive on pots. You could place them in the window and in your cat’s enclosure. if your cat eats catnip. It does not necessarily mean that they like the taste. Cats chew on catnip leaves. They get more of the nepetalactone.
You can also purchase them in gardening centers.
Let’s find out if your cat can eat catnip. So, let us go straight to that question.
Can Cats Eat Catnip?
Yes, that’s right. cats can eat catnip. It contains no toxic substances. So, you do not have to worry about food poisoning while giving catnips to cats.
However, catnip should be fed in small amounts once a while in moderate quantities only. If you are feeding too much catnip to your cats may make them puke. In some cases, even results in diarrhea. You may want to monitor how much your cat has been eating the catnip.
Catnip triggers a different reaction in cats. As to when it is simply smelled and when it is ingested.
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What Happens To Cat When They Sniff Catnip?
When sniffed, catnip makes cats act a little crazy. They become hyperactive. You may notice your cat acting tipsy or full-blown intoxicated. It is likely that your feline friend may be sensitive to catnip. It may also manifest through your cat being spastic.
Catnip aroma may contain pheromones. That put our cats in a state of bliss. So, if you have idle cats sitting at home. And you want to see their wild side. You may want to get some catnip for them to turn them on.
Nepetalactone or Nepeta cataria also results in aggressiveness among cats.
Aside from that, kittens are immune to the chemical Nepetalactone. Young cats than eight weeks would seem indifferent around a catnip. Only cats aged seven months may show signs of sensitivity to this kind of herb. It is said that the herb smells something like cat pheromones. The following are the other possible reactions that could happen to cats because of catnip.
- Sneezing
- Licking and chewing
- Shaking of the head
- Rubbing on the cheek and chin
- Excessive mewing and purring
What Happens To Cat When They Eat Catnip?
Eating catnip gives cats a laid-back feeling. Catnip can act as a sedative to cats when consumed this way. A sedative is a kind of drug that makes a cat calm or sleepy. In this case, it can make cats less purr and meow. if you know what I mean by that.
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Benefit Of Catnips
Catnip offers few benefits to humans. First, it functions as a mosquito repellent. This avoids dengue, malaria, and other diseases transmitted by mosquitos. It is known to have sedative properties. It induces sleep and helps people relax. Its effect can also be comparable to chamomile. But, can cats get any benefit from catnip?
Well, yes. Catnip makes our feline friends happy. But, it is not because catnip is nutritious. Catnip is not something that our cats can get vitamins and minerals from. Catnips do not have protein or taurine. The benefits of catnip to cats are beyond its ingestion of it.
Catnip can actually aid in kitty training. You could use catnips to lure your cat. This way you could prevent your cat from scratching your good furniture.
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Is Catnip Harmful To Cats?
Generally, cats can be so close to catnip. And it would not hurt them at all. However, I should warn you about catnips and pregnant kitties. Some research says that catnip is not safe to be sniffed or consumed by cats when they carry kitties inside them.
What Does Catnip Do To Humans
Catnip is known to be a uterine stimulant. Putting this substance near pregnant cats is not advisable by veterinary practitioners. Even pregnant humans are not allowed to go near catnip. It may result in uterine contractions.
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Can Cats Overdoes On Catnip
Catnip may not be dangerous to cats if they eat too much. However, cats can still have too much of it. Although, we are not sure if an overdose is the right word to use or not.
You will see, large quantities of catnip can make your cats sick. But, veterinary practitioners will advise you that cats can actually sense when they reach the limit of catnip tolerable.
Unless someone forces them to feed on catnip. That is just cruel. And, she will experience mild health troubles because of catnip. His body can recover in time with rest.
Is it addictive?
No, catnip is not addictive to cats. Even with its very alluring smell which seems to hypnotize the cat like a whacko. It would not affect your cat’s appetite. But, make some kind of feline disorder to your cat. It does not mean, that you should have your cats nibble on catnip leaves all day of the week. The treat should be more special if you give it to him occasionally.
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How Does Catnip Do It?
What catnip does to cats is still a mystery. But, there are a few explanations. How catnip works its way into a cat’s brain.
Catnip creates a hallucinogenic effect on our feline friend. This effect is the same as when humans take LSD. But, I am not encouraging you to take drugs with your cat. So, you and your cat could experience the same high.
There is also an assumption that we know catnip acts as an aphrodisiac. This is because cats under the influence of catnip demonstrate the behavior of rolling on the floor. This is kind of mimicking a female cat that is sexually receptive or fertile.
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Do cats eat catnip?
Yes, cats can eat catnip, and some cats enjoy doing so. However, it is important to keep in mind that catnip is not a food, but rather an herb that has a stimulating effect on cats. Eating too much of it can cause digestive upset or other health issues in cats.
Therefore, it is best to offer catnip to your cat in small amounts or as a treat, rather than as a regular part of their diet. Additionally, it is important to use high-quality, organic catnip that is free from any harmful chemicals or additives.
Conclusion
There must be a reason they have named it “catnip” this way. They must have some special relationship with the cat. It seems catnip is our cat’s favorite thing. So, Overall catnips are safe for cats to eat. There is no problem giving catnips to our cats, but once in a while in moderation. Hope this article helps you to get all your answers related to “can cats eat catnip“.
What Does Catnip Do To Cats?
