Published: 6/25/2021
If you’ve welcomed a furry feline into your life, then you
are no stranger to the pawsome
benefits these
loving critters bring. From the healing power of their
purring, to the
unconditional love they shower us with, cats are special indeed.
When you are looking to give some of that love back, treats
and toys are obvious choices for cat happiness, but
catnip
is in a category all its own. This unique plant can make some cats go bonkers,
and is widely available as a dried herb, stuffed into toys, and even inside
catnip bubbles!
Whether you’ve already exposed your cat to the nip, or are
trying it for the first time, you may have noticed that it doesn’t come with
any instructions. Just how much catnip should cats get? Let’s explore how much
catnip is safe for your cat, and why your cat even wants this weedy plant at
all. But first, what is catnip?
Catnip is a member of the mint family, or Lamiaceae family,
which includes the human favorites peppermint, sage, basil, thyme, and lavender.
Also called catmint or catwort, Nepeta cataria can be found growing wild
throughout the world, including the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
This weed sprouts lovely pink speckled flowers, and has a
smell that is quite distinctive. That’s due to a special oil inside the plant
that attracts the attention of felines, and helped give this plant its name.
How Catnip Affects Your Cat
So why does your cat go crazy when they smell catnip? It’s
because of the essential oil hidden inside called nepetalactone. Nature created
it to protect plants in the Nepeta genus from insects, but this chemical is
also thought to mimic
cat
pheromones. That’s why many cats are attracted to it, and react in all sorts
of unusual ways.
Generally, there are two reactions to catnip. The first is
the stereotypical hyperactive behavior catnip is known to induce, such as running
around, rolling, and flipping wildly with wide, crazy eyes. This reaction
occurs when cats smell catnip, whether they sniff a pile of the dried stuff, or
smell it in toys or rubbed on cat trees. However, when eaten, catnip typically
produces a sedative effect which can cause kitties to act sleepy, purr, drool
and nap.
Some cats, though, have no reaction at all. It is estimated
that only 50% to 75% of cats are genetically hard-wired to be affected by
catnip. If your cat turns their nose away when you get out that bag of green,
dried herb, they may be one of those felines who simply aren’t affected. And
for those cats who do feel catnip’s furbulous effects, they won’t be receptive
to catnip until they are at least over 3 months old.
How Much Catnip Should You Give Your Cat?
It’s difficult to know how much catnip you should give your
cat, as catnip packaging usually doesn’t offer any instructions. And that’s because
there really aren’t any standard guidelines to follow. Catnip is considered safe,
and cats seem to have an innate knowledge about when to stop eating or sniffing
it.
In fact, cats not only instinctively know when they’ve had enough,
but their bodies actually turn off their receptivity to catnip after they’ve
ingested some, which is about the time your cat loses interest. It can take up
to two hours for your cat’s body to reset and be able to feel the affects of
catnip again.
And while cats are highly unlikely to
overdose on
catnip, there’s always a chance that they may eat too much and affect their
digestive system, which can result in vomiting and diarrhea. If these symptoms
occur, you’ll need to cut back on the amount you give them, but they should
pass without any other side effects. If they don’t, however, take your cat to
the veterinarian to find out why they symptoms are continuing.
So how much is too much, or how much should you start with?
Simply put, start small and watch how your cat reacts. Check out the following tips when giving catnip to your cat.
Tips on how to give catnip to your cat
#1 Try the Smell Test. Rub catnip on toys, a cat tree or scratching post first and see how your cat reacts. If they get excited, rub themselves all over the smelly objects and become hyperactive, your cat is one of the lucky 50% to 75%!
#2 Start Small. Add a teaspoon to a tablespoon of dried catnip to a small plate or bowl, and set in front of your cat. Then, watch the antics as they lick, eat and roll in it! Next time, you can add a little more and see what your cat eats and what they leave behind, as this can tell you how much their body can handle, and what your average dose should be.
#3 Careful with Kittens. For very young kitties, start smaller with a teaspoon or less of dried catnip, or just a small toy rubbed in catnip, and be sure your little feline is at least over 3 months old. Note that some kitties need to be a bit older to really be affected by the nip.
#4 Spread It Out. Space out the catnip indulgences as your cat can become less sensitive to it if they are exposed to it often. Save it for playtimes and special times, and don’t just leave catnip out for them all the time.
#5 Keep it Safe. If your cat is a crazy critter who crashes and bashes into things after a nip dip, give them a safe area to play in by removing any dangerous obstacles. It may also be best to give catnip to your indoor/outdoor cat when they are safe inside to prevent any wandering or dangerous situations.
#6 Share the Love. Catnip isn’t just for your cat, as you can enjoy it too! For humans, catnip produces a sedative, calming affect and can be easily consumed as a tea. With a small pile for your kitty, and a steaming cup for you, you can bond over a mutual love of this meowtastic herb and relax with your best feline furiend.
Enjoy!