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As a cat parent, you may wonder, "Are cats supposed to eat catnip?” The short answer is yes—catnip is considered appropriate for cats to consume. However, remember to consult your veterinarian before feeding catnip or anything else new to your cat.
Catnip—known scientifically as Nepeta cataria—is an herb that belongs to the mint family. The plant grows primarily in North America, producing light-green foliage and lavender flowers. Humans have used catnip to make relaxing teas, cough suppressants and natural bug sprays.
If you’ve ever seen a cat eating catnip, you may have noticed them performing some odd behaviors, such as intense playfulness, affection or calmness. There’s usually no reason to worry about these behavioral reactions, as most of the time they last only about 5–15 minutes.
However, some cats (more often males) can act aggressively when exposed to catnip, exhibiting behaviors like hissing, growling or attacking pets or humans. If your cat is acting in an undesirable way after catnip exposure, avoid giving it to your cat again.
It’s also possible for a cat to completely ignore catnip. This is normal—each cat reacts to catnip differently. About a third of all cats exposed to catnip will show no reaction to it. While it’s a stereotype for all cats to go wild over catnip, some cats simply don’t care. How a cat responds to catnip is likely determined by genetic traits.
Good news! Catnip is generally appropriate for cats to smell or eat in moderation and has no addictive qualities. But how does catnip work? And is it healthy for cats?
The primary compound in catnip responsible for causing behavioral reactions is an aromatic oil called nepetalactone. When a cat smells catnip, exposure to this oil can cause temporary behavioral changes. The scent imitates feline sex hormones (called pheromones), which explains why some cats may act like they’re “in heat” while enjoying the substance. Both male and female cats can experience these effects.
While one cat sniffing catnip may become energetic, another cat eating catnip may show signs of relaxation. Eating catnip can lead to rest and lethargy because the plant contains calming properties. Humans have used catnip in tea for its sedative effect.
Even though catnip is nontoxic for cats, you should provide it only in moderate amounts. Remember, catnip isn’t really food—it’s an herb. If your cat overeats catnip, they may have diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness and poor coordination. To limit the chances of overconsumption, you can offer your cat toys containing catnip for smelling only.
Catnip is generally a good "any time" treat because most cats respond to it in innocent ways, though some cats might become hyperactive or irritable. If your cat begins to display aggressive behavior, consider alternative treats for your pet.
Usually, the effects of catnip in cats are most noticeable for the first 10 minutes after exposure. After 10 minutes, any behavioral reactions tend to wear off. It may take about an hour for your cat's system to reset and be responsive to catnip again. Be careful about overindulging your cat; cats may become sick if they eat too much.
If you’re wondering if it is good for cats to eat catnip, remember that our feline family members are carnivores.
Do cats get high when they eat catnip? Can cats overdose on catnip? You might have heard that catnip is a drug for cats, but while your cat might appear “high” on catnip, catnip is an herb, not a medication, and it doesn’t have any addictive qualities or known long-term health effects.
Catnip effects on cats vary widely. Whether your cat behaves lovingly, excitedly, or aggressively depends largely on genetic traits. Only about 50–70% of cats have any reaction at all to catnip, and kittens may not show any response to catnip until they are 6 months old.
Do cats eat catnip fresh or dry? Both forms of catnip are acceptable. However, fresh catnip is stronger, so a little goes a long way. Dry catnip is available in jars, cans and bags. Another option is catnip oil or spray, which you can use to spray your feline’s favorite toy. Many toys and scratchers are stuffed with catnip, too.
Catnip isn’t dangerous for young kittens, but it generally won’t have an effect on them initially, either. Cats don’t develop sensitivity to catnip until they are 3–6 months old. If you have a kitten, you might not have any luck getting a reaction.
Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.
