{"id":438904,"date":"2023-11-15T13:18:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T18:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=438904"},"modified":"2024-06-07T09:26:13","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T13:26:13","slug":"is-catnip-bad-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-health-care\/is-catnip-bad-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Catnip Bad for Cats? Vet-Verified Facts to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have seen your cat go crazy for catnip and act as if they are \u201chigh\u201d and you want to know if your cat\u2019s reaction is normal, or perhaps you want to make sure this plant is safe before giving it to your cat\u2014it is.<\/p>\n

Catnip is completely safe for cats to smell and consume and the Pet Poison Helpline deems it as not toxic to cats1<\/sup><\/a>.<\/b> However, it can be bad for cats if they eat too much catnip, which is why it is important to monitor how much catnip your cat has access to.<\/p>\n

Most cats simply love the smell of catnip and will purr and rub themselves on the leaves to expose the natural substance that gives them a euphoric feeling.<\/p>\n

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Is Catnip Harmful to Cats?<\/h2>\n

Catnip is not bad for cats, and it is not toxic or poisonous, making it safe for many cats. The only way for catnip to be harmful to a cat is if they have an allergy to the plant or if they ingest too much at once. Catnip\u2019s fibers are not easily digested, which in excess can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.<\/p>\n

Catnip is considered harmless to cats. It is not an actual drug that causes negative side effects, as it contains a natural chemical called\u00a0nepetalactone<\/a>.\u00a0<\/i>Microscopic glands located on the underside of the leaf produce this substance, along with many of the plant\u2019s oils and volatile chemicals. When these are touched or broken, the plant releases this natural chemical and gives cats a pleasurable feeling.<\/p>\n

It can only become harmful or bad to cats that consume too much, as they will likely suffer from diarrhea and vomiting according to the ASPCA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The good news is that cats can recover from this, and the only risk of catnip \u201coverdosing\u201d is if a cat becomes constipated or dehydrated. It is more of a dietary indiscretion reaction, rather than true poisoning, as catnip does not contain toxic elements. Although some cats may become oversedated or overstimulated, this is not a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n

How Does Catnip Affect Cats?<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Catnip<\/a> (Nepeta cataria)<\/em> is an herb from the mint plant family. It contains a natural chemical called nepetalactone that is released from the plant, and it only seems to affect members of the feline family, such as cats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This plant gives cats almost a euphoric feeling<\/a> once it has been ingested or inhaled, which might sound scary to some cat parents because we assume it is bad for our cats. However, this natural chemical and plant are not harmful to cats, and the only bad side effects are from ingesting too much of this plant or from rare allergy cases.<\/p>\n

When the chemical nepetalactone is inhaled, it passes through the cat\u2019s vomeronasal organ at the root of their mouth. This organ is an accessory of the olfactory system found in several species of animals; its function is to detect pheromones. Nepetalactone binds to the receptors in the cat\u2019s vomeronasal or Jacobson organ. This works with the sensory neurons in the cat\u2019s brain and mimics feline sex pheromones. Your cat will likely experience a euphoric effect and act as if they were high. This feeling only lasts for a few minutes, and not all cats will experience a high from catnip, around 60% will.<\/p>\n

It is also important to know that cats under 6 months of age might not be affected by catnip when it is inhaled, but they could suffer from the negative side effects if they eat too much which is why you should not give your cat more and more catnip if you see they are ingesting it.<\/p>\n

After giving your cat catnip, you may see the following side effects:<\/div>
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