FAQ About About Cats and Catnip
Whether you’re a veteran cat lover or new to the feline world, we all know about cats loving catnip. With no shortage of funny photography and videos about the reactions cats can have to the herb, it’s easy to see that many of our furbabies are obsessed with the herb. But have you ever stopped to wonder why do cats like catnip so much? Here, I’m sharing some frequently asked questions about cats and catnip, along with some of the best catnip products you can get for your furbaby!
Table of Contents
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What is Catnip?
A common herb in the mint family, catnip is an easy-to-grow plant that cats tend to love. In fact, the scientific name Nepeta cataria (cataria meaning “of a cat”) indicates just how long the herb has been associated with cats.
With light green leaves and a herby scent, catnip leaves are pretty useful, both as cat entertainment and as a natural remedy. Catnip is sometimes used in teas to alleviate coughs, for example, or in bug sprays as insect repellant.
Left: Examples of catnip plants and flowers
Right: My cat Louis spending time next to our catnip plant
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
Why Do Cats React To Catnip?: How Catnip Affect Cats
Catnip leaves and stems contain nepetalactone oil, which is what triggers cats’ robust response to the herb. The scent of nepetalactone oil triggers a pheromone response in cats, giving them a “sense of euphoria or overwhelming happiness,” according to The Dodo.
Catnip effects typically last between ten minutes and a half an hour, depending on each cats’ sensitivity. After enjoying some catnip, it can take a few hours for a cat to become susceptible to the herb again.
Catnip is nontoxic, so a cat cannot overdose on catnip. If a cat eats too much of the herb, they may have an upset stomach.
How To Use Catnip To Calm Cats
While the euphoric response to catnip is well known, some cat lovers might ask: can catnip calm cats? Anecdotally, I’ve seen the herb sooth and calm cats in my life, especially when they eat the leaves off the catnip plant I grow in my patio garden.
Interestingly, while smelling catnip can excite cats, eating the herb can have sedative effects. So, giving cats catnip leaves or loose dried catnip to eat can actually have a calming effect!
My cats napping in their favorite heated bed with a collection of catnip toys.
How Many Cats React To Catnip?
Somewhere between 50 to 80 percent of cats are able to feel the effects of catnip, according to The Dodo, and a cat’s predisposition for this is based on their genetics.
For most cats, sensitivity to catnip kicks in between three and six months of age. Kittens under three months probably won’t respond to it.
However, even as adults, some cats don’t respond to catnip. They may still like fun catnip toys because of the other enrichment factors they offer, but not because of the nepetalactone oil response.
Catnip Like Plants: Alternative Plants to Catnip
Cats without catnip sensitivity may still respond to other catnip-like herbs, such as silver vine, valerian root, and catmint. While these herbs are not the same as catnip, they can elicit similar euphoric responses in cats. In fact, many catnip toys are mixed with silver vine and valerian root, like this cigar shaped kicker toy or these feline dental sticks!
Catnip FAQ
- Why do cats like catnip? – Long story short, cats have a pheromone-like response to the nepetalactone oil in catnip plant stems and leaves. This triggers a euphoric response in most (but not all) cats, which lasts for anywhere between ten and thirty minutes.
- Is catnip safe for cats? – Yes, catnip is safe for cats. Catnip is nontoxic so cats cannot overdose on it. If they eat too much at one time, they may upset their stomach, but cats will typically stop eating it before this happens.
- How often can cats have catnip? – Cats can have catnip as often as they want, but they may not respond to it with equal fervor. After triggering the catnip effect, it can take a few hours for a cat’s sensitivity to it to come back fully.
- Can cats eat catnip leaves? – Yes, cats can eat catnip leaves. When eaten, the leaves can have a calming effect.
- Can you grow catnip at home? – Yes, catnip is easy to grow! You can start with a catnip seeds or buy a sprouted catnip plant. I’ve been growing catnip on my patio for about a year now and have had great luck with this catnip seed pack and with this cat herb multipack (which features both catnip and valerian).
- What other plants are like catnip? – Catnip is a herb from the mint family, so many types of mint are similar, including catmint. Besides catmint, there are catnip alternatives that many cats enjoy, such as silver vine, valerian root, and tatarian honeysuckle.
- Are cat grass and catnip the same thing? – Cat grass and catnip are not the same thing. Cat grass is a different type of plant, typically grown from some kind of oat, wheat, or barley seed, rather than a herb. Cats often like to eat grass, so cat grass is a safer option than outdoor grass, which is often treated with chemicals.
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Further Reading & Resources on Catnip and Cats
- What is Catnip and What Does it Do for Cats? – PetMD by Chewy
- Why Are Cats Obsessed With Catnip? – The Dodo
- Crazy for Catnip – The Human Society of the United States
- Options for Cats Who Don’t Vibe with Catnip – The Dodo
- What is Cat Grass – PetMD by Chewy
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my Cat Care Guide covers everything you need to know about giving your cat their best life!
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*This post was originally published as part of my Cat Mom Life series in March 2024. It was most recently updated on March 14, 2024.
Awe, this totally makes me miss my cat. This was interesting to read. I’ve had cats that loved catnip, but my last one didn’t respond to it.
Aw, thinking of you and your furbaby! I’m glad you found it interesting. My three cats love catnip, but I’ve known a couple others who could take it or leave it. It’s interesting that some cats are so indifferent to it when others are obsessed, like my cats!