Can I put catnip in my cats food?

What Is Catnip & Is It Safe for My Cat?

Why does it make one of my cats crazy and not even affect my other cat?

The essential oil in catnip can turn one lazy cat into one crazy cat only if the cat has inherited sensitivity to catnip’s effects. This trait doesn’t emerge until a cat is around three to six months old. 1

Catnip sensitivity is hereditary and it’s estimated that approximately half of cats have no reaction, while the other half are highly affected by catnip. 1

Why exactly is my cat crazy for catnip?

When cats who are affected by catnip get a whiff of it, the scent targets the “happy” receptors in a cat’s brain. However, when a cat eats the catnip, it tends to have the opposite effect. The catnip acts as a sedative and the cat will often mellow out, roll around, flip, rub themselves on furniture, or zone out, and some cats may even get aggressive and growl or meow.

Either way, these moods often last about 10 minutes, after which the cat will reset and become their normal, furry selves again. 2 The cat won’t have another reaction to more catnip until about 30 minutes after they’ve had their initial dose of catnip. 3

Does catnip get my kitty high?

Yes, in a way. The main ingredient in catnip is a stimulant that produces a “high” that, for your cat, is similar to either marijuana or LSD. 2 This is why he looks like he’s in a trance after eating or sniffing catnip.

Can my cat overdose on catnip?

Although cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip, they can get sick and have diarrhea or vomit from eating too much of it — whether that means they’ve consumed all of the catnip hidden in their toys, or too much catnip oil is rubbed onto them. 2

Trust your cat to know when she’s had enough, and be mindful of how much catnip you feed her, too. After all, catnip is meant to be a treat, so be sure to only give her catnip in limited doses, not as her regular meals.

So, is catnip safe to feed my cat?

Yes, catnip has been proven safe for cats. In fact, people used to use catnip to brew tea and soothe upset stomachs (catnip doesn’t affect people the way it affects cats). 4 Catnip isn’t toxic or addictive, and it can be used as a reward or training aid.

Although, again, be mindful of how much catnip you’re giving your cat since, as mentioned above, excessive amounts may cause your cat to get sick, and maybe even have short spells of diarrhea or vomiting. 1 Try not to indulge them more than every two or three weeks. 2

Plus, if you give your cat too much catnip, his body may acclimate to it, and the exciting effects that it usually gets will wear off over time. If you spread out how often your cat receives catnip, he’ll still reap the benefits of it.

Should I put catnip in my cat’s food?

No. It’s best to save catnip to rub onto scratching posts, stuff into their toys, or sprinkle it into a new bed so she can adjust to a new environment.

Although catnip is available in spray forms, we’d recommend using the dry type that’s often found in a package. Plus, it’s always fun to shake the package and see how your cat reacts — she’s likely to get very excited!

Want to keep the treats rolling in?

Join Paw Points ® and get your paws on some treats. Use your Paw Points ® to get fun treats. Check out the catalog to see all the fun, irresistible ways to make your cat feel special.

Crazy for catnip. (n.d.). https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/crazy-catnip
Coates J. (n.d.). Does catnip really get your cat high? Facts about your cat’s favorite plant. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/jcoates/2011/june/cats_and_catnip-does_it_really_get_them_high_and_why-11271
How does catnip work its magic on cats? (2007). https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-how-does-catnip-work-on-cats/
Nepeta cataria effects on humans. (n.d.). http://nepetacataria.org/nepeta-cataria-effects-on-humans/

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Can I Add Catnip to My Cat’s Food? What You Need To Know!

We all know that a large number of cats love catnip. In fact, it’s estimated that somewhere between 50%–75% of cats are affected by catnip. Kittens, usually those under 6 months of age, and senior cats seem to be less likely to be big fans of catnip than other adult cats.

If your cat does love catnip, though, you’ve likely begun looking for a variety of ways to incorporate catnip into their daily activities. The primary way that most of us do this is by offering catnip toys or sprinkling catnip onto their scratchers. Some people have likely also seen catnip treats in the store, leading us to wonder if catnip can be added directly to a cat’s food.

Can Cats Eat Catnip?

It is perfectly safe for your cat to eat catnip. Some cats may not like to eat it, especially if they’re picky eaters, but your cat may also eat catnip sprinkled right onto their food. There are no safety concerns associated with feeding catnip to cats.

This also means that your cat can safely chew on a catnip plant, eat catnip leaves, and even drink a catnip tea. If your cat were to go crazy on a catnip plant or break into a package of catnip and eat it, then there is a possibility of mild stomach upset with the ingestion of a large amount of catnip.

Ways to Offer Catnip to Your Cat

Sprinkle It

You can sprinkle fresh or dried catnip directly onto your cat’s food. Some cats may prefer for it to be mixed into their food, so you may need to incorporate the catnip into the food. Other cats may eat it regardless of how it’s presented in their food. Your cat will quickly let you know if they approve of the way you’ve tried to give them catnip in their food.

Make Treats

If you’re the type of person who enjoys making things from scratch, then you’ll love the option of making catnip treats for your cat yourself and from scratch. There are lots of recipe options available, and you may even choose to make your own. Just make sure to stick to ingredients that are safe for cats and try to focus on treats that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. Also, always feed treats as less than 10% of your cat’s daily diet.

Grow a Catnip Plant

Catnip is a relative of mint plants, and it grows in a similar manner. It’s a prolific grower and reproducer, and catnip can take over a garden or yard if not kept under control. If you’re up for it, though, catnip is exceptionally easy to grow and requires minimal care, making it ideal for people with a brown thumb. You can offer fresh catnip leaves or buds to your cat directly from the plant. Make sure that your catnip plant is free of pesticides and other chemicals that may be dangerous for your cat.

Make Catnip Tea

Everyone loves a nice cup of tea, and your cat might like to join you. Catnip leaves, stems, and buds can be used to make a tea, and it only takes a few minutes. You’ll simply place the catnip into a teabag or steeper and let it steep for about 10 minutes. You can use fresh catnip directly from your plant to make catnip tea, but the tea will likely be stronger if the catnip is dried before steeping.

Always check to ensure the temperature of the tea is safe for your cat before offering it to them. A benefit of giving catnip tea is that it encourages your cat to drink more water, which is a good thing for the many cats that chronically don’t drink enough water.

Via Toys

This is the most common way that cats end up eating catnip. While some toys may be stuffed with catnip, just about any toy can become a catnip toy. You can roll toys in catnip, or you can sprinkle toys and scratchers with catnip. Oftentimes, rubbing catnip between your fingers before using it will help to release the oils and encourage more play.

Our Pick for Best Catnip Toy

Catnip toys are a lot of fun for most cats, but you do want to find a high-quality version. Our Hepper Catnip Stick Toys are double-bagged and bite-proof, perfect for even the sharpest claws and teeth. They’re also full of 100% organic catnip, shaped like your cat’s natural prey, and hand-made in the USA.

Conclusion

It’s perfectly safe for your cat to eat catnip, whether it’s on their food or some other way. In large quantities, it may cause stomach upset, but your cat would have to demolish the better part of a catnip plant to cause any symptoms. Some cats will enjoy the addition of edible catnip or catnip tea to their daily routine, so play around with it to see what your cat likes the best.

+ Sources

Why Do Cats Love Catnip? | Wonderopolis
Can You Feed Catnip to Your Cat | Hill’s Pet (hillspet.com)

Featured Image Credit: lwccts, Pixabay

Can Cats Eat Catnip?
Ways to Offer Catnip to Your Cat
- Sprinkle It
- Make Treats
- Grow a Catnip Plant
- Make Catnip Tea
- Via Toys
Brooke Billingsley spent nine years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013. She resides in Arkansas with her boyfriend of five years. She loves all animals and currently shares a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys plants and gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge. . Read more

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