Fresh catnip Simply trim a few leaves off and give it to your cat to eat, chew, sniff or rub against. Just make sure you place the plant somewhere your cat isn't going to be able to reach it!
Eating. The most intense catnip experience starts with the nose—one whiff of the stuff and your cat promptly goes nuts. Researchers suspect that the herb targets feline "happy" receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, it tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out.
And it's perfectly safe - there's nothing in it that can harm your cat. If by some chance your cat was to eat a large amount of catnip, it could cause a mild tummy upset, but that's not likely to happen. What is Catnip? Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family.
There's no hard fast rule for how much catnip is safe to give your cat, but it's non-addictive and safe for cats to eat or sniff in small amounts. Start with a small pinch of fresh or dried catnip, or one catnip treat and see how they go. It doesn't usually take much for them to feel the effects.
Cats begin to feel the effects of catnip within a few seconds. The duration of the effect is variable, but typically lasts around 10 minutes and rarely more than 15.
How long does catnip last. The effects of catnip vary depending on the individual cat and how they respond to the herb. For most cats, effects and behaviors associated with catnip will last around 10-15 minutes. Once catnip has worn off, it may take around 30 minutes to an 1 hour for your cat to respond to it again.
Some cats don't react to catnip at all. The estimates change frequently, but the most recent statistics guess that about 64% of kitties are susceptible to catnip. Hold on, though – that statistic may not hold true in Australia. Surprisingly, a higher number of our kitties seem to be immune to catnip.
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.
Avoid Giving Catnip to Aggressive Cats
Giving catnip to "bully" cats can make them grumpy and lead to aggression under the wrong circumstances.
Is catnip safe for cats? There's no evidence that catnip is harmful to cats or young kittens. However, if they eat a lot of the fresh or dried catnip leaves, they can get an upset tummy along with vomiting or diarrhea.
Nepetalactone is an interesting substance that affects about 50% of cats. When sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, often causing cats to become very playful, rolling over on the ground and generally being hyperactive. But when eaten, catnip acts as a sedative, sometimes causing cats to drool, purr, or fall asleep.
Catnip can calm and soothe some cats. As an herb, catnip is easy to grow at home. If you grow it, you may find your kitty indulging in it at intervals throughout the day and maybe even chewing on it. For the most part, it's a fairly harmless indulgence.
Not all dogs respond to catnip, but many do and it usually takes about 30 minutes to see a reaction. Doggijuana is a non-addictive catnip. There are no added ingredients that are harmful for your pet.
Too much catnip can cause health problems in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or having trouble walking. Use just a little at a time, and you can always discuss the correct amount for your cat with your veterinarian.
The chemical responsible for messing with cats' heads is called nepetalactone. It produces its effect through smell alone: the molecule doesn't have to be ingested or reach the brain for it to send cats wild. This frenzy of excitement usually lasts around 15 minutes.
BUT, some cats can actually become agitated, overly hyper, and potentially a little aggressive under the influence of catnip. Typically the effects of catnip, due to olfactory fatigue (sensory overload), last between 5 to 15 minutes but can potentially have effects on some cats for up to one hour.
Meowijuana Purrple Passion Catnip Buds are 100 organic and safe for your cat, made from the finest and most fragrant Catnip Blossoms. These all natural catnip buds are harvested at the peak of the plant's essential oil production, giving your cats the best high they deserve.
Catnip is an excellent method to pique your cat's curiosity in something new while encouraging them to relax and roll about in the bed. And, as an additional benefit, cats like to cuddle up and sleep after their catnip “high,” making the new bed more appealing to them!
There are some alternatives--plants such as silver vine, honeysuckle, and valerian have all been used to satisfy the feline sense of smell. Surprisingly, silver vine is the most effective of these plants, as more cats respond to its smell than even catnip.
If the cat was not born with the genes that cause a response to catnip, then he will not show the immediate response to catnip. These cats might be missing out on this experience, but that doesn't mean their quality of life is poor. They also aren't aware that they are missing out.
According to experts, approximately one in two cats are sensitive to catnip. Fun fact: Did you know that most Australian cats are usually not affected by catnip because they lack the gene that stimulates the sense of euphoria?
Generally, yes. Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, is the senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. She says both fresh and dried versions of catnip are considered safe for dogs. That said, if your dog chows down on a catnip plant, its essential oils might cause him to feel icky.
Storing Catnip
A cool, dry place (away from kitties) is perfect. You can also store the sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer, to extend shelf-life. Dried catnip will last for several months, at a minimum, before the smell in the oils begins to fade.
Cats often become mellow when they ingest the plant. This response to catnip usually lasts up to 10 minutes before the cat loses interest.