Is Catnip Harmful For Cats

Catnip s allure is in its volatile oil specifically one chemical in that oil nepetalactone.

Is catnip harmful for cats. Yes catnip is safe for cats. Can humans get high on catnip. Diagnosis of catnip poisoning in cats. It is the nepetalcataria variety that most cats enjoy.

It s found to be neither toxic nor addictive so you can freely use it as a reward or training aid. Catnip has been proven to be safe for cats although excessive amounts may result to a short spell of diarrhea. Although catnip may seem like a drug rotman confirms that it s not addictive for cats. Once the effects have worn off they have in fact completely worn off.

There s absolutely no ingredient in catnip that can harm your cat. Did you know in general catnip works as a stimulant for cats but for dogs it can be used as a sedative or nerve tonic. Found in catnip s leaves stems and seeds it only takes one or two sniffs of that wondrous oil. The active ingredient in catnip nepetalactone is the element for which felines are drawn to catnip and the cause of the toxic like reaction.

You can rub it on scratching posts stuff it into socks for a simple toy and sprinkle it into new beds among others. The term catnip is thought to originate from the response cats show towards the plant. Although for this effect to take action the dog must ingest the catnip. Catnip can have a hallucinatory effect on cats causing them to bat at the air.

While catnip is famous for putting kitty into a whacky playful mood chances are quite slim she will be poisoned by consuming it no matter how much she slurps down. That freak out your cat may or may not have after smelling or eating catnip is 100 normal safe and temporary. If your cat experiences this limit or withhold catnip. The only danger of your cat eating too much catnip is that they might get an upset stomach.

If a large quantity of fresh catnip is consumed you may see some vomiting or diarrhea but this is rare and self limiting. If you have a multi cat household it s. What happens when my cat has catnip. Below we cover exactly what catnip is if it s good for cats and its various effects.

Although nepetalactone is not a true toxic element a large quantity of fresh catnip can make the cat sick and display symptoms that mimic a reaction to poisoning. Other than that there is zero reason to worry if catnip is bad for cats. The active ingredient nepetalactone is an essential oil which alters the behaviour of domestic and other cat species. Some dogs get nervous and other dogs get hyper.

This is easily achievable by crushing it up and adding it to the dog s food or water.