Is Catnip Even Safe?

If you've ever watched a cat encounter catnip, you might wonder what exactly is going on. One minute they're completely normal, and the next they're rolling around, rubbing their face on everything, zooming around the room, or looking incredibly pleased with themselves.

Catnip is an herb from the mint family that contains a compound called nepetalactone. When a cat smells it, that compound interacts with scent receptors and can trigger a behavioral response. Depending on the cat, they may become playful and energetic, roll around and rub against things, or become surprisingly relaxed.

But here's the funny part: not every cat responds to catnip! Sensitivity is largely genetic, and some cats simply don't care about it. Kittens may also be less likely to respond until they're a little older. So if you've ever bought your cat a fancy catnip toy and they've looked at you like, "You spent money on this?", nothing is wrong with them.

For cats who do enjoy it, catnip can be a fun way to add variety to playtime. You can find it dried, in toys, as a spray, or as a live plant. Just don't feel like you need to cover the entire house in it! Too much can cause stomach upset, and frequent exposure may make the effect less noticeable.

But what about the dogs?

Here's something you may not know: catnip isn't considered toxic to dogs, so if your dog sneaks a little from the cat's toy or gets curious about the plant, there's generally no reason to panic. Dogs don't typically experience the same dramatic reaction cats do, although some may seem relaxed or sleepy. Eating a large amount of plant material can still cause stomach upset, so it's not something I'd intentionally give your dog as a treat though.

So if you have both cats and dogs, there's no need to completely ban catnip from your home. Just keep an eye on your pets and make sure your dog isn't turning the cat's entire stash into a snack.

Catnip isn't magic, and it certainly isn't for every cat. But for the cats who love it, it can be a pretty entertaining little addition to their routine. And for everyone else? Well, at least you tried!