Catnip: Everything You Need to Know About Your Feline’s Favorite Fix

There’s nothing more fun than watching your cat enjoy catnip. It’s no secret that most cats love it, but how much do you really know about this seemingly irresistible herb? Are there any health benefits or concerns? How much should you give them, and how often? Is it better to give them fresh or dried? How does it affect your cat’s body and brain?

If you’d like answers to these questions and more, read on. We’re about to take a deep dive into everything you need to know about your feline’s favorite fix!

What Is Catnip?

We call it catnip, but its Latin name is Nepeta catarina, and it’s from the mint family Lamiaceae. Sometimes, it’s referred to by other names as well: catswort, catwort, catmint, and field balm. There are actually several varieties that will affect your cat, all generally considered catmint. It’s a perennial herb native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and brought to North America by settlers during the early 18th century.

Human Uses of Catnip

You can probably tell just by the name that we’ve known how this herb affects cats for millennia. According to the history books, the ancient Etruscans and Romans gave it to their own pet felines—but they also valued this herb for themselves. Throughout the ages, humans have used catnip for medicinal purposes. It has a very calming, relaxing effect on us and has been used by people to eliminate stress, sleep, soothe an upset stomach, ease cramps, and more. It was a staple in medieval apothecary shops and can be found listed as a common ingredient in many early American culinary recipes as well, especially teas.

“He boiled tansy, sage, hyssop, and catnip is some of ye best wort.”

– an excerpt from a Massachusetts tea recipe dated 1712

You might be surprised to know that, by the early 19th century, catnip tea had become the most popular tea in America from coast to coast. Catnip was a must-have item in everyone’s herb garden in those days. The tea was, essentially, the early American’s favorite way to chill out and unwind. It was even occasionally smoked.

Clearly, times have changed. When we think of catnip today, we generally think of it as a treat for cats only. But human consumption does continue to occur on a smaller scale. Many herbalists still tout its benefits and use. If you’d like to try a cup of catnip tea yourself sometime, here’s a great recipe!

Catnip’s Effect on Cats

Imagine, for a moment, if we humans reacted to catnip in the exact same way that cats do…it would be quite embarrassing but maybe also pretty hilarious, right? It’s probably a very good thing we don’t! As for cats, well, they don’t seem to mind abandoning their dignity for a few minutes to enjoy themselves.

Cats, as most of us already know, will dive onto a pile of catnip like it’s the single greatest thing on Planet Earth. They eat it, lick it, roll in it, and blissfully rub it all over themselves.

Its initial inhaled effect typically makes them energized, playful, happy, even euphoric. Then, about 10 to 20 minutes after they’ve eaten it, they will usually mellow out, perhaps grab a snack, and seek out a favorite spot to relax and nap.

In the short video above, that's Mommycat, one of my own cats, having some nippy fun. She's quite old, at least mid-teens, and also quite feral. She's only been in our home for about two weeks at the time of this writing. She's our latest rehabilitation project and the newest addition to my family. For the past 15 years she's been living in the wild as part of a small local feral colony that my husband and I take care of. (I'm keeping a diary of her progress and I'll update you with a story on her in the near future. So far, she's doing great!) To the best of my knowledge, this is her very first experience with catnip. I think she likes it, don't you?

The Science of Catnip

So, what is it about catnip that causes this reaction in cats? The active ingredient is a chemical called nepetalactone. In “scientist speak,” it’s an iridoid analog stereoisomer, but we nonscientists might more commonly refer to it as a terpene or essential oil. Nepetalactone is an aromatic, carbon-based compound found in many plants, not just catnip, but plants don’t produce it to attract our feline friends; they do it to ward off insects. Nepetalactone acts as a natural repellent and has been used as a pesticide for ages. Studies show that it is more effective against mosquitoes than DEET!

Catnip may be bad news for bugs, but for our cats as well as humans, it’s proven to be safe and non-toxic. Cats have special receptors in their noses that bind to the exact chemical shape of the nepetalactone molecule (think of a key fitting into a lock), and that, in turn, stimulates sensory neurons that lead to the brain. It works its magic whether it’s inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the skin, and most cats experience all three delivery methods when they partake. The result is a psychoactive reaction in the cat (but not in humans—we only experience the relaxing effects) that alters activity in several regions of their brain, including the olfactory bulb, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that regulates your cat’s emotions.

Or, in other words—yup, your cat is basically high. Frankly, it’s not all that much different than a typical human’s bodily reaction to marijuana.

You might find it interesting to note that your cat’s attraction to catnip is not guaranteed, however. Only about 60% to 70% of cats have those special receptors. It’s hereditary. In fact, one of the cats in my own household is a straight-laced non-nipper. She doesn’t show the slightest interest in partaking, although she seems to find it fascinating to watch my other cats roll around in it, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her rolling her eyes at their silly stoner antics!

Another interesting fact—young kittens won’t have a reaction to it at all. It takes them at least a couple of months and as long as a year to develop a taste for it. Plus, it’s not just your common housecat that will hit the nip. Many wild cats enjoy it the same way, including cougars, tigers, lynx, bobcats, and lions. Take a gander at these big kitties on a catnip bender!

How Much Catnip Should You Give Your Cat?

As we mentioned in the section above, catnip is considered harmless. There is no record of a cat ever dying from catnip consumption, even when they get their paws on an entire bag. And that does happen. Your cat can smell it from a long distance away, even when sealed tightly in a bag or container, and will go to great lengths to get to it. (Believe me when I tell you that they’ll approach it like a scene straight out of Kitty Mission Impossible, so be careful where you store it!)

Catnip is also non-addictive, but if your cat eats too much at one time, it can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. Furthermore, your cat can build up a high tolerance or immunity to its effects if they partake too frequently. (And what’s the fun of that?!) Experts recommend giving your cat no more than a tablespoon, two or three times a week.

Which is Better, Fresh or Dried Catnip?

According to the science, fresh catnip is actually more potent than dried, but your cat might still prefer the dried herb. As it dries, it releases its oily essence and develops a different, stronger odor profile. The alluring scent of nepetalactone is still present in the fresh leaves and flowers, but it is more subtle and your cat has to bruise and crush it a bit more to release it.

From a health perspective, catnip, just like many edible greens, contains vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are beneficial to your cat. It doesn’t really seem to matter if it is fresh or dried, although fresh might have a nominal edge in that regard, as greens sometimes lose a bit of their nutritional punch when we dry them. But either way, it’s pretty good for your feline. In addition to the fact that it gives them a great deal of happiness, catnip also has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. (Wouldn’t it be great if all habits so enjoyable were also that good for us? Those lucky cats!)

The Pros and Cons of Growing Your Own Catnip

Catnip is not difficult to cultivate, indoors or out. But bear in mind that there are both pros and cons to growing your own.

Let’s talk about the cons first. For one thing, it’s an obvious cat magnet. If you are growing it outdoors, you can expect it to attract other cats, not just your own. Secondly, catnip grows and spreads like a weed and can quickly dominate your garden. (Have you ever planted spearmint around your home? It spreads like crazy! Catnip, as a member of that same mint family, is the same way.) And if you have a big enough patch, your yard could become the most popular kitty hangout in the neighborhood, which is not particularly good. In addition to the damage they might cause, having a bunch of strange cats visiting your yard may stress out and aggravate your own cat, which can cause health and behavioral problems. So, a word to the wise, if you do decide to grow catnip outdoors, make sure you keep an eye on it and “weed” it from undesirable areas when necessary. Also, do it as far away from your house as possible. Alternatively, if you decide to grow it indoors, you’ll need to find a sunny place that your cat cannot access, otherwise you’ll frequently find it ripped up, trampled, toppled, or simply gone.

Okay, now for the pros. If you grow your own catnip, you’ll never have to worry about growing conditions or the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. You can ensure the freshness and quality of your kitty’s stash. You’ll be able to offer your cat both fresh and dry versions. You’ll save money, because growing your own is vastly cheaper. And lastly, you can select the exact variety of catnip you want, try different ones, or even try some other herbs that have a similar effect to catnip and are also considered safe for your cat, such as Silver Vine, Tatarian Honeysuckle, and Valerian. (Sometimes, if a cat doesn’t respond to catnip, one of these other herbs just might do the trick.)

If you want to give it a try, here’s a simple but good tutorial on how to grow, harvest, and store catnip.

Buying Catnip: What to Look For

For many people, growing catnip is simply not a viable option. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying it, but you should know a few things.

First of all, organic is always best. Don’t let your kitty ingest anything grown with pesticides or chemicals if you can help it—that stuff is just as bad for them as it is for us.

Secondly, if you are purchasing it in dried form, freshness is key, as catnip will lose its potency over time. It is best to choose a popular, top-rated brand that won’t be sitting on a shelf getting stale for a long period of time. Or better yet, buy some fresh catnip (at peak potency when it is flowering) at a local farmer’s market and dry it yourself.

Thirdly, if you don’t already know that your cat prefers a different type of catmint, go with the classic true catnip strain, Nepeta cataria, as that is the variety that most cats prefer.

Lastly, keep in mind that there are also all kinds of cat toys, scratching posts, and other furniture that are infused with catnip by the manufacturers. It comes in different forms as well. You can buy catnip spray, balls, sticks, and special dispensers, all of which may be greatly enjoyed by your cat. Catnip is also a terrific way to entice your cat into checking out new things.

In Conclusion

Now that you’ve got all the facts on this feline fave, we hope you’re ready to just say yes. Catnip can be a wonderful, gratifying, and immensely pleasurable experience for your cat. As a healthful, special treat, the nip can’t be beat!