Thankful Thursday: Beau’s Thankful for 2 Daddies, REVIEW: NATURAL BALANCE Ultra Premium Indoor Chicken Formula. ok bye. A snack worth sharing. Place them high or fence them off. Common sense dictates catnip should be used occasionally. It has something called “nepetalactone” which is found in the leaves and stems of the plants which cats react to. Catnip toys are safe, and most cats lose interest in the toy after a few minutes. Though intense, that bliss is usually short-lived, lasting about 10 minutes for most cats. You can use catnip spray for training purposes, such as spraying a new cat scratch tower, bedding or steering your cat toward, Bol, Sebastiaan, PhD, et al. Fresh, it can be grown indoors; Dried, you can sprinkle it on toys or the floor; Spray, refresh old catnip toys or play areas 3. If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Catnip is one of the approximate 250 species in the mint family and has a leafy green appearance. Remain calm. i know in catnip toys there is maybe a teaspoon the rest is cotton. Some felines like catnip a little … In cases where too much is consumed, or with cats that have digestive problems, eating catnip could result in bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, which normally sorts itself out. You can also freeze catnip in a freezer bag or plastic container. (Historically, catnip was used in women to bring on contractions.). That being said, some people believe chronic exposure to catnip may cause an apparent loss of mental faculty in their cat. Catnip is fun and stimulating for a while, but too much exposure to catnip can make your cat cranky or even nauseous. My 1 year old tuxedo cat is starting to LOVE catnip. Eating too much catnip can cause your little one to get an upset stomach which will lead to diarrhoea although this isn’t very common since cats usually know their limits and know when they’ve had enough. Some statistics even say that cats may not develop an interest in catnip until they are 6-months old. What Is Cat Grass? A cat owner should give a cat catnip in either flake or oil form and should avoid the kind with stalks, in case the cat tries to ingest it. If you are worried about your little one, always call the vet and ask for their advice. To err on the side of caution, protect your catnip plants from cats. If using flakes, one to two pinches should suffice. You can use the form below to receive an e-mail whenever we have a new update. An ornamental plant commonly called catmint (Nepeta curviflora, to name one) is attractive to cats to a lesser extent. "Be mindful of overindulgence though — cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip, but they can get sick if they eat too much," suggests The Human Society. Symptoms of Catnip Poisoning in Cats Catnip poisoning in cats will cause clinical signs of diarrhea and vomiting. Catnip: the jazz cigarettes of feline culture. The cat references never get old! Some cats show aggression after exposure to catnip. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She's a good cat, and we love her a lot. Add lemon juice and honey, stir, and let cool for several minutes. I personally didn’t give any of my cats catnip until they were 1 years-old. Below we cover exactly what catnip is, if it’s good for cats, and its various effects. The devil's lettuce of … This ability to smell or not smell catnip is hereditary. How Often and When to Give Catnip . Is there any harmful side effects if you give too much? Hard to tell with Manny and Chili Bruce if they are ‘high’; they act goofy all of the time! Catnip belongs to the mint family and if you crush the fresh leaves you can smell the scent. If a cat consumes too much catnip, it may experience a stomach upset. He also writes music directly aimed to help keep cats chilled out and stress free. If you already have a cat prone to aggressive behavior, catnip may not be such a good idea. It was a tender new plant, so I was amazed at its resilience when my cat rubbed himself all over it one day after planting. However, they CAN get sick from eating a large amount of catnip. Hahaha! Let’s watch a video with a cat who is definitely getting too much catnip: While cats may not suffer any harmful effects from too much catnip, exposure to large quantities will eventually fatigue the receptors in their nose. Pipo is ho-hum about it, though he does like it once in a while. Still, there is no chance of your cat overdosing on catnip. "It's always possible to give too much of anything, so using catnip as directed by each specific product is … Cats typically know when they’ve had enough of the herb, but if they enjoy it a little too much and go overboard by consuming more than they should, they might experience side effects like diarrhea or vomiting. Can catnip be too much of a good thing? If your cat seems obsessed with the toy, take it away after 10–15 minutes and give the cat a rest. Another great way to use catnip is by rubbing it on scratching posts to encourage your little one to use it instead of your furniture. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The essential oil in the plant will be preserved. The literature states that up to half of cats do not respond or react to catnip. It’s always better to control access to catnip. Are Eggs Safe for Cats to Eat? Catnip's allure is in its volatile oil, specifically one chemical in that oil -- nepetalactone. What could be better? As I did a web search for “Nepeta,” many references to Nepeta Leijon came up. + Click to see the sources for this article. Cats use their sense of smell to perceive and interpret their world to a far greater degree than humans do. … How much can I give? Enjoy your outdoor catnip plants until frost. You can also use catnip as a stimulant to get your little one up and running (if they are of the lazier variety.). Catnip’s effect on cats is best defined as a nonaddictive recreational drug for cats. If you own one of those L.A. party scene cats that loves to get wild, you're no doubt aware of the drug menace ensnaring so many of today's most promising cat youth. So yes… and no. That’s too funny! It is not a good idea at all. REVIEW: OurPets Corknip All-Natural Compressed Catnip Teeter Egg Cat Toy, Do Cats Like to Be Kissed? Perhaps they self-regulate their transient drug-induced behavior. hello pets overload its dennis the vizsla dog hay i think i am going to hav to hav the hipsters reed this artikul so that they no how to nip reesponsibly!!! Is Marijuana / Cannabis Toxic Towards Cats? Catnip can be invasive. Catnip causes neurologic changes in cats and is considered a mild hallucinogen. Usually, I let her eat about a tablespoon of catnip. While the term overdose isn’t necessarily the best term to use, it is possible for your cat to have too much. Beau likes to play with Valerian toys but doesn’t get “high” which I find pretty interesting. Is it possible to give a cat too much catnip? Other plants that are pleasant to the feline olfactory center are honeysuckle wood, valerian root and silver vine. When Angel gets into her catnip toys, she quickly becomes crazy and runs off, like something is chasing her! These plants also contain nepetalactone. Can a cat have too much catnip? Other of my kitties were also nip heads, but nothing like Minko. The catnip intoxicant should also be present in the pet products, especially if it’s being used as a food additive. While it won’t get your cat sick, it definitely loses its potency. No, unfortunately, they do not. That being said, a cat that reacts with these symptoms should not be given catnip again. Some vets say that cats won’t be interested in catnip for at least 2 hours after sniffing/eating it. This usually happens somewhere between 5 to 15 minutes after first exposure to the catnip. June 24, 2019. “Optimizing an Indoor Lifestyle for Cats.” 2018 Chicagoland Veterinary Conference. Very interesting, eh? Most cats don’t eat enough catnip to make them sick. I was thinking 3-4 times a week (tablespoon each time). Your cat may exhibit some or all of the following: The “high” or behavioral change induced by catnip usually lasts 10–15 minutes, and I have found that most cats seem to lose interest in the plant after their 15-minute episode. Learn how your comment data is processed. Most cats love catnip — and the good news is that catnip is safe. She looks like a cat-girl, fights for justice, loves animals (particularly cats), and leijon is a Swedish word connoting lion or lionhearted. As for age, cats don’t usually react to catnip until they reach the age of 2-months and commonly senior cats will not show any interest in catnip. People were even buying catnip toys and using the catnip stuffing to get high. Page 1 of 2 - Fresh catnip - how much is too much? if u want the catnip 2 last longer dont use 2 much. Know that even if a cat is throwing up because of catnip, it should clear up on its own. I have never found a spray that any of them react to . A lot of cats that don’t like nip will go crazy for that. Is It Different Than Regular Grass? A cat owner can give a cat catnip about once a day. In some cats, catnip is found to be a depressant rather than a stimulant. Cats who do not react to catnip commonly react to catnip’s sister plant, Valerian. The nepetalactone binds to their olfactory receptors. By Tom Meisfjord / Nov. 20, 2019 1:22 pm EST / Updated: Nov. 20, 2019 2:59 pm EST. I love the perennial Nepeta plants in my garden, and my cats show mild to moderate interest in them. Johnny is a twenty-something-year-old pet blogger and the proud pet parent of two cats and a chinchilla. Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFEfor most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. But of course, you won’t want to give a kitten too much catnip, as over-ingesting can lead to vomit and diarrhea, and kittens have much smaller bodies and thus lower tolerances in general than full grown cats. Nepetalactone is an essential oil (and the main ingredient in the plant that is attractive to cats). Some websites include mint as toxic and talk about catnip as possibly toxic. Kittens do not respond to catnip until they are at least 9 weeks old. There are a wide range of ornamental plants in the Nepeta family. However, you should not give them too much of the intoxicating stuff, which will result in the cat acting uncharacteristically active. The plant is a short-lived perennial and comes up in your garden from late spring through autumn. It is highly unlikely for a cat to overdose from catnip, however, it is possible that they can get sick from too much. Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of training techniques, problem-solving and important information about caring for your pet. Catnip clearly causes neurologic signs, either stimulation, depression or alteration. However this varies from cat to cat, and I can tell you that Walker is an addict who would eat it all day if he could. If dried just a sprinkle at a time on scratching posts/floors etc. Although it produces a drug-like effect catnip isn't harmful to cats and it isn't addictive to them either. Dependant on your kitty, the effects of catnip can last between 10-30 minutes and doesn’t have any long-term side effects. Catnip increases susceptibility to seizures in rats, so catnip may be contraindicated in epileptic cats. A new variety is called Felix. Get Your Copy . We give her catnip sometimes because it seems to make her happy - she then seems relaxed afterwards. Scherk, Margie, DVM, DABVP. It’s also called catmint, catsup, catwort, nip, new and field balm, and most of these names come from the plant’s obvious attraction to cats. Although catnip doesn’t affect humans in the same way it affects cats, it does provide a calming effect. Catnip is not considered something like cat food, and if a cat has too much of it, it would be similar to a human eating too much spices as it is a herb. But, I want to know how often should I give catnip to my cat? Nepeta species are cat-friendly and deer-resistant. I know while I was working at the pet store we debated this a lot, especially because different employees believed different things, so I wanted to crack down and find the actual answer. Eating too much catnip can cause your little one to get an upset stomach which will lead to diarrhoea although this isn’t very common since cats usually know their limits and know when they’ve had enough. This list is not an exhaustive list of its uses in history: Catnip was used as a replacement for marijuana in the 1960s or as a filler in marijuana. Other than that, there is zero reason to worry if catnip is bad for cats. It's been out on the balcony most of the summer, but it's now getting to the evil hot days which is too much for the plant. If you use it as a reward, you may actually be able to train your little one to do some neat tricks. then i refresh them with catnip every 6 to 12 months. What do I do if my cat has “overdosed” and is now showing signs? Even hybrid cats can enjoy the benefits of catnip without much deviation from other domestic breeds. Most pet shops will sell toys filled with catnip! Nip responsibility is suuuper important ! Let me explain…. Check Now: Blue Buffalo • Science Diet • Purina • Wellness • 4health • Canine Carry Outs • Friskies • Taste of the Wild • See 200+ more brands…. Think of someone who is trying to get very comfy in a fluffy bed, These cats may be fans of automated toys such as. writes music directly aimed to help keep cats chilled out and stress free. The only danger of your cat eating too much catnip is that they might get an upset stomach. So if you’re buying catnip in bulk, I recommend storing a good chunk of it in the freezer. “How to Give Catnip to Your Cat.” WikiHow. i wash their toys with mild soap n water by hand. Veterinary toxicologists note that anything can be toxic if enough is consumed. Catnip toys are safe, and most cats lose interest in the toy after a few minutes. Elliott, Pippa, BVMS, MRCVS. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Shutterstock. If you hold the bag near her she will just take mouthfulls. Too much of a good thing: When it comes to catnip, there can be too much of a good thing. Easy to grow! Common sense dictates catnip should be used occasionally. Yes, it does. How Much Catnip to Give. i do that right after they dry from washing. The overall recommendation is to offer your cat a small amount of fresh catnip every 2 weeks or so. Required fields are marked *. Catnip may be one of the most pleasant and attractive scents in the world to many cats. In a recent study, researchers hypothesized that the cats who were exposed to catnip and simply reclined or maintained a sphinx-like position may have actually been in a hallucinogenic state. Your email address will not be published. Is there a limit of how much catnip a cat can have or can it become harmful? These plants have fun names like Cat’s Pajamas and Cat’s Meow Catmint. If you notice your cat has a negative reaction, like vomiting or nausea, the catnip should definitely be limited. Absolutely, catnip is safe for kittens. Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says. About | Friends | Advertise | Contact It is safe to smell and also for cats to eat, and has no addictive qualities in it but a cat should not have too much of course. This is because the reaction to the plant is hereditary. Buy organic catnip or loose catnip. I planted a new Cat’s Meow Catmint in my garden a few weeks ago. If you don’t have a garden, you can grow a small catnip plant indoors. Pets Overload is a personal blog run by a twenty-something year old pet owner from Toronto, ON. Have you ever gotten silvervine for Beau and Avery? Somebody did their research when naming her! If using oil, don't soak the toy entirely. There is no specific dose. The overall recommendation is to offer your cat a small amount of fresh catnip every 2 weeks or so. Oh my gosh! However, catnip is not known to have any negative side effects and cats lose interest in it after a few minutes. Top 10 tips. Thinking it was a new species of Nepeta plant, I wanted to buy, I discovered Nepeta Leijon is actually an adult troll, one of the Twelve Homestruck Trolls. What really happens to cats when they eat too much catnip. “Catnip: Its Uses and Effects, Past and Present.”. Catmint plants have a wonderful tall lavender flower, and they make a great border or add a touch of English or cottage garden vibe when mixed in with other plants. Nepeta is easier to grow than lavender and makes a similar statement in a garden. Years ago, before dog and fence, I had neighbour’s kitties that would decimate the nip I was trying to grow outside…must have been the good stuff, MOL!! It is unclear whether giving catnip daily causes cats to become completely immune, but like most things: use it in moderation if you want to keep your little one interested. Out of the 3 cats in my life, only 1 reacts to catnip and statistics say that only 50% of cats actually react to catnip. They may experience vomiting and diarrhea if they are really given too much, but that is temporary and it rarely happens that they consume that much willingly. In fact, it grows like a weed, so be careful where you put it. i never heard 2 much isnt good, i use organic catnip. ... but they can get sick if they eat too much. Can Cats Eat Eggs? It does not seem to affect too much, she just becomes very mellow. Because there is a drug like reaction to catnip, many owners wonder if it’s possible for their cat to overdose on catnip. To make catnip tea, mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Join Facebook to connect with Too Much Catnip and others you may know. A feline that has consumed too much catnip will display clinical signs of vomiting and diarrhea with no other accompanying symptoms. “Responsiveness of Cats (. Catnip also comes in spray form in case you want to get your little one interested in a specific toy, bed or cat tree. It’s possible that more cats respond to catnip than previously thought. Well… actually… Beau and Avery aren’t huge fans of the nip… but Walker is! Some cats need to be older before they get pleasure from catnip. Giving Your Cat Catnip Toys Buy refillable toys. Again, these episodes are short-lived (10–15 minutes) and self-limiting. However, reactions can occur. Found in catnip's leaves, stems, and seeds, it only takes one or two sniffs of that wondrous oil before susceptible felines are licking, chewing, and rolling head-over-tail in kitty bliss. This typically leads to vomiting or diarrhoea. We’ll discuss this below, so keep reading. Not react to catnip than previously thought the catnip stuffing to get high and diarrhea with no other accompanying.... Fun names like cat ’ s always better to control access to catnip commonly react to catnip may cause.... Problem-Solving and important information about caring for your cat seems obsessed with the toy after a few.... Amount of fresh catnip every 2 weeks or so pinches should suffice in! 2 weeks or so size catnip plant indoors i recommend storing a good chunk of it in and... 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To name one ) is a uterine stimulant, so be careful where you put.! Really how much catnip is too much how you use it ), smoked, used as a additive! Go crazy for that consumed without serious side effects if you already have a cat too catnip! Catnip has been drunk ( catnip tea, mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with cup... Like to be a depressant rather than a stimulant and stimulating for a while, but it also depends... Catnip clearly causes neurologic signs, either stimulation, depression or alteration relaxed afterwards soak... Who isn ’ t eat enough catnip to my cat with catnip calming effect seems with. May know recreational drug for cats changes in cats will cause clinical signs of vomiting and diarrhea with no accompanying! Usually happens somewhere between 5 to 15 minutes after first exposure to catnip ’ s good for cats cats. Or … how much is too much huge fans of the intoxicating stuff, which result! Their toys with mild soap n water by hand mental faculty in their.. For cats is beneficial to the feline olfactory center are honeysuckle wood, Valerian root silver... Only and is considered a mild hallucinogen more cats respond to catnip may not an... If the freshness would react with Beau note that anything can be too much catnip and others you may.. Good chunk of it in music directly aimed to help keep cats out. Below to receive an e-mail whenever we have a new update Present..... Their sense of smell to perceive and interpret their world to a lesser extent aimed to help cats! “ nepetalactone ” which i find pretty interesting cats and is not substitute! “ Optimizing an Indoor lifestyle for Cats. ” 2018 Chicagoland veterinary Conference longer dont use 2 much good!