Catnip for Cats: What Does It Do, and Is It Safe?

Catnip makes many cats roll, purr and play. Find out how the reaction works, whether it is safe, and how to use catnip wisely.

Rolling over a toy, rubbing enthusiastically against a scratching post, or suddenly lying on the floor looking blissfully relaxed: catnip causes some striking behaviour in cats. For some owners it is a complete mystery, for others it is a handy tool to get a shy cat to play. But what actually happens inside a cat's body, is it harmless, and how do you use it so your cat gets the most enjoyment out of it?

Short answer: catnip is completely safe for most cats. It is not a drug and not a sedative, but a plant that triggers temporary playful or relaxed behaviour in around 50 to 70% of cats. The reaction usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes and then fades on its own, with no lasting effects.

What exactly is catnip?

Catnip is the plant Nepeta cataria, a member of the mint family originally from Europe and Asia. The leaves and stems contain a volatile oil with a compound called nepetalactone, which is responsible for the well-known reaction in cats. Catnip is sold as loose dried herb, as a spray with catnip extract, or worked into toys such as play mice and scratching posts.

Cat grass is something different: a fibre-rich grass that cats eat to support digestion and bring up hairballs more easily. Catnip is mostly sniffed and rolled in, while cat grass is eaten.

Why do cats react so strongly to catnip?

Nepetalactone binds to smell receptors in the nose and in the vomeronasal organ, a specialised sensory organ in the roof of a cat's mouth. From there, a signal is sent to brain regions that are also involved in social and sexual behaviour. That explains why a catnip reaction can sometimes look similar to the behaviour of a cat in heat: rolling, rubbing the head, loud calling.

Sensitivity to catnip is inherited. Around 30 to 50% of cats do not react at all, no matter how often or how much you offer it. Kittens younger than three to six months usually show no reaction yet, because their sense of smell and the related brain connections have not fully developed. In some older cats, sensitivity fades again with age.

How do you recognise a catnip reaction?

A typical reaction unfolds in stages:

• First, thorough sniffing of the herb or toy
• Rubbing the head and face against it
• Rolling on the back, sometimes with loud purring or calling
• Drooling, brief bursts of hyperactive running around, or becoming very relaxed instead

This phase lasts 5 to 15 minutes on average. It is followed by a "refractory period" of 30 minutes to 2 hours, during which the cat no longer reacts, even if you offer catnip again. This is completely normal and not a sign that the herb has stopped working.

💡 Good to know: not every cat becomes hyper on catnip. Some cats become calm and mellow instead. Both reactions are a normal response to nepetalactone.

Is catnip safe for my cat?

Yes, with normal use, catnip is safe for healthy cats of any age. It is not toxic and not addictive: a cat enjoying a catnip high simply walks away from it afterwards and does not compulsively seek it out. If a cat eats a larger amount of fresh or dried herb, this can occasionally cause slightly softer stools or a single episode of vomiting. This is usually harmless and resolves on its own.

⚠️ If your cat shows unusually aggressive behaviour, or seems dazed or disoriented in a way that does not resemble the usual catnip reaction, contact your vet to rule out other causes.

Catnip, valerian or silvervine: what's the difference?

Does your cat not react to catnip? That does not necessarily mean she is insensitive to this whole category of plants. Several natural plants can produce a similar effect:

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria): the best-known variety, works playfully or calmingly in 50 to 70% of cats.
• Valerian: often has a more calming effect and works on some cats that do not respond to catnip.
• Silvervine (Actinidia polygama): a Japanese plant, often sold as a powder or worked into toys, such as the KONG Cat Feather Teaser filled with premium catnip. Silvervine works in around 80% of cats, including many that do not react to catnip.

Does your cat not react to any of these? Then she simply belongs to the group of cats without this type of sensitivity. There is nothing wrong with her.

How to use catnip wisely and safely

• Freshen up old toys: a toy that has been gathering dust often comes back to life with a pinch of catnip or a light spray, such as this KONG Catnip Spray.
• On the scratching post: sprinkle a little catnip on a new or underused scratching post to direct scratching behaviour there.
• Offer it in moderation: two to three times a week is enough. Offering it too often can make a cat become insensitive to it more quickly.
• Store it properly: keep loose catnip in an airtight container, away from light. Nepetalactone is volatile and loses its effect quickly when exposed to air and light.
• Combine it with play: catnip works best as an addition to interactive play, not as a replacement for it.

At Fidello you'll find a good range of catnip products, such as KONG Catnip Premium, resealable and ready to refill your cat's favourite toys.

Common mistakes with catnip

• Offering it too often. Daily catnip can actually reduce your cat's sensitivity to it.
• Thinking a cat is "broken" if she doesn't react. Insensitivity to catnip is inherited and has nothing to do with health or intelligence.
• Testing a kitten too early and feeling disappointed. Under three to six months, most kittens do not react yet, even if they turn out to be sensitive to it later.
• Leaving catnip open and unsealed. It loses most of its effect within a few weeks this way.
• Expecting catnip to solve stress permanently. It's a fun, temporary stimulus, not a substitute for removing the cause of stress or boredom.

Checklist for using catnip

• ☐ Your cat is older than three to six months
• ☐ You offer a small pinch of herb or a single spray
• ☐ The herb is stored airtight, away from light
• ☐ You offer it no more than two to three times a week
• ☐ No reaction at all: try silvervine or valerian instead
• ☐ Unusual or worrying behaviour: check with your vet

Frequently asked questions about catnip

Can my kitten already have catnip?
Yes, that's fine, but before the age of three to six months most kittens do not yet show a clear reaction. Their sense of smell needs to mature fully first.

Can my cat become addicted to catnip?
No. There is no scientific evidence of addiction. A cat simply walks away after the high and does not compulsively seek it out.

Does catnip work on all cats?
No, around 30 to 50% of cats do not respond to it. This is an inherited trait, not a flaw.

Can dogs react to catnip too?
Some dogs become mildly calmer, but the effect is much less pronounced than in cats, and plenty of dogs show no reaction at all.

How much catnip can I give at once?
A small pinch of dried herb (about a quarter teaspoon) or a single spray on a toy is plenty for an adult cat.

In short

Catnip is a safe, natural way to get cats playing or to help them relax for a while. The reaction is caused by the compound nepetalactone, is inherited, and fades on its own after about fifteen minutes. Offer it in moderation, store it sealed properly, and if your cat doesn't react, try silvervine or valerian instead. That way, playtime stays something special for your cat rather than an everyday event.

Curious which toy suits a playful or a calmer cat best? Take a look at the full range of KONG cat toys with catnip at Fidello.

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Gedrag Katten Kennisbank Wetenschap

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