Is Catnip Okay For Cats To Eat

Catnip is a herb that s a cousin to mint basil and oregano herbs we humans regularly use in the kitchen for cooking and seasoning.

Is catnip okay for cats to eat. In fact catnip can even be safely ingested by humans especially when the dried leaves are made into a tea. She may become more kittenish or particularly affectionate. While many cat lovers watch their felines do this thinking that what your cat is trying to do is eat the catnip it s actually the sniffing that induces these behavioral changes. Catnip is a herb that s a cousin to mint basil and oregano herbs we humans regularly use in the kitchen for cooking and seasoning.

Fresh catnip is supposedly more attractive to cats when it is bruised as in. Ingestion is not a problem. It also resembles some properties of male cat urine which may be why some cats react to the herb as though in heat with yowling rolling and slobbering. The main benefits of catnip come from sniffing it.

Technically catnip is a part of the mint family. But despite being a natural herb that s one of a number of plants that s safe for a cat to eat there aren t really any vitamin or protein benefits. 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. If they eat it then it has the opposite effect and makes them very relaxed and dreamy.

It s generally thought that the nepetalactone mimics the effect of a cat pheromone possibly associated with mating. In fact catnip can even be safely ingested by humans especially when the dried leaves are made into a tea. Yes catnip is safe for cats to eat. Cats detect this compound by smell.

The eating of catnip by a cat is thought to be an effort to bruise the catnip leaves therefore release more of the nepetalactone. This tends to send them a little crazy and has an almost stimulant effect. Cats can eat catnip they will eat it and they ll enjoy it. Since catnip has no nutritional benefits it would serve no purpose as a food additive.

Eating catnip causes a cat to be more sedate so perhaps it might be a good idea to feed kitty a catnip laced treat before doing something she finds stressful such as taking her on a long trip or a vet or groomer visit. Catnip acts as a natural mood enhancer. Don t despair it s not dangerous. Ingestion is not a problem.

Some felines are not only sensitive to smelling catnip they ll eat it. It might make your cat act quite unusually.