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Is Catnip Bad For Your Cat?

Cat looking at catnip plant

The quick and easy answer to that question is No, catnip is not bad for your cat. But before you leave, there are still a few considerations that we should make before allowing our cat to play with a lot of catnip. I know it’s the one thing that drives cats crazy, and we really adore watching our cats try to scale walls, but we also need to use this plant safely.

While everyone is familiar with catnip, you may not be aware that it belongs to the mint family. Yes, it is the same plant that we adore and sprinkle in everything we eat. Catnip isn’t any different, and people have used it for centuries to cure sore throats.

Why do some cats love catnip?

Is Catnip dangerous or Bad for your Cat

Though most of us associate catnip with cats acting as high as a kite, not all cats experience catnip in the same way. Catnip affects more than 60% of cats, although some will not even approach it. Scientists hypothesize that it is due to a particular genetic abnormality.

The substance contained in catnip, nepetalactone, is the actual drug. Cats can detect this substance, and it smells much like a cat’s pheromones.

Should you give catnip to your cat?

Cat playing with catnip

Isn’t this the most important query? And the answer is just not as simple as a Yes or No. There is no harm in giving it a try, but not all cats will react well to catnip. Some could turn hostile, particularly if you have numerous pets. Additionally, catnip can have certain negative effects, such as nausea or vomiting, although these only occur in extremely high doses, which your cat is unlikely to consume.

Apart from the aforementioned problems, cats adore catnip. And you can teach your cat to utilize the scratching post instead of your pricey couch by doing this. Additionally, the majority of cats will enjoy themselves and receive some healthy activity, making the effort worthwhile.\

So, is Catnip dangerous for your cat?

The answer is still the same: Catnip is not dangerous for your cat as long as the kitty is healthy before ingesting it and doesn’t have a chronic stomach ailment.

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