Is Catnip Okay For Cats To Eat

Ingestion is not a problem.

Is catnip okay for cats to eat. 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. In fact catnip can even be safely ingested by humans especially when the dried leaves are made into a tea. The main benefits of catnip come from sniffing it. These hard wired preferences aren t immediately apparent though since kittens under the age of 3 months don t react to catnip at all.

Catnip is a mild feline hallucinogen but it is completely nontoxic to cats. It might make your cat act quite unusually. In fact catnip can even be safely ingested by humans especially when the dried leaves are made into a tea. It s generally thought that the nepetalactone mimics the effect of a cat pheromone possibly associated with mating.

Your cat is among the lucky ones by the way since some cats don t react to catnip at all. Technically catnip is a part of the mint family. Yes catnip is safe for cats to eat. 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.

Some felines are not only sensitive to smelling catnip they ll eat it. If they eat it then it has the opposite effect and makes them very relaxed and dreamy. Yes catnip is safe for cats to eat. The ability to appreciate the herb is genetic with slightly more cats in the fan club than not.

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. Don t despair it s not dangerous. She may become more kittenish or particularly affectionate. Cats detect this compound by smell.

This tends to send them a little crazy and has an almost stimulant effect. But you also must know. 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 is a herb that s a cousin to mint basil and oregano herbs we humans regularly use in the kitchen for cooking and seasoning.

Catnip acts as a natural mood enhancer. Cats can eat catnip they will eat it and they ll enjoy it.