What is catnip?
Catnip is a member of the mint family. Native to Eurasia, its formal Latin name is Nepeta cataria. It is a perennial herb that flourishes both in the wild and in cultivation. Growing to an average of two feet high, catnip plants feature white or light purple flowers when in bloom.

 

How will catnip affect my cat?
If your cat is like most cats (80%, by reliable estimates), it will have some level of reaction to catnip. The form and intensity of the reaction will vary from cat to cat, and could be characterized by behavior ranging from zany hyperactivity to extreme lethargy. The cat will often enter a period of increased playfulness. The “high” lasts about 15-30 minutes on average, and is followed by a return to normal behavior.

 

Is catnip safe for my cat?
Absolutely. Cats who live in the wild eat fresh catnip 2-3 times a week on average. There are no known negative side effects to catnip use, and it is not an addictive substance. The only cats that should not ingest catnip are those with heart conditions (such as older cats), those less than eight weeks old, and those that are pregnant or nursing.

 

How do I present the catnip to my cat?
Different cats choose to experience catnip in different ways. Some are eaters, some are sniffers, and some are rollers. Snookums, the president of Stoned Kitty, likes to eat his – sometimes we even sprinkle it over his food. For cats that like to eat catnip, a good practice is to just put a little pile of it on the floor or on a plate and let them have at it. Other cats may simply sniff at the nip, which also works as a method of consumption. Perhaps the most entertaining form of catnip ingestion, and among the most common, is rolling – the cat rolls around in the pile of nip and winds up loopy as a loon!

 

How much catnip should I give my cat?
You can give them as much as you like, but a general rule of thumb is one Tablespoon as a single serving. Any more than that will likely go to waste, and any less might not achieve the satisfying high your cat craves. You should also wait at least a couple hours between servings if you want to give your cat multiple nip sessions.