Have you ever asked yourself, can cats eat catnip? The short answer is yes!
Catnip is a herb from the mint family. Cats seem to love it for the feeling it gives them. The plant is like a safe drug that gives your cat a happy feeling. Normally it doesn’t last long and it’s completely safe to give your cats as many times as you like.
Most cats love catnip, and each cat has its own way of reacting to it.
Some cats will rub themselves all over it, while others spend the whole day trying to eat it. Magic happens when cats and catnip get together. Your feline pal gets a whiff of the shot and starts acting strange, rolling around in a funny uncoordinated way.
Catnip is safe for cats when it’s ingested; it acts as a pleasing sedative for cats. Therefore if you have some catnip and notice your cat’s slipping into a happy state of mind, she possibly just ingested some. Catnip is among the mint family, but even though being a natural herb it is one plant that is safe for cats to eat.
Although there are not really any protein or vitamin benefits for a cat consuming these leaves, when given to the right cat, it can cause an amazing reaction. The cat can roll over, paw at it, chew it, and some can even eat it. Feline’s olfactory receptors, which are sensitive to nepetalactone in catnip, prompt this reaction, so if you are lucky, your feline pal will love catnip.
Cats like to eat random things, learn if your cat can eat these things. Can cats eat bacon? Oranges? Eggs? Can cats eat white chocolate? Watermelon? Honey? Can cats eat bread? Strawberries? Chocolate? Cheese? Peanuts?
How should it be given to cats?
The next thing to consider is how to serve catnip to your cat. I recommend using catnip as a treat, and not giving them a catnip toy. This is because the toys usually contain some dried old stuff that makes them lose interest quickly.
The best way is to give them a toy without catnip and preserve it in the fridge to keep it fresh. You can also give them a little of dried catnip on special occasions. Another way you can give your cat catnip is to sprinkle it on their favorite scratching post or bed. This is the best way to encourage them to use the scratcher instead of scratching your furniture.
The benefits of catnip to cats
If your cat is into catnip, a fresh one is the best. Small pre-grown plants of catnip are generally sold at farmer’s markets and pet stores. They are easy to preserve, and also have the advantage of re-growing it. Other than amusing the cat, there are other benefits for your cat, such as:
- It helps relieve boredom
- It helps the fearful or shy cats feel less inhibited, particularly in a new home.
- And lastly, Cats are naturally-born sleepers; they sleep all day and only wake up when they are ready to eat. This routine is not good for their health. It makes them become fat, round, and lazy. Therefore, introducing catnip to your lazy cat is the best idea. It encourages activity if your cat sniffs it. Your feline pal will definitely go hyperactive, playing, jumping and running around after sniffing the herbs. This effect will only last a few minutes.