How Much Catnip Can a Cat Eat? What Happens If They Overdose?
How Much Catnip Can a Cat Eat? What Happens If They Overdose?
Nothing compares to the amazing reaction many cats have to catnip. While the individual cat may vary greatly in its response to it, most will lick, rub, roll, vocalize and become extremely active when playing with it! It can truly make a cat go bonkers! This effect is only temporary and can last up to about half an hour, but it can be a very fun part of interacting with your cat. Given the intense reaction that catnip can cause, it isn't unreasonable to wonder if your cat can overdose on catnip. Let's dive into whether or not cats can overdose on catnip.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip is an herb in the mint family, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, and it is common throughout the world. It grows well in many areas and its extracts are subsequently “bottled” and used in many cat toys and products. You can grow it yourself, then dry the leaves, ready to sprinkle for your cat to enjoy!
How Does Catnip Work?
The active ingredient in catnip is an organic compound called nepetalactone, which is produced in the leaves and stems of the plant. When a cat inhales this compound, it is thought to activate the part of the nose that normally detects feline pheromones (the “vomeronasal organ”). For the compound to enter this organ, your cat may inhale while lifting its upper lip, a behavior known as the Flehmen response.
Essentially, your cat's brain interprets the catnip pheromone as a strong source of feline pheromones, which triggers a huge euphoric behavioral response, subsequently activating the “happy” receptors in the brain. This is thought to be the feline equivalent of an LSD trip, but rest assured catnip will not make your cat addicted! Some sources also suggest that the pheromone response catnip triggers is similar to a sexual response, so the triggered behavior may have origins in sex too!
Cat Reactions Vary
Not all cats will have the same reaction to catnip – about 30% of cats don’t react to it at all, which is thought to be based on their genes. Catnip will make some cats overactive, while others will become more sleepy and lethargic, the duration of these effects is also unstable – after a while, cats will become immune to further effects. This is a very normal cat to calm down, then still- almost a “come down” effect, experience!
Catnip seems to work best on adult cats – kittens and senior cats show fewer reactions. It is thought that kittens only develop the necessary brain response and behavior at around 6 months old. That being said, catnip will not harm kittens, so it is reasonable to try your kitten and see how their response changes over time!
How Should You Give Catnip To Your Cat?
Catnip is very useful as a reward for good behavior and can be used to encourage exercise (particularly useful for indoor cats). It will also encourage your cat to use particular toys, like scratching posts, keeping them off your furniture. If catnip has a calming effect on your cat, it can be great for stress reduction, such as during carrier and travel time.
Does Catnip Affect Humans?
We do not have the same strong pheromone detection sections in our noses and brains as cats do. This means that the pheromone-based behavioral effects of catnip are not seen in humans. However, some believe that catnip is a useful alternative medicine for a variety of medical purposes and there have been reports of quite a few human effects. At the very least, it can make a soothing tea!
Can Cats Overdose On Catnip?
Fortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that overdosing on catnip poses any level of harm to cats. Cats are excellent at self-regulating, preventing over-stimulation. They seem to become immune to the effect for a short period, and if you use a lot of catnip, over time, cats will become increasingly less responsive to it. These seem to be the natural limits of the catnip effect.
The brains and nervous systems of many species are very good at protecting themselves from inappropriate or excessive stimulation, and over time, their responses slowly reduce, and this seems to be the case with catnip. Therefore, it is best to use catnip sparingly, as a special treat, only occasionally, to ensure your cat gets the best out of it.
Eating catnip will usually not have any adverse effects, but eating catnip will not create the same behavioral response – so the scent must be inhaled into the vomeronasal organ. If your cat does eat an excessive amount of catnip, it may experience mild stomach upset, with vomiting and diarrhea, but this is not common. While treatment may be unnecessary, if you are concerned about your cat, always contact your local vet clinic.
Conclusion
Catnip is a common herb that produces a compound that can act as an artificial feline pheromone when inhaled, activating various “happy” parts of the brain. These chemical triggers cause different cats to have abnormally active, playful, or sleepy reactions – although about 30% of cats don’t react to catnip at all.
The good news is that catnip is harmless to cats, and they can overdose on it. Cats are good at self-regulating, and they will wear off the experience after a while and become immune to the effect for 15-30 minutes. If cats are exposed to catnip too often, they will gradually lose their responsiveness to it – for these reasons, it is best to use catnip in moderation.
Catnip is a very useful part of your interaction with your cat, encouraging you to play, exercise and use specific toys! The best part is that you can grow it yourself!
Nothing compares to the amazing reaction many cats have to catnip. While the individual cat may vary greatly in its response to it, most will lick, rub, roll, vocalize and become extremely active when playing with it! It can truly make a cat go bonkers! This effect is only temporary and can last up to about half an hour, but it can be a very fun part of interacting with your cat. Given the intense reaction that catnip can cause, it isn't unreasonable to wonder if your cat can overdose on catnip. Let's dive into whether or not cats can overdose on catnip.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip is an herb in the mint family, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, and it is common throughout the world. It grows well in many areas and its extracts are subsequently “bottled” and used in many cat toys and products. You can grow it yourself, then dry the leaves, ready to sprinkle for your cat to enjoy!
How Does Catnip Work?
The active ingredient in catnip is an organic compound called nepetalactone, which is produced in the leaves and stems of the plant. When a cat inhales this compound, it is thought to activate the part of the nose that normally detects feline pheromones (the “vomeronasal organ”). For the compound to enter this organ, your cat may inhale while lifting its upper lip, a behavior known as the Flehmen response.
Essentially, your cat's brain interprets the catnip pheromone as a strong source of feline pheromones, which triggers a huge euphoric behavioral response, subsequently activating the “happy” receptors in the brain. This is thought to be the feline equivalent of an LSD trip, but rest assured catnip will not make your cat addicted! Some sources also suggest that the pheromone response catnip triggers is similar to a sexual response, so the triggered behavior may have origins in sex too!
Cat Reactions Vary
Not all cats will have the same reaction to catnip – about 30% of cats don’t react to it at all, which is thought to be based on their genes. Catnip will make some cats overactive, while others will become more sleepy and lethargic, the duration of these effects is also unstable – after a while, cats will become immune to further effects. This is a very normal cat to calm down, then still- almost a “come down” effect, experience!
Catnip seems to work best on adult cats – kittens and senior cats show fewer reactions. It is thought that kittens only develop the necessary brain response and behavior at around 6 months old. That being said, catnip will not harm kittens, so it is reasonable to try your kitten and see how their response changes over time!
How Should You Give Catnip To Your Cat?
Catnip is very useful as a reward for good behavior and can be used to encourage exercise (particularly useful for indoor cats). It will also encourage your cat to use particular toys, like scratching posts, keeping them off your furniture. If catnip has a calming effect on your cat, it can be great for stress reduction, such as during carrier and travel time.
Does Catnip Affect Humans?
We do not have the same strong pheromone detection sections in our noses and brains as cats do. This means that the pheromone-based behavioral effects of catnip are not seen in humans. However, some believe that catnip is a useful alternative medicine for a variety of medical purposes and there have been reports of quite a few human effects. At the very least, it can make a soothing tea!
Can Cats Overdose On Catnip?
Fortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that overdosing on catnip poses any level of harm to cats. Cats are excellent at self-regulating, preventing over-stimulation. They seem to become immune to the effect for a short period, and if you use a lot of catnip, over time, cats will become increasingly less responsive to it. These seem to be the natural limits of the catnip effect.
The brains and nervous systems of many species are very good at protecting themselves from inappropriate or excessive stimulation, and over time, their responses slowly reduce, and this seems to be the case with catnip. Therefore, it is best to use catnip sparingly, as a special treat, only occasionally, to ensure your cat gets the best out of it.
Eating catnip will usually not have any adverse effects, but eating catnip will not create the same behavioral response – so the scent must be inhaled into the vomeronasal organ. If your cat does eat an excessive amount of catnip, it may experience mild stomach upset, with vomiting and diarrhea, but this is not common. While treatment may be unnecessary, if you are concerned about your cat, always contact your local vet clinic.
Conclusion
Catnip is a common herb that produces a compound that can act as an artificial feline pheromone when inhaled, activating various “happy” parts of the brain. These chemical triggers cause different cats to have abnormally active, playful, or sleepy reactions – although about 30% of cats don’t react to catnip at all.
The good news is that catnip is harmless to cats, and they can overdose on it. Cats are good at self-regulating, and they will wear off the experience after a while and become immune to the effect for 15-30 minutes. If cats are exposed to catnip too often, they will gradually lose their responsiveness to it – for these reasons, it is best to use catnip in moderation.
Catnip is a very useful part of your interaction with your cat, encouraging you to play, exercise and use specific toys! The best part is that you can grow it yourself!
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