Plant FAQs: Catnip – Nepeta Cataria

When my cats encounter catnip, they go wild with playful antics and rolling around, which is always entertaining to watch.

I’ve seen my cats nibble on catnip from time to time, and while they don’t eat a lot, they seem to enjoy the taste.

From my experience, cats are drawn to catnip because it stimulates their senses and makes them feel euphoric, almost like a cat party in their heads.

I’ve never noticed any negative effects from giving my cats catnip; they seem to enjoy it in moderation without any ill effects.

I once tried giving my dog a little catnip out of curiosity, but he didn’t show much interest—it seems like it’s a feline thing.

I’ve read that kittens generally don’t react to catnip until they’re a bit older, as they don’t seem to get the same buzz from it when they’re very young.

I’ve come to understand that while catnip can make cats act differently, it’s not a drug in the human sense—just a harmless plant that affects them in a playful way.

I’ve never tried smoking catnip, but I’ve heard that it’s not really meant for that purpose and doesn’t have the same effects on people.

From my experience, the effects of catnip usually last about 10 to 15 minutes before my cats lose interest and go back to their usual selves.

I’ve found that giving my cats too much catnip doesn’t make them enjoy it more—it’s better to give small amounts to keep it exciting.

I’ve tried making catnip tea by steeping dried catnip leaves in hot water, and while it’s safe for cats, it’s not something I’d personally drink.

I’ve read that catnip is technically edible for humans and is sometimes used in herbal teas, though I haven’t personally tried it myself.

Catnip has a fresh, minty aroma that’s quite pleasant and really stands out in the garden.

I’ve heard that rabbits can nibble on catnip, but I usually stick to safer greens for them, as I’m not sure how much they should have.

I once tried giving a ferret some catnip, and while it didn’t seem to affect them much, it was a fun experiment.

I’ve successfully grown catnip indoors by placing it in a sunny spot and keeping it well-watered, which my cats appreciate.

I’ve found planting catnip seeds to be easy; just scatter them on the soil and keep them moist until they sprout.

I’ve read that larger cats like lions can respond to catnip similarly to domestic cats, though I haven’t seen it firsthand.

I haven’t given my guinea pigs catnip, as I prefer to stick to their usual diet, but I’ve heard they might enjoy it in small amounts.

I’ve seen some information suggesting that rats can have catnip, but since I haven’t tried it, I’d be cautious and stick to their regular food.

I haven’t had raccoons in my yard, but I imagine they might be curious about catnip if they came across it.

I’ve noticed that some of my cats aren’t affected by catnip at all, which is just one of those quirky things about feline personalities.

In my experience, catnip generally makes my cats more playful and energetic, rather than aggressive.

I’ve never observed any behavior suggesting that catnip affects my cats’ sexual behavior; it’s more about playfulness and excitement.

I find that pruning catnip is best done by cutting it back after it blooms to encourage new growth and keep it from becoming too unruly.

In my garden, I’ve found that catnip and catmint are often mistaken for each other, but catmint’s less potent scent doesn’t quite get the same enthusiastic reaction from my cats as catnip does, which they absolutely adore.

While I love adding mint to my teas, my cats aren’t nearly as thrilled about it compared to catnip; they simply go wild for catnip, while mint just doesn’t have the same magical effect on them.

I’ve discovered that silvervine is a game-changer for my cats who are indifferent to catnip; it brings out their playful side in a way catnip never quite managed to, turning them into little furballs of energy.

Cat grass is a favorite for helping my cats with digestion, but when it comes to sheer excitement and playful behavior, catnip definitely steals the spotlight and gets them pouncing around with glee.

I’ve grown lemon balm in my garden, but while it smells pleasant and has calming effects on me, my cats show no special interest in it compared to catnip, which they go absolutely crazy for.

Stinging Nettle is great for its medicinal properties, but when it comes to getting my cats’ attention and seeing them romp around joyfully, nothing beats the irresistible allure of catnip.

Lavender’s calming scent is wonderful for me and creates a soothing atmosphere in my home, but my cats show little interest in it, preferring the lively and stimulating effects of catnip instead.