Let me get straight to the point: catnip toys are safe for cats.
I get really frustrated when I see catnip toy brands portraying catnip as a “drug.” One national brand's mascot is a cat with bloodshot eyes. Another brand's name is a play on marijuana.
This type of marketing misrepresents catnip and does a disservice to both cats and cat parents. It results in cat parents being wary about giving their feline babies catnip.
In reality, olfactory enrichment through cat-attracting plants like catnip is a safe way to provide cats with physical exercise, mental stimulation, and playful fun. Catnip is not a drug!
As a cat mom, I’ve watched my own cats, Penny, Bella, Lewie, and now Nelly, love to play with catnip.
Let’s break down what catnip actually is, how it works, and why it’s a safe, enriching addition to cats' lives.
What is Catnip?
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a plant in the mint family. Catnip is a hardy perennial herb with bright green leaves and white or lavender flowers. I've even grown catnip in pots on my deck for my cats to enjoy in the summer.
Humans use catnip in tea and also in natural insect repellants.
Like silvervine, valerian, Tatarian honeysuckle, and cat grass, catnip is a cat-attracting plant.
Catnip contains an oil called nepetalactone. When cats smell catnip, nepetalactone binds to nasal receptors and causes a temporary sensory response.
Importantly, the catnip plant is not related to any plants that drugs are derived from such as cannabis, coca, or opium poppy.
How Catnip Differs from Drugs
Many cat parents worry: “Is catnip like a drug?” Let’s clear this up. Catnip is very different from drugs in several important ways:
| Catnip | Drugs | |
| Mechanism | Temporary response from smelling only | Enters blood and travels to brain |
| Total Duration of Effect | Seconds to Minutes | Hours |
| Addictive | No | Yes |
| Causes Withdrawal | No | Yes |
| Causes Long-Term Harm | No | Yes |
Unlike drugs, not everyone in the species responds. Only about 70% of cats respond to catnip, which scientists believe is genetic.
Also, catnip has no effect on kittens until they are 3-6 months, since their olfactory system is not yet fully developed. If it were a drug, small kittens would be affected the most.
Most importantly, catnip does not alter a cat’s consciousness or create dependency. The excitement some cats experience is sensory-driven, temporary, and harmless. Within minutes, cats return to normal with no long-term effects.
Catnip is even used for enrichment in zoos, where lions, leopards, and bobcats enjoy it safely.
To learn more about the safety of catnip, I recommend these peer-reviewed research articles. I had the opportunity to hear one of the authors, Dr. Sebastiaan Bol, speak at an American Association of Feline Practitioners conference, and his insights were incredibly valuable.
The Catnip Response
After smelling catnip, cats that respond may rub their head, chin, or cheeks on the toy, roll over, and then kick or bite it. They might bat the toy across the floor or chase it around the room.
They generally show no signs of stress or fear, just fun.
Physical and Mental Benefits of Catnip Toys
Catnip toys provide real benefits to cats' health and well-being.
- Support natural behaviors: When indoor cats play, they mimic hunting behaviors of cat living outdoors. Playing with catnip toys activate natural instincts.
- Encourage exercise: Pouncing, biting, and kicking toys filled with catnip promotes movement, exercise, and maintains healthy muscle tone.
- Boost mental stimulation: Catnip toys stimulates the senses, keeping cats sharp and curious.
- Reduce stress and boredom: Catnip can be a natural way for cats to release tension, calm anxiety, and prevent destructive behavior.
Types of Catnip Toys
- Stuffed toys: Small toys are perfect for batting and carrying around. Larger toys are perfect for rolling and kicking.
- Marinated ball toys: Interactive cat balls marinated in a bag of catnip entice cats to chase and swat.
- Scratching pads: Sprinkle catnip on scratchers to encourage use, stretching, and claw maintenance.
Choosing Safe Catnip Toys
Not all catnip toys are created equally. Most are made overseas and use "North American" catnip. Unfortunately, many catnip toys have unsafe parts like tails, feathers, plastic eyes, or strings that can be choking hazards.
I only give my cats catnip toys that are made in the USA with American-grown catnip.
Here are our favorites:
My Personal Experience
All four of the cats that I've had since becoming a cat mom have loved catnip!
I like to treat my cats to new toys for their gotcha days, Christmas, or sometimes just because. I keep a couple of their favorite toys out at all times and rotate others to keep playtime exciting.
Here's a picture of my Lewie playing with his favorite catnip toys from Americat Company.
Bottom Line
Catnip toys made in the USA are healthy and fun for cats!
The American Association of Feline Practitioners outlines five important pillars of a healthy feline environment:
- Provide a safe space
- Provide multiple and separated key environmental resources: food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas, and resting/ sleeping areas
- Provide opportunity for play and predatory behavior
- Provide positive, consistent, and predictable human-cat social interaction
- Provide an environment that respects the importance of the cat's sense of smell
As cat parents, giving our cats safe catnip toys help supports each of these pillars.
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
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This is my experience and not medical advice.
