Catnip has been linked with cats for so long that it almost feels like part of the job description. Most of us have seen a cat roll around in it, rub their face into it, or suddenly decide the carpet is the enemy. It looks funny, but it also raises a fair question: what is catnip actually doing, and is it good for them?
Catnip is a plant from the mint family, known scientifically as Nepeta cataria. The part that affects cats is an oil called nepetalactone, which is released when the leaves are crushed or rubbed. When a cat smells it, that oil triggers a response in the brain that can look like excitement, playfulness, or calm behaviour.
How cats usually react to catnip
When a cat responds to catnip, the effects are usually short-lived. You might see them rolling, rubbing their face on it, purring, darting about, or suddenly becoming very interested in a toy they were ignoring five minutes ago. After a few minutes, most cats lose interest and go back to whatever they were doing before.
Not all cats react, though. Roughly half of cats don’t seem bothered by catnip at all. This is thought to be genetic, so if your cat ignores it completely, there’s nothing wrong with them. They’re just not wired for it.
Kittens often don’t respond either, and some cats only start reacting when they’re a bit older.
Can catnip help with stress or boredom?
For some cats, catnip can be a nice form of enrichment. It can encourage play, movement, and curiosity, which is especially useful for indoor cats or cats who are a bit lazy about toys. In that sense, it can help with boredom and give them something new to focus on.
Some owners also notice their cat seems more relaxed after the initial burst of excitement wears off. That doesn’t mean catnip is a treatment for anxiety or illness, but it can be a small part of making a cat’s environment more interesting and comforting.
It’s best thought of as a play and enrichment tool, rather than something that fixes behaviour or health problems on its own.
Using catnip to encourage scratching and beds
One practical use for catnip is helping your cat discover things you want them to use, like scratching posts or new beds.
Rubbing a small amount of dried catnip into the fabric or fibres of a post can make it more appealing. Some cats will immediately investigate and start rubbing or scratching. Others may need a few tries before they show any interest.
This doesn’t work for every cat, but when it does, it can be a simple way of redirecting scratching away from furniture and towards something more suitable.
A quick note on catnip and health
Catnip is generally considered safe for cats in small amounts, but it isn’t a medicine. It won’t cure illnesses, and it shouldn’t be relied on to manage serious stress or discomfort.
If your cat is unwell, hiding, or showing signs of pain, catnip isn’t a solution for that. It’s always better to look at what’s causing the problem rather than trying to mask it with something that makes them temporarily distracted.
As with most things, moderation matters. Giving catnip constantly can make it less interesting, and some cats can become overstimulated if they have too much at once.
Toys, loose catnip, and homemade options
Catnip comes in lots of forms, from stuffed toys to sprays and loose dried leaves. Some cats prefer toys they can kick and wrestle with. Others like loose catnip sprinkled on the floor or rubbed onto a toy they already enjoy.
If you want a simple homemade option, you can put a small amount of dried catnip into a clean sock, tie it off, and offer it as a toy. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective.
What matters more than the brand or style is whether your cat actually responds to it.
So, is catnip good for cats?
For many cats, catnip is a harmless and enjoyable extra. It can encourage play, make toys more interesting, and add variety to their day. For other cats, it does absolutely nothing at all.
It isn’t a treatment or a necessity, and it won’t suit every cat. But used occasionally and in small amounts, it can be a simple way to add a bit of fun and stimulation to your cat’s routine.
In the end, catnip is less about changing your cat and more about giving them another way to express their natural behaviours, whether that’s rolling, rubbing, or just looking slightly unhinged for five minutes.ch feline friend.