The good news is, catnip is perfectly safe for your cat, so if they accidentally consume a small quantity – or deliberately enjoy nibbling on it as a tasty treat – it won't do them any harm.

What does catnip do to cats? Catnip has different effects depending on the individual cat and the way the cat takes the drug. "It either ramps cats up, or it mellows them out," Wooten says.

The catnip seems to calm and reassure our kitties. Is that common? — Liz Fisher, Pleasant Hill DEAR LIZ: Catnip can have a calming effect on cats, but typically only when they eat the nip.

Why do we think it's OK to give concentrated catnip to intoxicate a pet, and then be amused by the 'intoxicated' behavior?

There's a very scientific reason cats go wild for catnip, and it's all about smell.

Japan study says cats aren’t just trying to get high from catnip. A chemical substance in the plant helps prevent them from getting bit by mosquitoes.

Want to feed your cat catnip? A vet shares one risk you need about to know before you do Kathryn Williams March 17, 2025 at 8:20 AM ...