I've been warned of the dangers of too much catnip not being good for the cat however...How much catnip is "too much?"
Answers:
Catnip - Fun or Dangerous
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) is an herb belonging to the mint family which has been used by man since the days of Ancient Egypt and by cats for even longer. It has a remarkable effect on many cats, stimulating them and relaxing them at the same time. The plant is a perennial, common throughout Europe and Asia, as well as in North America where it was introduced many years ago. Its feline appeal lies in a chemical called nepetalactone which is present in its stem and leaves. Although the plant exudes its characteristic odor all the time, it is much more attractive to cats when the shoots are damaged or withered.
Nepetalactone is an unsaturated lactone that does for some cats what marijuana does for some people. Cats take off on a ten minute "trip" during which they appear to be in a state of ecstasy, rubbing and rolling on the plant. All species of cats react in this way, even lions, but not every individual reacts to it. The deciding factor is genetic. Fifty to sixty percent of adult cats show a reaction to catnip. For the first two months of life kittens are repelled by catnip. The positive or neutral response does not appear until they are three months old.
Scientists have not determined how or why the chemical substance in catnip affects cats. They assert that it does no lasting damage and that after the catnip "trip" the cat is back to normal with no ill effects. Valerian and Canadian Honeysuckle are plants that produce similar behaviors in cats.
While cat owners may have reservations about offering their cats loose catnip, they will find that catnip stuffed in toys heightens the cat's interest in stationary toys that would otherwise be considered "dead prey", lifeless and boring. Toys that have pouches for catnip offer an advantage in that they can be emptied and refilled with fresh catnip. SmartCat has designed several of these toys. A new alternative to loose catnip, which can be messy, is catnip-infused plastic discs. These discs give off the smell of catnip for up to three months. Catnip toys should be stored in an airtight container with a pinch of catnip and brought out for twenty minutes play at a time. Like any herb, it looses its essential oils if left exposed to the air
well to a cat i don't think there is any amount of catnip that is too much!
Just a couple of leaves every now and then, smoosh 'em up to release the oils. That's all they need.
Any is too much. I don't force my cats to get stoned.
I'd say about a tablespoon is good.
If the cat nip starts to grow out the cats ears it is too much.
Aw, there is never too much. I love catnip for kitties.
Catnip isn't dangerous to Cats, but if you don't want to waste it a few leaves would do the trick.
when your cat starts hiding his use and spending hours in the bathroom barricaded in...you might have used to much
when they start foaming at the mouth you have gone too far! lol jk... you should not give it directly to the cat... it should go in a toy of some sort... and it should be about a tablespoons worth... dont let them eat it.
Just a pinch or two will be enough to elicit a change in cat behavior. To activate the catnip, crush the dried buds or leaves between your fingers and then sprinkle onto the floor, into their cat bed, onto their cat furniture or scratching post, onto a favorite toy.
"Never put catnip into your cats food. This may upset their diet and eating habits. It is fine for kitty to eat catnip but, always be cautions of catnip which includes the stalks." Look for catnip leaves and flowers that have been finely ground, or quickly inspect your catnip, looking for and removing any long or hard stalk pieces.
If your cat seems stoned take it away for a while.
ive never heard that it is bad by anyone except those people that say it gets cats stoned...i have a cat nip toy and i only let my cat play with it once in a while...then i put it up so that he doesn't get to engrossed in it.
i never heard 2 much isnt good, i use organic catnip. if u want the catnip 2 last longer dont use 2 much. i know in catnip toys there is maybe a teaspoon the rest is cotton. i wash their toys with mild soap n water by hand. then i refresh them with catnip every 6 to 12 months. i do that right after they dry from washing. unless it still smells like catnip. need anymore help? feel free 2 email me- thatsspoiledangel2u@yahoo.com
Catnip, despite some reports, is not the feline equivalent of marijuana. Catnip is actually a member of the mint family. In addition, it has been found that cats are "self regulating", meaning they will not, like humans do, overdose on catnip. People can ingest catnip, and many holisitic practioners do to settle a queasy stomach. Dogs sometimes enjoy catnip too.
After a night of severe catnip usage, my little one went out, tried to break through a window then when that didn't work he went down the chimney. He was fixed. I think he just had a little too much.
We have catnip growing beside our house. I water it to keep it growing good give some(2-3 leaves every other day to our cat,give it to other people ,too. don't know what is TO MUCH.
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