We all are acquainted with the fact that catnips are safe for adult cats. But is it safe for your kittens? Well, many individuals know about catnip but do not understand what kind of plant it is or how it affects your kitten’s behavior and mood.
Catnip is a non-addictive and safe plant. Hence, it’s more likely that your kitten won’t face any issue if it has catnip. Furthermore, studies say, even if, in some instances, reactions occur, it will stay only for half an hour. Nevertheless, if you want to know in-depth about the effects of catnip on kittens, keep reading this blog.
What is catnip?
Catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a popular plant of the mint family. Catnip is a simple plant to thrive in North America and has light-green, feather-like leafage with lavender blossoms. Catnip leaves have certainly been utilized to prepare tea, and the blooms are said to cure coughs. Catnip is also a primary component in some natural insect sprays.
Effects of catnip on kittens
The effective component in catnip is a crucial oil named nepetalactone. How exactly nepetalactone influences the wiring of a kitten’s brain isn’t evident. But it is cited to compel receptors inside a kitten’s nose, which facilitate sensory neurons directing to a kitten’s brain. So, how does catnip affect kittens? It’s believed to mimic kitten pheromones, which result in a euphoric response.
The wonderful high of catnip does not stay for long times in felines. Usually, your adult cat might get crazy for about 10-15 minutes and then walk away to sleep. However, in the case of kittens, it lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes. And once a kitty has consumed catnip, it takes about 2-3 hours before kittens can be influenced by it again.
This herb can make kittens growl, purr, meow, roll on the floor, drool, and zip about. Catnip can also have a modest hallucinatory reaction, which explains why a kitten on catnip might avoid something that is not even there. Inhaling catnip has an extra stimulant effect. Thus, it can make your kitten sleepy and relaxed but not affect it adversely.
Some kittens can respond to catnip with mild angry behavior, such as swatting or low growling. If you own more than one kitten in your home, you must consider offering it to just one kitten at a time to ignore potential combats.
However, it is to be noted that not all kittens are influenced by catnip. It is thought to be an inherited excitement, with probably only 1 out of 3 kitties experiencing it. In addition, kittens under 2 or 3 months old don’t get affected by catnip at all.
Is catnip safe for kittens?
Yes, catnip is absolutely harmless for kittens. Instead, it is effective for your kitten’s proper appetite stimulation, prevention of stomach aches, and when it feels unwell.
Nonetheless, if your kitten consumes a lot of dried or fresh catnip leaves, it can experience discomfort in the tummy, along with diarrhea or vomiting. After all, nothing should be consumed excessively. So, ensure your kittens don’t overdo catnip.
However, it should be kept in mind that even though the catnip is not dangerous, your kitten can get weaker while running around the hall. In any condition, catnip needs to be given in moderation as a rare, pleasure treat for your kitty. Another cause why kittens should not go excessively on catnip is that catnip tends to lessen its impact with too much utilization.
While it is not dangerous for kittens, some herbs can result in issues, varying from sudden kidney failure to minor stomach aches.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the regular diet, kittens must be offered highly nutritious food instead of catnips. So, here is a list of foods that should be given to your kitten for their well-being.
Cat food |
Health Benefits |
| Cooked meat | Protein from meat keeps your kitten’s heart and reproductive system healthy. |
| Fresh and saltwater fish | Saltwater and fresh fish give your kitten a sufficient amount of protein for strong muscle development. |
| Salad greens | Feeding your kitten some vegetables will add some minerals and vitamins, and fiber to your kitten’s diet. |
| Cat grass | It provides minerals, vitamins, and fiber to your kitty to maintain their good health. |
Well, remember, kittens cannot respond to catnip until their age reaches 180 days or above. So, if you give it to your kitten below 6 months, there won’t be any positive or negative reaction, as the plant will remain ineffective.
But as soon as your kitten reaches 180 days of age, you can assure their indifference or love towards it by offering them toys or a little bit of catnip to smell. So, to enhance your kitten’s ability and strengthen your kitten’s physical health, you can offer it Dorakitten Catnip Toys.
Catnip is useful in specific circumstances. For example, catnip can get a lazy couch potato kitten moving. It can also be effective with behavioral problems. For instance, if your kitten is clawing the furnishings but not moving close to the scratching posts and rugs you have spread out, spray a little catnip on your kitten.
You can also give your kitten a little fresh catnip to eat before an annoying circumstance. As a modest sedative, catnip can calm down your kitty and make visits, car trips to the vet, and other anxiety-provoking actions effortless for you both.
Is catnip a drug for kittens?
Many kittens like catnip and will vigorously search for it in their setting. For these reasons, dried catnip is frequently utilized to motivate them to use their wooden posts instead of the legs of brand-new settees. It is also generally replaced within kitten toys or harvested in lawns as enrichment for kittens.
As per research, exposure of kittens to nepalactalol can cause a boost in a peptide hormone related to fun. So, it means that this herb could have some good properties for kittens.
Conclusion
As you can notice, catnip is a safe and fun way to keep your kittens amused. Nonetheless, if your kitty doesn’t show any interest, there is nothing bad with it either. It perhaps just needs the gene. However, if your kitten consumes a lot of catnip, it can make your kitten ill, so contact your vet if you notice vomiting or other health issues.
