Is Catnip Safe for Cats and Dogs?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria), also called catmint or catswort, is mildly toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs.

Is catnip toxic to cats?

Cats · Mildly toxic

Mildly. Catnip is mildly toxic to cats. Signs to watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, unusual sleepiness or excitement and unsteady walking after eating a large amount.

Is catnip toxic to dogs?

Dogs · Non-toxic

No. Catnip is listed as non-toxic to dogs. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues, or if your cat seems unwell for more than a few hours.

Why

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a herb in the mint family that the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats. The ASPCA notes that many cats love catnip but that eating it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and that it makes some cats sleepy and others excited. Pet Poison Helpline says no significant toxicity is expected.

Catnip works through nepetalactone, an oil in the leaves that triggers a response in a cat's brain. The ASPCA entry lists cats only, and the AKC includes catnip among nontoxic houseplants for dog owners.

How to recognize it

Catnip is a soft, upright herb with gray-green, heart-shaped leaves that have toothed edges and a fuzzy feel, and small white or pale purple flowers in spikes at the tips. Crushing a leaf releases a strong minty smell. Catmint is a common name for the same plant.

Signs to watch for

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Unusual sleepiness or excitement
Unsteady walking after eating a large amount

What to do

Offer catnip in small pinches and put the rest away in a sealed container.
Avoid concentrated catnip oils, which PetMD notes are very potent.
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues, or if your cat seems unwell for more than a few hours.

Why some cats ignore catnip

Catnip does not work on every cat. PetMD puts the share of cats that react at about 60 percent, and Pet Poison Helpline gives a figure of about 70 percent of adult cats. Pet Poison Helpline also notes that heredity plays a role, so a cat that ignores catnip is not unwell.

Catnip usually has no effect on kittens. PetMD says most cats do not respond until they are between six months and one year old. In cats that do respond, the effect lasts around 10 to 15 minutes, and the cat then stops reacting for a while before the plant works again.

Can dogs eat catnip?

Catnip is not listed as toxic to dogs. The ASPCA entry names cats only, and the AKC includes catnip in its list of nontoxic houseplants for dog owners. A dog that sniffs or nibbles the cat's toy is not in danger.

Catnip is still plant material, and the ASPCA points out that eating any plant can cause vomiting or stomach upset in dogs and cats. A dog that eats a whole pot or a bag of dried catnip may have a bout of loose stool. The AKC also notes that pets can rarely be allergic to plants, just as people can.

Growing catnip at home

Catnip is easy to grow, and fresh leaves are stronger than dried ones, according to PetMD. Pet Poison Helpline warns that catnip spreads quickly when planted outside and attracts other cats from the neighborhood, so a pot on a balcony or windowsill is usually easier to manage than a garden bed.

Catnip plants on a windowsill tend to be flattened by a cat rolling on them. A sturdy pot that cannot tip over, and a cutting placed in the cat's own play area, make the plant last longer.

Keep potting soil and fertilizer away from where your cat rolls.
Trim stems regularly so the cat has fresh leaves to sniff rather than whole branches to eat.
Store dried catnip in a closed jar so a cat cannot break into the bag.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Common questions

Is catnip poisonous to pets?

Cats: Mildly toxic. Dogs: Non-toxic. Catnip is mildly toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. Cats that eat a lot of catnip may vomit or have diarrhea, but no serious poisoning is expected.

Is it safe to keep catnip in a home with cats and dogs?

Yes, as long as your pets cannot reach it. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues, or if your cat seems unwell for more than a few hours.

What should I do if my pet chews catnip?

Offer catnip in small pinches and put the rest away in a sealed container. Avoid concentrated catnip oils, which PetMD notes are very potent.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of catnip?

Spider plant and Boston fern are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

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Sources

PetMD. What Is Catnip and What Does It Do to Cats?
Pet Poison Helpline. The Chemistry of Catnip.
Pet Poison Helpline. Vegetable Gardening and Pets.
American Kennel Club (AKC). 7 Nontoxic Houseplants for Dog Owners.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.

If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).