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We’ve all seen those funny clips of people’s cats going wild after playing with some catnip. Catnip is an herb that has some sort of aroma that results in cats getting a burst of energy, but does it make them feel “high?” Well, according to the study, catnip for cats works similarly to the way drugs affect a human’s reward system.1 The chemical compounds found in catnip work to reward a cat’s opioid system, which results in the “high” behaviors such as rolling around, getting a bit more aggressive, or spacing out.
That said, it’s not the same “high” that a human would experience from drugs. Let’s take a deeper look at how catnip affects felines below.
What Is It That Gets Cats High?
When cats interact with catnip, there is a chemical called nepetalactone that travels through their vomeronasal organ to trigger the release of endorphins. As we know, endorphins result in these rather funny reactions like an increase in vocal behaviors, rolling around, and feeling generally good. It is not completely known how the cat feels when interacting with catnip in terms of other effects or feelings, but I guess we wouldn’t know until cats start sharing or our technology allows us to communicate with them, which is likely to happen in the not so far future!
Research has shown that catnip (Nepeta cataria) affects cats by activating their opioid systems. The active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, stimulates the release of beta-endorphins, which bind to opioid receptors in the brain, inducing feelings of euphoria and pleasure. This mechanism is similar to how opioids function in humans, though catnip is non-addictive for cats.
Can Cats Get Too High from Catnip?
Unlike humans, cats cannot get addicted to catnip. Cats have a fascinating, self-regulated relationship with catnip. When exposed to catnip, cats typically sniff, roll, lick, or chew it, but they rarely overindulge. Therefore you can be sure that giving them catnip isn’t like giving your cats drugs or giving them a life-long addiction. They won’t beg for more catnip or start experiencing negative side effects without it. However, ingesting too much catnip in one sitting can make them feel sick, like eating too many treats or too much food. You might notice this through vomiting or stomach issues.
How Long Does It Last?
After a cat interacts with catnip, you’ll notice they begin to react rather quickly. It often only takes a few seconds before they start acting silly. It also doesn’t last an extended amount of time. The effects of catnip, which last about 10–15 minutes, naturally diminish after a short period, and most cats will lose interest, giving their bodies time to “reset” their sensitivity. Which can sometimes take a couple of hours.
This built-in self-regulation ensures that cats enjoy catnip safely and without the risk of dependence or harmful effects, making it a fun and harmless enrichment activity for your kitty.
Is There More Than One Type of Catnip?
There are several varieties of catnip though the most common one is Nepeta cataria, there is also the Lemon catnip that is Nepeta cataria var. Citriodora the hybrid species Nepeta cataria ‘Walker’s Low’ and the Nepeta cataria ‘Citronella’.
There are several different available forms as well. While the most common type of catnip comes as dried leaves shredded into smaller pieces, there are other forms of catnip. You can find it in sprays, toys, the plant itself, and more. The most common type is seeing it ground up in a bag at your local pet store, whereas the second most common would be toys stuffed with the plant.
Well-designed toys will keep your cat happy and engaged. For a sturdy, fun toy that will look nice in your living room, we recommend Hepper’s Catnip Stick Toy! These toys are designed to look like prey and double-bagged to stand up to your cat’s sharpest claws and teeth. Plus, they’re filled with organic catnip and handmade in the USA.
At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Health Tips for Cats
Catnip will not harm your cat. If they accidentally get into a bag or rip open a catnip toy, your biggest concern would be how hyper they might get or the digestive issues that could result. Although there are many memes or allusions to catnip being similar to Marijuana for cats, that is more because it is a green herb and cats seem to use it for recreation. But the effects of catnip on cats look different than those on marijuana consumed by humans. They also affect different systems; THC affects the endocannabinoid system and more importantly, THC is toxic to cats.
So catnip is safe and not toxic to cats. Of course, we can’t fully understand the little creatures, but there have been dangerous side effects documented with catnip.
As mentioned, the only thing you should keep an eye on is to ensure your cat does not ingest too much of it and ends up with digestive distress, so avoid giving them access to a full bag and they will be ok.
Final Thoughts
All this is to say that catnip is a safe option for your cats if they enjoy it. Some cats may react differently, but you don’t have to worry about them having any severe adverse reactions to the plant. The most you’ll see is a happy and hyper cat followed by a sleepy cat.
Although catnip affects a cat’s opioid system, it is self-regulated as it only has an effect once every couple of hours. They won’t experience any addiction issues or withdrawal symptoms like humans on opioid drugs do. So don’t feel like you’re drugging up your cat after giving them a catnip toy!
Featured Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock
