If you’ve been a pet owner for any length of time, you’ve probably heard that catnip can help calm anxious canines.
If you’ve been a pet owner for any length of time, you’ve probably heard that catnip can help calm anxious canines. Maybe you’ve wondered, “Is catnip bad for dogs?” Canine use of catnip: yes or no? Let’s investigate the effects of catnip and read some reviews of related products at the end of this blog post.

What Is Catnip?

 

Nepeta cataria, more often known as catnip, is a member of the mint family. Different effects are seen in cats and dogs due to the presence of the active component nepetalactone.

There is a volatile oil in the plant’s leaves and stems that is toxic to cats and dogs. Cats exposed to catnip act like females or “queens” going through their heat cycle. When a cat starts rubbing its head on things, you know it’s bored (or on their owners).

They might also make a lot of noise, bounce about, and drool. Catnip’s effects often wear off after around ten minutes. After 30 minutes, they will no longer respond to the catnip.

They will once again be vulnerable to the plant after 30 minutes, at which point the observable behavioural changes will occur. The catnip plant can have an effect on up to 80% of cats.

A cat’s receptiveness to the catnip plant might also be affected by the feline’s age. Catnip has little to no effect on kittens younger than six months old. It appears that the volatile oil in catnip has the greatest effect on sexually mature cats.

It is believed that the catnip plant has originated in both Asia and Europe. A few centuries ago, settlers were the ones who brought it to North America. Now widespread in the United States, catnip is widely regarded as a noxious weed.

Cat owners often produce catnip in their own gardens, either in the ground or in containers. It is a common misconception that catnip is like marijuana for felines, yet this plant does not have any addictive properties. The results are very different.

What Does Catnip Do?

 

Catnip components enter the cat’s brain through the nose and act on multiple areas of the brain simultaneously.

It is thought that nepetalactone influences the hypothalamus, which regulates the cat’s emotions and appetite. Catnip’s active chemicals are mistaken by queen cats for sexual pheromones, which explains why the herb is such a potent stimulant.

Catnip has a very different effect on canines and humans. Catnip is a traditional treatment for infant colic in Native American culture. It has a slight sedative effect when added to tea.

It has been noted that dogs are susceptible to the same effect. Although cats and dogs share a common ancestor, catnip has the opposite impact on cats as it does on dogs.

Be cautious about how and when you give this herb to your dog because of its sedative effects.

Never fear. Catnip is completely safe for canine consumption. Avoid giving it as a reward if you don’t want your dog to crash and burn. Among the acceptable contexts for administering catnip to canines are:

There are several potential causes of fear, aggression, and anxiety in dogs, all of which should be taken into account when deciding how to quiet down your pet.
Anxiety and overexcitement can be brought on by anything that causes disruption in the routine, such as noisy holidays, excursions, vet visits, or a new addition to the family. You won’t have any trouble calming your dog down because catnip will sedate it for a while.
Some animals, including your dog, may have trouble sleeping just like some people do. Catnip can help settle an energetic dog down, especially at night or at times when he should be sleeping.
Catnip has inherent antibacterial qualities, therefore it can also aid with wound healing. Fresh catnip can be used to treat minor wounds.

BONUS REVIEWS

Our Pets Cosmic Catnip

 

Every single plant that goes into the Our Pets brand of catnip is cultivated right here in the United States. The maker claims that this product has the most irresistible scent for your feline and canine friends, making it the ideal complement to your other pet supplies and treats.

Consumer reports confirm that Our Pets Cosmic Catnip is a hit with feline friends everywhere it’s been introduced. Cats who are confined to the house enjoy it so much that they will find methods to get to the catnip even if their owners don’t let them.

It’s important to remember that 20% of cats don’t react to catnip; if your cat doesn’t show any signs of excitement when exposed to the volatile aromatic oil of catnip, your cat is likely not one of those 20%. Catnip has also been given to puppies by their owners, who report that after eating it, their canine companions appear to feel much more at ease.

MIBOTE 28 pcs. Cat Toys

 

Your pet may have outgrown their present set of toys, in which case you should consider purchasing a variety pack. Some of the bright and interesting features of this package are the mice, fluffy objects, crinkles, bells, balls, and even a tunnel.

In addition to the tassel and wands, which were created especially for this set and were highly recommended by previous buyers, this collection contains everything your pet could possibly want in terms of playthings. There were some cats who loved the tunnel, but there were also some who didn’t.

We don’t recommend using the tunnel if your cat is on the stockier side; several customers have reported having problems getting their animals in and out of it. You’ll know if the cat tunnel is too small when the order arrives. However, if you have a little dog or cat, this is a great addition to your home.