Did You Know??
September 22, 2026
What a Cat’s “Pawrents” Should Tell Them About Catnip
Candilee Jackson
“Did You Know ??” is a compilation of all sorts of feline trivia. As a disclaimer, a great deal of the material comes from my head (having lived with cats for seventy-plus years), as well as from a mountain range-sized and (most likely) a bottomless pit of cat trivia found online. Please note that some of the material will be sourced, some is from old wives’ tales, and some is just stuff I know. And yeah, I tried to check out online sources for the “head” stuff, so please enjoy!
PS: If you have questions or suggestions about all things cat, drop me a line at Cat Talk!
Introduction:
For those readers out there in “cat land” who lived through the tumultuous sixties, when the younger set of the populace “tuned in, turned on, and dropped out” while wearing bell-bottoms and with flower wreaths in their hair … this article is for you! According to what this writer will call an “old wives’ tale,” catnip is a hallucinogen that takes a cat on a “trip” similar to Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
In reality, this thought could not be further from the truth. “While catnip is compared to some hallucinogenic drugs, it is completely safe for cats. It is one-hundred percent natural, impossible to overdose, and it is not addictive.”3
So What IS Catnip?
“Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, derived from the town of Nepete in Italy, where it was first identified, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. It is a plant that is easy to grow in North America and has light-green foliage with lavender flowers.”2 Prior to being associated with felines, the leaves were used to make tea, and “the flowers are said to relieve coughs.” And, surprisingly, catnip is the main ingredient in some natural bug sprays.2
A Little History, If You Please!
Documented as far back as the eleventh century, the plant’s feline effects were likely first noticed in ancient gardens and homes, where domesticated cats encountered catmint, while humans cultivated it for medicinal purposes. Ancient Romans and Etruscans grew catnip for flavoring and medicinal purposes, and its presence in home herb gardens meant that cats often came into contact with it. Over centuries, anecdotal observations and folklore have built a strong link between catnip and cat behavior.1
Catnip and Cat Behavior Defined
Found in catnip leaves is nepetalactone, an oil that can alter behavioral changes in felines. Cats encounter catnip through their sense of smell. “Cats have an extra scent organ called the vomeronasal organ in the roof of their mouth. This special pathway allows scents that are collected in the nose and mouth to be carried to the brain.”2
Catnip mimics sex pheromones, and both male and female cats may behave as though in season. “Behaviors can include overt signs of affection, relaxation, and happiness. Other cats will display active behaviors, such as playfulness or sometimes even aggression.”2 The effects of catnip on felines vary with every cat: A cat under the influence of nepetalactone can experience everything from euphoria to aggression (and everything in between) as well as no effect at all. Yes, you read that correctly: Some cats are not even fazed by catnip! “About thirty percent to fifty percent of cats lack the gene that makes them responsive to it.”2 Kittens under the age of three months are immune to catnip because their organs are too immature for the smell.2
Catnip and Humans
Humans have used catnip for centuries as homegrown medicinal remedies. Historical home medical recipes have traditionally used catnip “to treat various ailments, including headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues.”1 Similar to basil, thyme, and oregano, traditional recipes have found catnip used as a seasoning added to main-course dishes, adding a minty flavor. Using the dried leaves to make a tea is said to have a mild calming effect on humans, while the catnip oil is sometimes used in natural insect repellents, as it can deter mosquitoes, “cockroaches, flies, dust mites, termites, and deer ticks.”4
How to Use Catnip2
Catnip is available in different forms, including:
- Fresh catnip (growing your own catnip plant)
- Dried catnip
- Catnip sprays or bubbles
- Toys stuffed with dried catnip
What About BIG Cats?
Yes! Big cats, wild cats, “lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” are NOT immune to the effects of catnip! Picture this: The Lion King’s Mufasa chewing on a catnip toy, rolling around like a kitten, tossing the toy into the air, and frolicking to his delight. Yup, that’s the same reaction your Fluffy might give the catnip toy left out for her amusement. That picture kinda makes me want to head to the St. Louis Zoo and toss a cat’s wort toy into the lions’ enclosure to see what happens … with me, most likely, being escorted out by security – or worse yet, arrested!
And the Tail End …
As a staff member to your cats, you need not fear using catnip in your home. It’s perfectly safe, and indulging your cat with natural euphoria once in a while is a real treat. “The only time a cat should stay away from catnip is when Fluffy has feline asthma, since the small particles can exacerbate coughing and wheezing if inhaled.”4 The only known negative is labeled “maybe,” as some cats become “very exuberant with their catnip play,”4 and depending on where the play takes place, the area could become very messy!
References
- Brunson, Sarajane. 2025. “Thirty-Five Facts About Catnip.” Facts. April 08. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://facts.net/nature/plants/35-facts-about-catnip//
- Heather Hoffmann, DVM. 2025. “What Is Catnip, and What It Does to Cats.” Pet Med. January 31. Accessed July 11, 2026. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/what-is-catnip
- King, Amber. 2024. “Interesting Facts About Catnip You May Not Have Known.” Cattitude Daily. February 06. Accessed July 11, 2026. https://cattitudedaily.com/15-things-you-never-knew-about-catnip/
- Weymouth, Monica. n.d. “Seven Surprising Facts About Catnip.” Pet Md. Accessed July 11, 2026. https://www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/7-surprising-facts-about-catnip