The good news is, catnip is perfectly safe for your cat, so if they accidentally consume a small quantity – or deliberately enjoy nibbling on it as a tasty treat – it won't do them any harm.

What does catnip do to cats? Catnip has different effects depending on the individual cat and the way the cat takes the drug. "It either ramps cats up, or it mellows them out," Wooten says.

Want to feed your cat catnip? A vet shares one risk you need about to know before you do Kathryn Williams March 17, 2025 at 8:20 AM ...

Catnip has long been a source of fascination for cat owners. Its ability to induce playful, euphoric, or even bizarre behavior in felines makes it a popular addition to many pet households. But is ...

If your cat seems fearful, do not continue to give it to them. You also can refresh old toys by placing them in a sealed jar along with a sachet of catnip.

“Catnip needs six hours of sunlight, and should be placed next to a sunny window when grown indoors,” says Zaber. “If grown outside, it’s important to choose a sunny spot.

Fourth-year Operation Catnip ambassador Katie Houston (bottom right) places an IV catheter in a sick cat with the help of fellow fourth-year ambassador Ben Hwang in 2022.