My dog seems to LOVE catnip, is this normal?
She goes after all the catnip toys that I buy for my cat but leaves the others alone. She gets a little nuts when shes playing with them and sometimes tears them open and eats it.
catnip is fine, but ‘tears them open and eats’ [the stuffing] may NOT be ‘fine’… any squeakers, filling, or other stuff can be dangerous to swallow.
try offering fresh catnip, which is sometimes available in farmer’s markets… or try buying culinary (cooking) herbs fresh, like rosemary, basil, oregano, etc. Be sure to ask if any herb HAS BEEN SPRAYED, if U are buying any herb that isn’t intended for cooking/sold in a produce section for human-consumption.
folks who sell herbs that are home-grown for decoration, may not think about the dangers when they fertilize or spray for insects, mildew, etc; so i make a point of asking, just in case! {herbs are pretty hardy, and insects don’t bother them much; but many people who grow catnip don’t think of it as ‘edible’, tho it is.]
both cats and dogs love scents… HOWEVER:
for the post-er whose cat ‘Loves! ‘Deep Cold’, PLEASE BE CAREFUL – take the bottle into Ur vet’s office, and * ask * if this is a safe-substance for cats!!
cats are more-susceptible to poisoning, and so we must always be aware that they may not Know what’s safe for them; its up to us humans to prevent injury or illness for our furry-friends! 
October 5th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
everything sounds normal except for the eating part
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October 5th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
I’m not to sure if its normal, but my mini schnauzer loves catnip too. So it may be that it stimulates both cats and dogs. My mother in law told me that catnip is like pot for cats. Could have the same effects on dogs.
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October 5th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
My daughter has a lab/husky mix that we babysit sometimes. She loves catnip. When I give it to the cats, I have to give her some too. I guess dogs can appreciate it. They make catnip tea for humans too.
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had the same experience
October 5th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
what is normal nowadays. our cat eats dogfood and our dog licks the cat clean LOL
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October 5th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Sure it is, my cat *loves* Deep Cold! Catnip does nothing for him. I think its the menthol..he loves it.. if I have menthol gum he goes all purry and follows me around.
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October 5th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
i think dogs will just eat anything dont worry about theres nothing wrong
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my dog, lol
October 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
dogs like plants… they are omnivours so probabaly would enjoy a ball stuffed with mint or garlic to the same extent..
dogs do not get the same effect from catnip that cats get, and infact not all cats get that effect….
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October 5th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
catnip is fine, but ‘tears them open and eats’ [the stuffing] may NOT be ‘fine’… any squeakers, filling, or other stuff can be dangerous to swallow.
try offering fresh catnip, which is sometimes available in farmer’s markets… or try buying culinary (cooking) herbs fresh, like rosemary, basil, oregano, etc. Be sure to ask if any herb HAS BEEN SPRAYED, if U are buying any herb that isn’t intended for cooking/sold in a produce section for human-consumption.
folks who sell herbs that are home-grown for decoration, may not think about the dangers when they fertilize or spray for insects, mildew, etc; so i make a point of asking, just in case! {herbs are pretty hardy, and insects don’t bother them much; but many people who grow catnip don’t think of it as ‘edible’, tho it is.]
both cats and dogs love scents… HOWEVER:
for the post-er whose cat ‘Loves! ‘Deep Cold’, PLEASE BE CAREFUL – take the bottle into Ur vet’s office, and * ask * if this is a safe-substance for cats!!
cats are more-susceptible to poisoning, and so we must always be aware that they may not Know what’s safe for them; its up to us humans to prevent injury or illness for our furry-friends!
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meds for people are not always SAFE for non-humans; always * ask * before using any human-meds on non-human animals…
30 yrs educating ppl, training pets; certified Vet’s Asst.
October 5th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Catnip is a drug for animals. Dogs and cats eat greens, and they are compelled naturally to eat greens, it helps keep their digestive system regulated.
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