Dec
3
2010

Will catnip toys harm my kitten?

I went shopping today and stumbled upon catnip. It was the ground kind that you can just sprinkle around. According to the bag, kittens under 6 months should not be given catnip, so I didn’t buy it.

A week or so ago I did buy her some toys filled with cotton stuffing and catnip. She loves them and can bat and carry them around for hours!

Are these ok for her? She’s about 4 months old and completely healthy.

You did well. Some cats love catnip and others could care less – might sniff at it and saunter away(: ). Glad you followed the warning and only bought the toys for now. Kittens will try to eat anything – even the litter in the litter box when they are first introduced.

Cats who like catnip will generally roll around, rub their faces in it, drool, jump or run around like crazy, and purr a lot. Different cats have different reactions, but these are usually the signs that show your cat is enjoying the catnip. The cat or kitten will eventually calm down and probably take a nap. Catnip’s effects are like your cat getting a high – but I am not saying this in a negative way.

Some cats like to eat the leaves, and this is usually safe for most cats but you need to be careful with kittens. A cat or kitten with a sensitive stomach may experience bouts of vomiting or diarrhea from eating the plant leaves. That ’s why it is best to just give them a toy with the crushed leaves (or pellets) inside, instead of directly giving catnip.

A toy will allow cat to enjoy the effects without eating the leaves. It’s really the smell that sets the cat off.. Many catnip toys can be refilled with fresh leaves, or sprayed, or you can just roll the toy around in a plastic bag of the crushed leaves or use a spray mist. I make cat toys and place one or two pellets inside. One of my daughters stores cat toys in a plastic storage bag with a few crushed leaves, in the fridge. When the other ones lost their effect, she replaces with a fresh one from the fridge bag, and begins the next bag. She raises her own plants and lets the leaves dry on the plant before removing them.

The effects on your cat may vary due to the quality and potency of the leaves. This difference can be due to where and how the plant was grown. Kittens chances may start responding to catnip as early as two months of age. If it has shown no real response by six months old, then chances are that it may be one of those cats not affected. However, could also be due to the catnip source and the particular leaves, so might check out other brands. Also comes in spray and pellets.

HOWEVER, your little one is already showing that she responds to catnip so that last part won’t apply. You can also grow your own catnip as a potted plant, placed in some high location to keep kitten from eating the leaves. Let the leaves dry and store in a storage bag or container. Once she is old enough, you can sometimes sprinkle a tiny bit on a toy or spot, and watch her react. TIP: Read somewhere that you can use catnip to introduce new cat. Sprinkle a little or spray a little on cat furniture, toys, spots to make new one comfortable in adjustments, and to distract the veteran pet. Sometimes the older one is so busy enjoying the catnip that it forgets about the new one, and vice versus.

10 Responses to “Will catnip toys harm my kitten?”

  1. GaB ☆☺♥ ☯ ☮ ✿♫ Says:

    i dont like giving my cat any toys with catnip it makes him wild…<hes 1>
    References :
    me (:

  2. JackFan18 Says:

    Probably not. Just make him/her more vivid, maybe.
    References :
    I gave my kitten a catnip toy, now shes just crazy with toys.

  3. briandwales Says:

    probably not
    References :

  4. A. Says:

    Yes, this is fine for her. Catnip is completely nontoxic to cats, although it can mess with the brain developing in very small cats. Some cats just have very extreme reactions. I’m not an expert so I would contact a vet. Hope this helps; merry Christmas!
    References :

  5. James Says:

    It should be fine
    References :

  6. Josh Says:

    Catnip is like a bolt of lightning to the "playing" cell in the brain. Bzzz Then ke-ke gets crazy!! Lol Its funny watching them though. Ive seen them for an hour or more.
    References :
    Experienced

  7. Jkittens Says:

    Cats less than 6 or 7 months usually do not react to catnip. When older cats do, they can get crazy with it, or some cats do not like it at all. Cat nip is an herb. It affects the brain in a cat, stimulating their sense of smell & behavior.
    References :
    45 years with kitties

  8. Ocimom Says:

    Won’t hurt them. Young kittens usually don’t react to catnip, but some do and its harmless. I have NO clue as to why the package would say that. I usually don’t give them catnip till about 4-6 months old cause they don’t do anything with it.
    References :

  9. Matt_1974 Says:

    Nope. Catnip will not harm your kitten. Catnip is a plant which SOME cats react to as if they are hallucinating or high, others try to shag it.

    These toys which have dried catnip inside them will be fine as long as they are quality toys which she can’t choke on. catnip toys lose their potency after a few months.

    One of mine loves catnip treats, another couldn’t care less. (he’s laying with his head on my hand i;m trying to type!)
    References :
    Experience

  10. thinker Says:

    You did well. Some cats love catnip and others could care less – might sniff at it and saunter away(: ). Glad you followed the warning and only bought the toys for now. Kittens will try to eat anything – even the litter in the litter box when they are first introduced.

    Cats who like catnip will generally roll around, rub their faces in it, drool, jump or run around like crazy, and purr a lot. Different cats have different reactions, but these are usually the signs that show your cat is enjoying the catnip. The cat or kitten will eventually calm down and probably take a nap. Catnip’s effects are like your cat getting a high – but I am not saying this in a negative way.

    Some cats like to eat the leaves, and this is usually safe for most cats but you need to be careful with kittens. A cat or kitten with a sensitive stomach may experience bouts of vomiting or diarrhea from eating the plant leaves. That ’s why it is best to just give them a toy with the crushed leaves (or pellets) inside, instead of directly giving catnip.

    A toy will allow cat to enjoy the effects without eating the leaves. It’s really the smell that sets the cat off.. Many catnip toys can be refilled with fresh leaves, or sprayed, or you can just roll the toy around in a plastic bag of the crushed leaves or use a spray mist. I make cat toys and place one or two pellets inside. One of my daughters stores cat toys in a plastic storage bag with a few crushed leaves, in the fridge. When the other ones lost their effect, she replaces with a fresh one from the fridge bag, and begins the next bag. She raises her own plants and lets the leaves dry on the plant before removing them.

    The effects on your cat may vary due to the quality and potency of the leaves. This difference can be due to where and how the plant was grown. Kittens chances may start responding to catnip as early as two months of age. If it has shown no real response by six months old, then chances are that it may be one of those cats not affected. However, could also be due to the catnip source and the particular leaves, so might check out other brands. Also comes in spray and pellets.

    HOWEVER, your little one is already showing that she responds to catnip so that last part won’t apply. You can also grow your own catnip as a potted plant, placed in some high location to keep kitten from eating the leaves. Let the leaves dry and store in a storage bag or container. Once she is old enough, you can sometimes sprinkle a tiny bit on a toy or spot, and watch her react. TIP: Read somewhere that you can use catnip to introduce new cat. Sprinkle a little or spray a little on cat furniture, toys, spots to make new one comfortable in adjustments, and to distract the veteran pet. Sometimes the older one is so busy enjoying the catnip that it forgets about the new one, and vice versus.
    References :
    50+ yrs as cat lover, cat owner, and caregiver of any ages and types’ favorite web resource – http://www.myhealthycat.com/catnip.html

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