Let’s continue our discussion about catnip today.
Ingesting catnip causes different reactions from smelling it. Cats appear more relaxed. It is also beneficial to the health of their gastrointestinal tract. However, ingesting a large amount may cause digestive upset and other adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, laziness and lack of coordination in their movements.
Pros
Some benefits of catnip to cats are listed below:
• Some veterinarians strongly recommend catnip for treating separation anxiety in cats because of its mild sedative properties. It can also be used for pain relief.
• Catnip is commonly used for the training of cats. If your cat is afraid of a certain object or you want your cat to become familiar with new objects in their environment, catnip is the best tool you can use. Just sprinkle it over that object and you will see the magic.
• Neither smelling nor eating catnip will lead to addiction to the plant.
Cons
Catnip has no adverse effect if used properly. Some side effects of catnip are listed below:
• Cats are carnivores so their stomach is unfit for digestion of herbs. If a cat accidentally consumes large amounts of catnip, it could result in vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Tomcats (entire male cats) may become sexually hyperactive since nepetalactone mimics the effect of sex hormones.
• If a pregnant cat smells or ingests catnip there could be serious complications such as premature parturition. It is harmful to both the mother and kittens.
Most pet owners introduce catnip to their cats for fun and amusement. The consumption of a limited amount has no harmful effect. It is completely safe with no toxic agent dreadful to the life of cats, but the regular use of catnip or stuffed toys should be avoided.
If you are feeding the herb to your kitty, the quantity should be strictly measured. You should consult your veterinarian in advance. If you observe any signs of vomiting and diarrhoea, immediately stop offering catnip until your cat has fully recovered.
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