Can Dogs Eat Catnip? 5 Catnip Health Benefits for Dogs

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)—also known as catswort or catmint—is a perennial herb and member of the mint family known for producing a euphoric effect in cats. It is a medium-sized plant with square stems and fuzzy green foliage. Catnip can grow to around three feet tall and sprouts little white flowers with purple markings. Different hybridizations can create catnip plants of varying sizes and color variations, from lavender to pink.

You can use catnip for a number of purposes, from a treat for your cats to tea. Its name is attributed to its frenzying effect on certain cats (due to the nepetalactone chemical), but dried catnip can also be used to make tea for human consumption. You can also grow catnip to attract pollinators like butterflies. Catnip can also be distilled into an essential oil for use as a mosquito repellent.

Dogs can safely consume catnip. This perennial herb is a stimulant for cats, but it has the opposite effect on dogs. Catnip contains essential oils that can sedate your dog and soothe their digestive system. Dog owners can add catnip leaves or catnip oil to their dog’s food or water to calm their nerves before a vet visit or stressful situation. You can also apply catnip oil to cuts and bug bites to reduce inflammation.

Catnip has a few desirable effects on dogs. Consider the following active ingredients and possible effects:

1. 1. Sedative: Catnip contains nepetalactone, a chemical that acts as a sedative for dogs. Catnip can help calm your dog’s nerves and promote better sleep.
2. 2. Diuretic: The compounds in catnip have a diuretic effect, which can help your dog get rid of excess water and flush out the waste products that healthy urination facilitates.
3. 3. Digestive: Catnip contains oils that can help soothe a dog’s digestive system, helping to keep them regular and relieve flatulence and indigestion.
4. 4. Antiseptic: Catnip contains thymol, an essential oil with natural antiseptic properties. Dog owners can apply catnip essential oil to cuts, scratches, or bugbites to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Catnip essential oil is also useful as an insect repellent.

How you administer catnip depends on the situation and form of the catnip. Consider the following:

1. 1. Add catnip to your dog’s food. One of the easiest ways to give your pet pooch catnip is by adding it to their dog food. Sprinkle a small amount of dried, shredded catnip or fresh catnip leaves on the chow and mix it in thoroughly. Alternatively, you can add drops of catnip essential oil to wet or dry dog food.
2. 2. Mix catnip oil in your dog’s water bowl. Adding catnip to your dog’s drinking water bowl is a simple way to give catnip to your pooch. Dogs can absorb the catnip quickly through water, and the effects will be more immediate.
3. 3. Give your dog a catnip toy. Catnip toys feature contain dried catnip leaves and often feature bells to get your pet’s attention. These small toys are often designed for cats, but giving your dog a catnip toy can be an excellent way to calm your dog’s nerves before a veterinary visit. Choose a large toy to prevent choking and intestinal blockage.

Consult with your vet to determine the right amount of catnip to give to your dog. Breed and weight will be factors in deciding the appropriate amount.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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