Best Catnip For Cats In 2023: How To Make Your Feline Happy And Adorable

A catnip is a herb, which has an odor that can intoxicate the felines. Cats very much like to paw and roll these dried leaves. Whenever I give a catnip to my cat, she gets super happy and rolls it around. She loves smelling the wonderful smell of the catnip. So, if you are a cat owner, then you must buy the best catnip for your cat.

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What Is A Catnip?

What Is A Catnip

Another name for a catnip is Nepeta Cataria. This mint has a powerful odor of oregano and mint. It has two other names as well, which are catmint and catswort. Such names have been given to these strongly scented herbs as they tend to allure felines.

They are aboriginals of some areas in Asia and Europe. But now these catnips are also found in Canada and North America as well. These plants have a maximum height of 100cms. Its foliage is green and brown in color. It has flowers of white color and has spots of purple and pink color. Some catnips are defiled with harmful chemicals.

How Cats React to Catnip?

The oils that are present in a catnip are capable of altering the chemicals, which can lead to relaxation, playfulness or euphoria.  Whenever a cat inhales a catnip, chemical reactions start taking place in those areas of the cat’s brain, which are responsible for the behavior. 

best catnip for cats

The reactions of a cat to a catnip are given below:

  • Purring
  • Drooling
  • Rolling
  • Rubbing body and cheeks on certain things
  • Aggression
  • Increased playfulness
  • Chewing, licking, and sniffing

After smelling the odor of a catnip, cats began to feel content and relaxed. There can also be excitement at first, which can be followed by chilling out or sleeping. If you will develop a habit of giving a catnip to your feline many times a day, then she can build up immunity and may not react to it ever again.

Do All Cats React to Catnip?

best catnip

It has been found that only 70-80% of cats react to catnips. Rest of the cat population does not feel attracted to the catnips. The most interesting thing is that big cats easily feel attracted to the catnips. As far as it is concerned about the leopards and tigers population, then yes they do get attracted.

Can Cats Eat Catnip?

can cats eat catnip

The most prominent thing for the cat owners nowadays is nothing but a catnip. There are numerous catnip treats present in the market, which you can feed to your feline. There is no need for the feline owners to worry about the safety of their cats as it is completely safe for a feline to consume a catnip. It has a minty flavor and cats like it a lot.

Although it is advisable to feed a catnip to your feline in moderation. A little treat is fine but if you wish to satisfy her cravings, then you can let her play with the toys. Feeding catnip in moderation cannot cause any harm to your feline friend.

What Are The Benefits of Catnips for Cats?

Eating, scratching, and licking a catnip can offer several benefits to a feline. It can also relieve your feline from various kinds of ailments. It helps them in keeping their mood uplifted and can also help them in reducing weight. It can also make the older cats playful and happy.

best catnip
  • Soft and warm kitty: If your feline starts scratching her body a lot more as compared to usual, then all you need is to give her a warm catnip bath so that all her discomfort goes away. Mix one tablespoon of ground catnip in the water and mix it in the water that is already present in the bathtub of your cat. The irresistible aroma of the catnip will make your feline love her bath even if she does not like taking a bath.
  • Sleep kitty: A catnip creates a sedative impact on your feline. It can make your kitty calm down. Also, if your cat is like roaming around at night and does not sleep during the night time, then a catnip can help them in staying relaxed when they sleep. A catnip is also used in shelters for keeping the cats relaxed in the unknown places.
  • Calm kitty: Catnips provide the benefit of stress reduction. Cats love their regular life and even a little bit of change can upset them, which can lead to upset stomach or anxiety. There are actually no methods through which cats can cope with stress. So, they can easily get aggressive or anxious, there is a chance that they may even lose fur. A catnip can aid in relaxing the muscles and can actually help your kitty get relaxed. If a catnip is not carefully stored, then it will not remain impactful after a period of 6 months.
  • Happy kitty: Some cats may feel sad and in melancholy. Just like human beings, cats can also suffer from depression. Such cats are not happy actually. A catnip can actually bring back the zest and playfulness in a feline’s life. A catnip can help in keeping your feline more positive and happy.

Review of The 8 Best Catnip for Your Feline

So, below are the reviews of the 8 best catnip for a cat:

*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the buttons above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon


Via: Amazon.com

This is the best treat for your feline. It is not just a treat but it also provides health benefits to the cat. The flavor of this catnip is irresistible. Other than that it has a morsels feature and is both crunchy as well as delicious. It has a distinct shape that helps in scraping away the tarter and plaque as she begins to chew it for fresher breath and cleaner teeth.

The initial ingredient for this catnip is chicken, which helps in increasing the metabolism of a feline’s body. Additionally, the chicken ingredient enhances the flavor. The product is manufactured with healthy and natural ingredients. This product is the Editor’s Pick because it promotes hygiene and is made up of natural and healthy ingredients.

Pros:

  • Keeps your cat’s gums and teeth healthy
  • Made up of natural ingredients
  • Has a delicious taste
  • Increases metabolism

Cons:

  • Some cats vomited after eating this product
  • Some felines don’t like it

Via: Amazon.com

If you are worried about the well-being of your feline friends, then you must prefer buying this product for your cat. A feline is more like a family member, so it is important for us to choose the thing that best suits them. This one is an organic catnip. This catnip has been made from the plants that did not use any fillers, pesticides, and chemicals.

This product has the best quality and guarantees the safety of your furry friend. Manufactured in the United States, this product comes in various sizes. There is an availability of different packaging options for distinct sizes. This product is the Alternative Pick because it provides energetic fun to your feline friends.

Pros:

  • Manufactured in the USA
  • Extremely potent
  • Available in a shaker jar
  • Comes in different sizes

Cons:

  • Messy
  • Cats break the cabinet easily

Via: Amazon.com

If you are looking for other options for an organic catnip, then you must try out Yeowww’s Catnip Bags. This product has been manufactured by a company that is known for producing quality products for the pets.

The components using which this product is made is extracted from catmint plants. It has extreme doses of oil that can make your cat go crazy. This product is great for the felines that like munching on a catnip. This catnip is cheaper as compared to other products.

Pros:

  • Sharp parts are not used in the making
  • Potent smell
  • Made in the United States
  • Available in various sizes

Cons:

  • Some people think that the quality is not good
  • Extremely old
  • Some cats don’t like it

Via: Amazon.com

This product is manufactured in Canada and is another great option to be given to your feline friend. Made by using organic herbs, this catnip is of high quality as it does not include any preservatives or artificial ingredients.

The plants using which this product is made are harvested at the time of best growing seasons. This is why this product is considered as the Upgrade Pick out of all.

Pros:

  • Harvests during the peak season
  • Great for old felines
  • Organic
  • Remains fresh for a long duration

Cons:

  • Has a confusing up-sizing
  • Not economical

Via: Amazon.com

This one is also called the best catnip in the whole world. The claims made by the manufacturers of this product are really high and indeed this product is a decent one.

OurPets Premium North- American Grown Cosmic Catnip is also great because it is a natural product, which means it does not contain any additional ingredients or extenders. This product is liked by most of the pussy.

Pros:

  • Has a powerful scent
  • Very potent
  • Seeds also come along in this product

Cons:

  • Stem is a part of the mix
  • It has sticks and thorns

Via: Amazon.com

This catnip spray is made up of steam distilled oil. Such oil is used in this spray for attracting or intoxicating the felines. This product is perfect for vitalizing the cat toys again. This product is used for spraying on cat condors, scratchers, teasers, and cat toys to give the irresistible fun to your pet. The product is made by using renewable resources and natural ingredients.

The product has been manufactured specially for appealing the natural instincts of a feline. A little amount of this spray is enough for enticing your furry friend. This product can rekindle your feline friend’s interest in the soft toys they used to play with.

Pros:

  • Has a strong smell
  • Little goes a long way
  • Effective
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Some people think that this is cat repellent
  • Some felines don’t show interest in it

           Via: Amazon.com

This catnip toy consists of 3 things mainly and that includes catnip, string, and mice. The soft and furry texture of this mouse toy feels great to the claws and teeth of a cat. This interactive toy is extremely safe for your feline friend and increases the amount of fun.

This cat toy comes in a form of 3 packs. It also has a twisted rope to chase. This product is perfect for carrying around, batting, kicking, and biting. Although you need to supervise your cat whenever she plays with her toy. Don’t let the pet play with the toy if a part gets detached or loose.

Pros:

  • Extremely safe
  • Available in a pack
  • Has a soft texture

Cons:

  • Some people say that it is stale
  • Can be ingested by the cats

Via: Amazon.com

Catnip Toy, Yellow Banana has catnip of extremely high quality. Each and every toy is sewed by the hand and is stuffed individually with the catnip that is grown naturally. The external fabric is made up of cotton, which is durable that can stand any kind of bunny kicking and biting of your cat friend. This banana toy is both quirky as well as bright.

Additionally, it does not have any dangerous pieces of plastic, cotton fillers or any kind of low-grade materials. It is constructed by using soy-based colors. The product is manufactured in the United States.

Pros:

  • Quirky and bright
  • Made in the USA
  • Completely organic
  • High-quality product

Cons:

  • Can tear apart easily
  • Some cats don’t get appealed by it

What To Look For In The Best Catnip for Cats? 

best catnip

Mentioned-below are the different types of catnips and the essential qualities that must be present in the catnip.

Types of catnips:

A fresh catnip can be grown in a planter and can enable a cat to interact with the plant on their own. Felines like to rub against, nibble, and roll on the fresh plants.

i. Dried and loose catnip

This is the most common type of catnip that a person can buy. Felines react quickly to a dried catnip in comparison to a fresh catnip. All you have to do is to rub this catnip on your fingers for releasing the fragrant oil so that your furry friend can play with it.

ii. Catnip spray

The spray of catnip is nothing but the combination of oil and water for creating a fragrant and potent spray. If you spray catnips on the toys of your cat, then you can rekindle the attraction of your feline to his or her toys. This a great choice, in case you don’t like cleaning up the catnip flakes. Although if you use this catnip spray, then your feline will not be able to interact with or chew a physical catnip.

iii. Catnip toys

It will be really fun to give these toys to your cat and there is no need for you to clean the catnip flakes. Additionally, your cats can play with these catnip toys. Plus, they will get to experience the smell of the intoxicating herbs. Dried catnip is packed along with these toys for the stimulation of the playing instinct of the feline. If you buy a toy that is refillable, then it will last longer than the actual lifespan of the catnip.

Storage conditions and age: 

If a catnip is stored for a longer duration, then it can lose its smell. A catnip is completely useless without its aroma. If it is not stored carefully, then its impact can get reduced. If you have toys, then they can be stored in the ziplock bags.

Growing and strain condition:

A catnip’s quality is equally important to its age. If you begin with an inferior strain, then the product, which you are going to receive at the end is going to be a weak one. Growing conditions like nutrition, climate, and soil also create an impact on the health of an herb. If you get a catnip that is very cheap, then you may be compromising with its quality. Therefore, it is advisable for you to stick with those brands that are known for their quality.

Organic:

The organic catnips are grown without making use of the artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. The best catnips are the ones that a person grows himself or herself. 

Tips For Using A Catnip

Here are some of the tips that you must follow for using a catnip:

  • If your feline inhales the scent of the catnip, then its quality will start improving.
  • Organic and fresh catnips are better than the stale catnips. So before buying them, you must check the expiry dates.
  • The buds and leaves are the most potent areas, therefore you must buy the buds that are fresh.
  • In order to keep the herbs potent and fresh, you can put them in a ziplock bag and then refrigerate them.
  • If you give the catnips to your feline in extreme quantities, then it can lead to tranquilizing effect. Therefore, it is recommended to give these herbs in small amounts.
  • If your pussy already has a favorite interactive toy, which she likes a lot, then you can bring back its potency just by rolling fresh catnips on it.
  • A catnip can also be grown like other herbs used in the kitchen. All you require is water, sunshine, and potting soil. Also, ensure that you don’t grow them in those areas where your feline can get overindulged in the herb.
  • Watch this video if you wish to get the tips about growing a catnip.

Conclusion

So, these were all the best catnips available in the market but the best one out of all of them is Greenies FELINE Dental Cat Treats because of its amazing and unique features like it is good for gums and teeth, good for metabolism, and is made up of natural ingredients.

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Via: Amazon.com

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Luna Tran
 

My name is Luna and I am a great cat lover and a cat owner of three lovely cats. I have owned many cats till now and have dedicated many years to nurturing and caring cats. Through this blog, I am here to share my knowledge and experience about cats.

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