The Best Catnip for Cats: Indulging Your Kitty’s Fun Side

If you own a cat, you know catnip shows up EVERYWHERE. It’s tucked into your kitty’s toys, comes in packets with cardboard scratchers, flavors their treats, and inhabits many garden beds as a weed. The pet industry automatically associates cats and catnip. But what if you want the real thing? After all, toys lose their potency. And, eventually, you need to toss out those cardboard scratchers. Where do you find the best catnip for cats? It’s not quite as easy as stepping outside and pulling off a few leaves.

Forms of Catnip

These days, catnip crops up in every form you could imagine:

• Fresh herb
• Dried leaves
• Sprays (made from concentrated oils)
• Bubbles (which also contain the oils)
• Toys stuffed with dried leaves
• Cat “wine” (there’s no alcohol involved – just a mixture brewed from the dried leaves)

The variety sounds exciting and tempting, but there are drawbacks. The oils used in catnip sprays and bubbles lack the potency of the original leaves. Your cat may enjoy some of the effects of the catnip, but the nepetalactone isn’t as strong. And odds are you’re not going to pour cat wine on the furniture. It’s effective for calming your cat (mind the amount you offer), but you won’t see any silly behaviors.

If you want the typical “happy” response, you need to focus on the leaves and flowers. And unless you’re growing the plant yourself, you’ll need the dried leaves.

Uses for the Best Catnips

Obviously, you can sprinkle the leaves on the floor and watch your cat dance and roll around. But catnip has other beneficial uses. The nepetalactone communicates a message of joy to your cat’s brain. Even if your kitty doesn’t turn into a goofball, the calming communication usually goes through. That’s a helpful neural pathway you can work with.

Training with Catnip

Catnip’s effects only last for ten minutes. Then your cat needs a “reset” period of at least thirty minutes. In general, when you’re training your cat, you want to stick to a period of 10-15 minutes. How convenient!

The best catnips for cats make excellent desensitization rewards when you’re working on getting your cat into their carrier. Sprinkle the dried leaves inside and allow your cat to investigate. They’ll learn to associate the carrier with a positive sensation – as opposed to a frightening experience.

If your kiddo’s prone to scratching the furniture, dust their cardboard scratcher or scratching post with catnip. You’ll draw their attention to it. It’s a positive alternative to cat deterrents.

Introductions with Catnip

Moving into a new home is stressful for everyone. Your cat needs to learn new sights, new scents, and new sounds. Adding a sprinkling of catnip where you anticipate they’ll spend most of their time can aid the transition. They’ll get a calming euphoria. You also reassure them that the new home’s safe.

When you bring new cats into the household, catnip can help serve as an icebreaker. You’ll still need to observe proper introduction protocol, but when everyone’s feeling mellow? It makes things easier.

Choosing the Best Catnip

Catnip is catnip, right? It seems like one plant should be the same as another. However, catnip isn’t always grown under the same conditions. You want to protect your cat from potential contaminants. And if you want your kitty to get the most enjoyment from their catnip, you need to consider several variables.

• Organic: As you might expect, organic catnip costs more. However, when you see that official seal, you know your cat will not end up exposed to pesticides, preservatives, or additives. You DON’T want chemicals on the catnip.
• Freshness: Though dried, the best catnips lose potency over time. Within one year, the nepetalactone ceases to have an effect. Check the date on the container.
• Packaging: Oxygen exposure impacts potency. You want a resealable container to prevent your catnip from “wearing out.” If you have to transfer it to a different container, that’s a pain.
• Quantity: Everyone loves buying in bulk to save on cost. However, the best catnips come in smaller amounts. You don’t want to overdo it every day for your kitty – you’ll make them sick. And if you have TOO MUCH, it’ll lose potency.
• Quality: What’s in the container? Some companies fill their containers with leaves AND stems. The stems don’t have as much nepetalactone, and they’re SHARP. You want a catnip with more leaves and flowers.

Growing Your Own Catnip

If you’d rather skip the shopping process, you CAN grow catnip yourself. It’s not difficult. (The difficult part is wrangling the plant once it’s established)

All you need to do is break a leaf to release the oils. Your cat will roll around in kitty bliss. Fresh IS the best!

If you want to dry the leaves, you can hang them upside down. Some people use a fan to decrease the drying time. Your cat should leave them alone unless you happen to damage one of the flowers or leaves – that’s how you release the oils. Store the dried leaves in an air-tight container. (REALLY air-tight!)

The Best Catnips for Cats

Catnip works in many situations – not just for entertainment (for you and your cat). You can keep it on-hand for playtime OR for those small doses when your feline needs some downtime. Always check with your veterinarian on dosing to prevent potential health problems.

If you’re nervous about venturing into using one of the best catnips, take baby steps. Pop one of your cat’s toys into a sealed bag with the catnip and leave it overnight. The toy will absorb the scent. And when you sprinkle catnip into a cardboard scratcher, the dried herb drops between the folds where your cat won’t reach. They’re safe options, but your kitty still enjoys the benefits.