October 20, 2026, 4:20 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Catnip exerts an almost magical attraction on many cats. Anyone who has offered the herb to their feline friend knows the often surprising reaction: The animals roll in it, rub their heads against it, or appear downright intoxicated for a short time. This can cause some owners to feel uncertain. Can catnip harm health or even be addictive? PETBOOK explains why the herb has such a special effect on cats and what pet owners should know about it.
Overview
What is Catnip?
Catnip is also known as catmint or catwort. Some also call it catnip (from English). Botanically, it belongs to the mint family. The intensely pungent aroma is reminiscent of a mix of mint and lemon.
Many pet owners find the scent rather unpleasant or overpowering when they rub the leaves between their fingers. Our cats, however, have a different opinion. While catnip gives some a unique sense of euphoria, about a third of cats are not interested at all.
Catnip Products
Many products available in pet stores or drugstores contain catnip. Either small stuffed animals like plush mice or pillows are filled with the dried cat herb, or it is offered as a spray and powder. Great effect: The products can promote playfulness or well-being. Spraying a scratching post with catnip, for example, can prevent cats from attacking the sofa with their claws.
Catnip as a Supplement
If you have a particularly nervous or skittish cat, you can get supplements with catnip from the vet. These can be given to the animal preventively to reduce stress and nervousness.
Catnip as a Helper in Need
Particularly anxious cats can be additionally calmed with the herb when a vet appointment, car ride, or move is imminent. Not least, the herb can be grown at home. Despite its intoxicating effect, it is completely legal.
Does Catnip Have Harmful Effects?
Due to the “change in demeanor” that catmint triggers in most cats, many pet owners fear that the drug-like herb could harm their pet’s health. However, when used properly and in appropriate doses, there are no poisoning symptoms or other health risks to worry about.
Animals that become addicted through “sniffing” are relatively unknown. Nevertheless, catnip can trigger opioid-like, psychoactive effects. Therefore, it should not be offered for a “permanent high.”
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What Effects Does Catnip Have?
While some cats ignore the herb and seem to experience neither positive nor negative effects, most enter a kind of trance or high–as if the beloved pet had taken something forbidden to indulge in a seductive “high.”
The effect of catnip ranges from intense relaxation to euphoria. The intensity of the reaction also varies from animal to animal. Regardless of whether catmint is activating or sedating, the well-being benefits in any case.
Typically, the catnip or the pure herb is first licked and sometimes tasted. Subsequently, cats typically rub against the herb or roll in it.
Duration and Intensity of the “Cat High”
The high lasts only a few minutes for most cats, while for others it can last up to half an hour. How long the uplifting effect lasts certainly also depends on the dose.
Tendentially, middle-aged cats seem to be particularly receptive to catnip compared to young and old animals.
Benefit of Occasional “Highs”
Catnip can be used as a welcome change to specifically motivate the cat to play. Especially overweight or obese cats, who prefer to sleep all day, get a good workout thanks to the cat herb. Catnip balls are particularly suitable for the intoxicating “workout.”
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Which Ingredients Cause the “High”?
The active ingredient in catnip, nepetalactone, is a messenger substance that belongs to the category of secondary plant compounds. As an intensely effective pheromone, nepetalactone triggers an opioid-like effect. This explains the activating to sedating, psychoactive effects on the animal.
On a scientific level, it is debated whether the scent of catnip resembles the urine of a cat in heat. This thesis can be supported, as tomcats, in particular, are enthusiastic about the cat herb: Similar to mating, the reaction alternates between affectionate cuddling and ecstatic passion.
The Effect of Nepetalactone
- calming & relaxing
- sedating
- activating
- euphoric
- ecstatic
Another ingredient called actinidine supports the bliss that emanates from catnip. This alkaloid also has an antimicrobial effect and is also found in valerian. This clarifies why some cats are also fond of valerian.
When Does Catnip Become Dangerous?
Even though the ingredients of the cat herb do not have a directly harmful effect on the cat’s health, the reaction can become problematic. If cats go wild after sniffing catnip, behave aggressively, and extend their claws, it can sometimes become dangerous for other pets or the owner.
In the worst case, the relationship between the animal residents suffers if timid animals react disturbed by the temporary aggressiveness of the otherwise beloved companion. So if you have a cat that becomes aggressive due to catnip, it’s better to avoid the cat herb or use it in very small doses.
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If cats have constant access to the “cat drug” in the garden or on the balcony, the intoxicating effect can lead them to eat too many leaves. An extra portion of cat herb is not toxic and certainly not fatal, but irritation of the stomach lining cannot be ruled out. To prevent resulting gastrointestinal issues, catmint should not be available continuously.
Personal Experience: How Catnip Affects My Cats
“While my Kasper revels in his ‘high’ and rolls around relaxed and happy, catnip has an almost euphoric and activating effect on Findus: Fin gets into a playful fighting mood from sniffing and tries to challenge Kasper to a duel with his cheeky paws. However, Kasper usually prefers to lie purring and half-narcotic on my floorboards, so I have to step in as a play partner for Fin.” (Dipl. oec. troph. Beke Enderstein)
- Animalsdigital.de, “Catnip – Use and Effect!” (accessed on 10/20/2026)
- Vet-Magazin.de, “How Mint Became Catnip” (accessed on 10/20/2026)
- drSam.de, “Catnip: What Effect Does It Have on Cats?” (accessed on 10/20/2026)