Last updated: 5 August 2026
Catnip works on about two-thirds of cats (68% in the largest controlled study) through an inherited response to a compound called nepetalactone, according to Bol et al. 2017. It is safe for most cats, non-addictive and short-lived, lasting around ten minutes (PetMD). It is best offered a couple of times a week. Kittens usually do not react until around six months of age (Scientific American), and silvervine is the best alternative for cats who ignore catnip.
One thing to be clear about from the start: catnip is enrichment and play, not an anti-anxiety treatment. If what you really want is a calmer cat, that is a different job, and we point you to our pheromone and calming guide and our calm-cat enrichment routine rather than to a bag of dried leaves.
Key takeaways
- Catnip is a smell-driven response to nepetalactone, not a drug, and it is inherited, so not every cat reacts.
- Roughly one in three cats carries no response at all, and that is completely normal (Bol et al. 2017).
- A session lasts about ten minutes, then the cat is briefly unresponsive for roughly one to two hours (PetMD).
- Catnip is non-addictive and not a poisoning hazard, though the ASPCA notes that eating a large amount can cause mild, self-limiting vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Silvervine works for many cats who do not respond to catnip (about 71% of catnip non-responders in one study) and has a higher overall response rate, around 79% versus 68% for catnip (Bol et al. 2017).
- Catnip is enrichment, not a calming aid. For genuine stress, start with environment and pheromones.
Does catnip actually work, and how?
Yes, for many cats. Catnip contains nepetalactone, a volatile compound that binds receptors in the nose and signals the parts of the brain that handle emotion and reward, such as the amygdala and hypothalamus, which produces the familiar rolling, rubbing, licking and head-shaking display (Scientific American). It is a smell-driven response, not a drug, and it fades quickly.
The response is a reaction to the plant’s scent, so most of the action happens when a cat sniffs the leaf. The display itself varies a lot between individuals: the ASPCA notes that catnip leaves some cats sedated and others stimulated. It is often said that smelling excites while eating a little mellows a cat, but the evidence for that specific split is limited, so treat it as a rule of thumb rather than a certainty. Either way it is not harmful, and your cat will usually self-regulate and wander off when the moment passes.
Why doesn’t my cat react to catnip?
Because the response is inherited, and a large share of cats simply did not inherit it. In the largest controlled study, about one in three cats carried no response and felt nothing at all (Bol et al. 2017). Very young kittens also tend not to react, and older cats often show a milder response. None of this signals a problem.
If your cat ignores catnip, there is nothing wrong with them and nothing to fix. It is genetics, in the same way that some people cannot smell certain flowers. A very young kitten may simply be too young, and the response can appear later, so it is worth trying again after six months. And if catnip never lands, that is exactly what silvervine and the other alternatives further down this guide are for.
Is catnip safe for cats and kittens?
For most cats, yes. Catnip is non-addictive and is not a poisoning hazard. The main thing to watch is that a cat who eats a large amount of fresh or dried leaf can get mild, short-lived stomach upset such as vomiting or loose stool, which usually settles on its own (ASPCA). Very young kittens are simply unaffected rather than at risk.
For a first exposure, offer a small pinch and watch how your cat responds before giving more. There is no strong evidence that catnip is a problem in pregnancy, but if you are ever unsure about anything you are giving a pregnant cat, it is reasonable to check with your vet first. Most cats smell catnip, enjoy a few minutes, and move on with no ill effects at all. The realistic risk is a messy carpet, not a poisoning.
What are catnip’s effects and how long do they last?
A session is short. Most cats stay engaged for about ten minutes, then lose interest and enter a refractory period of roughly one to two hours, during which more catnip does very little (PetMD). During the active phase you may see rolling, rubbing, licking, drooling, zoomies, or a dreamy, mellow calm, depending on the cat.
The display itself varies a lot between cats, and that is normal. Some cats get playful and energetic, some get affectionate, and some go quiet and relaxed. As a rough rule of thumb, smelling catnip is often linked with the playful, stimulated end and eating a little with the calmer end, though the evidence for that split is limited and much of the variation simply comes down to the individual cat. Because of the refractory period, offering catnip constantly does not extend the fun, it just wastes it.
How do I use catnip safely (dried, spray, fresh, toys)?
Keep it simple and occasional. Start with a small pinch of good-quality dried catnip on a mat, a scratcher, or a toy, and let your cat come to it rather than rubbing it on their face. Offer it only a couple of times a week, because giving it too often can dull the response as cats build a mild tolerance (PetMD). Supervise the first session so you know how your cat reacts.
The common forms each suit a different moment. Dried leaf is the classic, most potent option for a quick enrichment session. Sprays are weaker but handy for tempting a cat toward a new scratcher or carrier. Fresh or growing catnip is a nice living-plant option, though potency varies. Whatever the form, store dried catnip in an airtight container away from heat and light, because nepetalactone is a volatile oil that fades with exposure to air, heat and light, so old catnip loses its punch. If your cat tends to gulp the leaf rather than sniff it, favour sealed toys over loose piles.
What can I try if catnip doesn’t work? (silvervine and other alternatives)
Try silvervine first. In the research, silvervine drew a response from about 79% of cats overall, higher than catnip’s 68%, and from roughly 71% of the cats who did not respond to catnip (Bol et al. 2017). Beyond silvervine, some cats respond to valerian root, Tatarian honeysuckle wood, or cat thyme. The same rule applies: offer any of them only a few times a week.
These plants work through their own aromatic compounds, and cats vary in which ones they respond to, so a cat who shrugs at catnip may still love one of the others. The table below compares the main options. The response-rate figures come mainly from Bol et al. 2017 and are approximate, not guarantees for any individual cat.
| Plant | Active compound(s) | Approx response rate | Common form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catnip (Nepeta cataria) | Nepetalactone | About two-thirds of cats (68%) | Dried leaf, spray, fresh plant | The classic. Short response, inherited, non-responders are common. |
| Silvervine (Actinidia polygama) | Actinidine, nepetalactol and related iridoids | About 79%; higher than catnip and works in many catnip non-responders | Dried fruit/gall powder, sticks | Best first alternative for a cat who ignores catnip. |
| Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) | Actinidine | About 47% of cats | Dried root, stuffed toys | Strong smell; some cats become energetic. |
| Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) | Iridoid compounds (actinidine, iridomyrmecin) in the wood | About 53% of cats | Wood pieces, sawdust toys | Use only the wood; parts of honeysuckle plants can be harmful. |
| Cat thyme (Teucrium marum) | Aromatic terpenes | Not measured in the main study; some cats respond | Dried herb, growing plant | Strong, unpleasant smell to many people; effective for some cats. |
Can catnip calm an anxious cat?
Honestly, no, not really. Catnip is enrichment and play stimulation, not an anti-anxiety treatment, and it is not a substitute for addressing what is stressing your cat. Some cats do go mellow after the initial burst, especially if they eat a little, but that short after-effect is not the same as treating genuine anxiety, and it will not fix an underlying stressor.
If your cat is showing real signs of stress, the useful work is in the environment: safe hiding spots, predictable routines, resources spread around the home, and calming pheromones where appropriate. Start with our guide on whether your cat is stressed to read the signs, then look at pheromone diffusers and calming aids for the “will this calm my cat” question. Catnip can absolutely be part of a happy, enriched life, but as play, not as therapy.
Is catnip worth trying for your cat right now?
-
Is your cat a kitten under about six months?
- YES
- Not yet. Most kittens do not react until around six months, so revisit after then.
- NO
- Move on to the next question.
-
Have you already offered dried catnip two or three times with no reaction at all?
- YES
- Your cat is probably a non-responder, which is normal. Try silvervine, which works for many cats who ignore catnip.
- NO
- Move on to the next question.
-
Does your cat react, but you are hoping for calm rather than chaos?
- YES
- Catnip is enrichment and play, not a calming aid. For genuine stress, see the pheromone and stress guides.
- NO
- Catnip is worth trying. Offer a small pinch of dried leaf a couple of times a week and watch.
-
Has your cat eaten a lot of catnip and now seems unwell?
- UNWELL
- Contact a vet now.
Safe catnip use checklist
- Start with a small pinch of dried catnip, not a large pile.
- Offer it for smelling and play; never force-feed it.
- Limit sessions to about two or three times a week to avoid dulling the response.
- Supervise the first session so you learn how your cat reacts.
- Store dried catnip in an airtight container, away from heat and light.
- Skip catnip for very young kittens; try again after about six months.
- If your cat eats a lot and seems unwell, stop, watch closely, and contact a vet if signs persist.
Frequently asked questions
Can kittens have catnip?
You can offer it, but do not expect a reaction. Kittens usually do not respond to catnip until around six months of age (Scientific American), and the response often appears later. Catnip is not harmful to kittens; they are simply unaffected. Try again after six months.
Is catnip a drug, and is it addictive?
No. Catnip is not a drug and is not addictive for cats; they do not build an opioid-style dependence or suffer withdrawal, though frequent use builds a mild tolerance (PetMD). It is a natural response to the plant’s scent that fades within minutes.
How often is too often?
A couple of times a week is a good rhythm. Giving catnip too frequently leads to a mild tolerance, where the response fades because the cat gets used to it (PetMD). Spacing sessions out keeps the reaction fresh and makes each session more rewarding.
Can cats overdose on catnip?
Not in the poisoning sense. Catnip is not a poisoning hazard, and cats generally self-regulate and walk away when they have had enough. Eating a large amount can cause mild, short-lived vomiting or diarrhoea, which usually settles on its own (ASPCA). If your cat seems genuinely unwell, contact your vet.
Does catnip expire?
It loses potency rather than becoming unsafe. The active oils in catnip are volatile and fade with exposure to air, heat and light, so old or poorly stored catnip may get little reaction. Store it airtight and out of the light, and replace it if it stops working.
Is silvervine safer than catnip?
Both are widely regarded as safe for cats, and neither is a poisoning hazard. Silvervine is not “safer” so much as more effective for a wider range of cats, since it draws a response from about 71% of the cats who ignore catnip (Bol et al. 2017). As with catnip, offer it a few times a week and watch that your cat is not eating large amounts.
Do big cats respond to catnip?
Many do. The catnip response is not limited to house cats, and several larger wild cat species show it too, though the picture varies by species: bobcats have responded to both catnip and silvervine, while most tigers in testing did not (Bol et al. 2017). It is the same inherited, scent-driven reaction, just in a bigger cat.
Sources
- Bol S, et al. (2017). Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian and catnip. BMC Veterinary Research 13:70. PMC5356310
- Uenoyama R, et al. (2021). The characteristic response of domestic cats to plant iridoids. Science Advances. DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abd9135
- ASPCA. Catnip (Nepeta cataria).
- PetMD. Does Catnip Make Cats High?
- Scientific American. How Does Catnip Work Its Magic on Cats?
This is general information, not veterinary advice. If you see urgent signs, contact a vet now.