Can I Put Catnip in My Cat’s Food? Vet-Reviewed Potential Pros & Cons

People are always looking for ways to improve their cat's life and diet, and one thing that often gets paired with cats is catnip. But whether you're looking at putting catnip in their food for health purposes or just want to get them interested in it, is it a good idea?

We break it all down for you here, but most of the time, there's nothing wrong with putting a small amount of catnip into your cat’s food.

Can I Put Catnip in My Cat's Food?

Absolutely! Not only can you put catnip in your cat's food, but it's also relatively good for them. There is no exact dosage as it depends on each cat, but moderation is key. It’s best to start with a small sprinkle and observe, and you can gradually increase it as needed. However, it’s important to keep in mind that catnip may not be ideal for all cats. Check out the following perks and drawbacks.

The 3 Possible Perks of Catnip

There's a reason you can find catnip so prominently in pet sections; for the most part, it's good for cats! Here are the perks of giving your cat catnip, with two benefits making it a great choice to put into their food!

1. Catnip May Calm Your Cat

This is one of the most well-known benefits of catnip. While the primary effects of catnip typically only last about 10 minutes, your cat might be calmer after ingesting catnip.

2. It May Aid Digestion

While most owners know catnip helps calm cats, many don't realize it can help their digestion. This makes it a great choice to add to their dinner. Not only will they get a great meal, but they'll also get something that helps them process all their food!

3. It May Help Prevent Diarrhea

This isn't a well-known effect of catnip, but in small amounts, catnip can act as an anti-diarrhetic. This makes it great to mix into your cat's food if they have a sensitive stomach. Just ensure that you're adding the right amount for your cat; if you add too much, it can cause diarrhea.

The 3 Potential Drawbacks of Catnip

While giving your cat catnip is usually perfectly safe and effective, there are a few drawbacks. These are usually rare unless you give your cat too much catnip.

1. It Can Make Cats Aggressive

While most cats mellow out after consuming catnip, that's not the case for every cat. Some cats, especially males, can become hostile and aggressive.

Some attribute this to a potential mating reaction, but it depends on the cat. If your cat gets aggressive after you give them catnip, it's best to cut it out of their diet entirely.

2. There’s a Risk of Vomiting or Diarrhea

While a bit of catnip can help with digestion and help prevent diarrhea, too much can have the opposite effect. That's why it's important to portion out catnip when giving it to your cat and not give them too much.

Moreover, while most cats are fine with catnip, your cat can have a reaction if they don't process it well.

3. It Can Cause Excessive Dizziness or Sedation

Sedation is a well-known side effect of catnip, and while a bit of dizziness isn't a problem, some cats get far too dizzy. If that's the case for your cat, we recommend cutting back the amount of catnip that you give them.

Final Thoughts

When you're thinking about adding catnip to your cat's food, start slow and small. Don't put a large amount in there; just add enough to see if it can help with their diet. If you're noticing positive benefits and no adverse side effects, you can increase the quantity to the normal dosage, but don't overdo it because problems can occur!

Featured Image Credit: Doug McLean, Shutterstock