Does Catnip Help a Cat in Heat? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

There are a lot of old wives' tales out there about how to deal with a cat in heat. One of the most traditional solutions is giving catnip. But does it actually work? Catnip is a member of the mint family and contains a compound that causes cats to react when they smell it. When scented, it can cause some cats to seem “stoned”, slowing them down while other cats can become excited, playful, and even aggressive when exposed to catnip.

So, does this mean that catnip will help a cat in heat? Maybe. If your goal is to get your cat distracted for a short period of time, then catnip may be a great option, depending on the cat. However, it’s important to remember that catnip does not seem to have the same effect on all cats or even the safe effect. Let’s look at the factors affecting your kitty, their estrus, and the impacts of catnip in more detail.

What Is Catnip and How Does It Calm Cats?

Catnip is a common herb from the mint family and is easy to grow in North America. Nepeta Cataria—the scientific term for catnip—has light-green foliage with lavender-colored flowers. Catnip, as the name suggests, has a strong effect on many cats causing them on initial contact to sniff, lick, and chew it, and as the experience goes on they may rub their faces or body on the catnip before culminating in body rolling.

It is the essential oil, nepetalactone, found in the plant’s leaves that affect cats. It was hypothesized that nepetalactone may mimic cat sex hormones, so cats react once they smell the oil. However, this is not currently clear. The scent may make a cat feel relaxed or excited, but in general, most react happily and seem to want more of it. The effect lasts less than 30 minutes, after which the cat’s body is overloaded and can no longer respond to the nepetalactone. During this period cats are distracted, and this is why catnip may be used to calm cats during their heat cycle.

However, only about two-thirds of cats are thought to respond to catnip, and whether a cat responds to catnip or not seems to be mediated by their personality and their genetic make up. Incidentally, catnip not only affects domestic cats but has also been observed to affect wild felines and big cats as well!

Is Catnip a Sedative or a Stimulant?

If your cat is in heat, chances are you are far more interested in catnip’s potential tranquilizing properties. Catnip typically induces a characteristic behavioral response which consists of licking and chewing the plant, face and head rubbing against it, vocalizing, and rolling over on the ground. The compound binds to receptors in the brain that are responsible for transmitting signals associated with pleasure and relaxation. This is the reaction that pet parents most likely want to elicit if their kitty is in heat.

According to some experts, the response to catnip can be classified into active and passive. This means that some cats will not display the typical reaction and may show reduced movement or reduced vocalization when exposed to nepetalactone. In some anecdotal reports, nepetalactone has been said to result in increased aggressive behaviors, so if you’ve ever noticed your cat acting strangely after sniffing a certain plant, there's a chance that the plant contains nepetalactone.

When Do Cats Go in Heat?

The first time a cat goes into a heat cycle is usually when they have reached sexual maturity at around 5 to 6 months of age, although it may happen a little earlier or a little later. Once they have reached sexual maturity, external factors such as the length of the day and the temperature will determine the breeding season. In North America, the breeding season for cats can begin in early spring and may last through to late autumn, but is most common during the months with lengthening days and warming weather.

During the season when cats mate your cat will go through repeated heat, or estrus, cycles. Each cat is different but generally, a cycle lasts around 3 weeks, although can vary between 1–6 weeks in length.

How to Tell if a Cat Is in Heat

When a cat enters a heat cycle their behavior changes. They are programmed to want to find a male mate and get pregnant. They start to become more affectionate and will seek out physical contact. As the heat cycle builds this affection can even become demanding; they constantly rub themselves against people or furniture, always wanting attention. Or they may roll around on the floor a lot. When you stroke their back or spine they will often assume a mating position, raising their rear end into the air and treading with their back legs.

During this period female cats will mark their territory by spraying pheromone and hormone-laced urine on surfaces around the house to signal to other cats that they are in heat. But the biggest tell-tale sign is that female cats become very vocal: they meow a lot trying to signal to any male cats in the vicinity that they are available and in heat. They may also push their hindquarters into the air and tread the ground with their back legs. These behavior changes often become annoying to owners, and sometimes owners think their cat has some unusual illness.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Using Catnip for Cats in Heat?

Generally speaking, no, but it depends. If the cat responds badly or unpredictably to the catnip, it could make the situation worse. When a cat is in heat, they are looking for a mate and their behavior is directed toward this aim. If the catnip further triggers their aggression, it can make the cat more combative and even lead to fighting between cats or other pets in the household. Your cat may even lash out at you!

It is important to only use a small amount of catnip and to keep an eye on your cat while the catnip takes effect, and while they are interacting with other cats, pets, or members of your household.

If you’re unsure of giving your cat catnip, contact a vet for a recommendation.

How to Stop a Cat From Getting Pregnant

To stop a female cat from getting pregnant you have to stop her from interacting with all male cats. While your cat is in heat any tom cats that smell or hear her will try very hard to get to her. If you fail to keep them apart then there is a good chance she’ll get pregnant. So physical separation is your only option: keep all the doors and windows closed to the outside, and don’t forget to lock the cat flap as well.

If you have a tom cat in the house you are in an almost impossible situation in which you either have to keep your cats separated for large parts of the year or find a temporary home for your tom cat to get him out of the house. The most effective and long-term solution is to either get your female spayed or your tom neutered.

Conclusion

Catnip can distract most cats in heat for a short while and help to calm them down. However, it is important to note that not all cats will react to catnip in the same way. Some may become more active, while others may become more relaxed. If you are unsure of how your cat will react, try giving a small amount of catnip when they are not in heat before trying to use it to calm them during their estrus cycle.

Featured Image Credit: Doug McLean, Shutterstock