Catnip and Cats: What the Sources Say

Q: Does catnip make cats sleepy?

The ASPCA page says catnip makes some cats sedated and others stimulated. It does not say which cats will react which way.

Q: Can catnip help a cat use a scratching post?

Cornell says a cat can be enticed with treats or catnip placed on or around the post. The ASPCA scratching guide suggests sprinkling catnip on the scratchers. Neither gives an amount or a duration.

Q: Which catnip product should I buy?

The example listing in this post is one option, not a recommendation. The sources we opened do not compare catnip products, and the listing does not state an amount or a safe dose.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details

At a glance: what the sources say about catnip

Question	What the source says	Source
Toxicity classification	Listed as “Toxic to Cats”; toxic principle is Nepetalactone	ASPCA Toxic and Non-toxic Plants page
Clinical signs	Can cause vomiting and diarrhea; sedates some cats, stimulates others	ASPCA
Dose that causes signs	Not stated	ASPCA (gap)
Use on scratchers	Sprinkling catnip on scratchers encourages use	ASPCA Scratching Behavior guide
Use for destructive chewing	Catnip placed on/around a post, or hanging catnip toys, can divert a cat that chews objects	Cornell Destructive Behavior guide
How much to use / how long scent lasts	Not stated	Cornell (gap)
Where sources differ	ASPCA plant page treats catnip as a toxic substance with variable effects; behavior guides treat it as a lure — sources do not settle whether catnip is “safe”	ASPCA vs. Cornell

The person typing “catnip and cats” wants to know what catnip does to a cat and whether it is a safe thing to give. The sources we opened give two different pictures. The ASPCA’s plant page classifies catnip as “Toxic to Cats” and describes vomiting, diarrhea and mixed effects on behavior. Cornell and the ASPCA’s scratching guide describe catnip as a way to draw a cat to a scratcher or a toy. None of the sources we opened gives an amount or a schedule, and none settles whether catnip is right for your cat. This guide reports what each source says and leaves the decision to your vet.

Quick answer

The ASPCA catnip page says “Toxicity: Toxic to Cats” and gives the toxic principle as nepetalactone.
The same page says “Many cats love catnip, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It makes some cats sedated and others stimulated.”
The ASPCA’s scratching guide suggests “sprinkling catnip on the scratchers” to encourage a cat to use them.
Cornell suggests placing “treats or catnip … on or around the post” to entice a cat, and lists hanging catnip toys among ways to occupy a cat that chews objects.
None of the sources we opened gives an amount, a frequency or a safe dose. Ask your vet about catnip for your cat.

What the ASPCA catnip page says

The ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-toxic Plants page for catnip, opened on 2026-10-19, lists the fields “Toxicity: Toxic to Cats” and “Toxic Principles: Nepetalactone.” Under clinical signs it says: “Many cats love catnip, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It makes some cats sedated and others stimulated.”

The page also tells readers to call the ASPCA Poison Control line or a veterinarian as soon as possible if a cat may have eaten a potentially toxic substance.

The page text we read does not describe how the toxicity classification was reached, and it does not say how much catnip causes those signs. This post does not fill in either gap.

What Cornell and the ASPCA scratching guide say about using catnip

The ASPCA’s Scratching Behavior in Cats guide says to encourage a cat to use its scratchers by “running a wand toy over the scratchers during interactive play time or sprinkling catnip on the scratchers.” The same guide describes making a surface “unavailable or unattractive” to discourage scratching where it is not wanted.

Cornell’s Destructive Behavior guide says: “You can also entice your cat with treats or catnip placed on or around the post.” The same page says a scratching post “should be sturdy enough that it does not topple over during use.” Cornell also lists “hanging catnip toys” among things that help occupy a cat that habitually chews on inappropriate objects. It says such a cat “may need other diversions.”

These behavior sources do not say how much catnip to use or how long its scent lasts.

Where the sources differ

The ASPCA’s plant page treats catnip as a toxic substance and describes its effects as variable, with some cats sedated and others stimulated. The behavior pages treat catnip as a lure. We do not call catnip safe or harmful, because the sources we opened do not settle that question for your cat. Ask your vet before you use catnip, especially if your cat is a kitten, is older, or has a health condition.

An example catnip toy: what the listing says

The listing below is one example, read on 2026-10-19. Its only stated catnip detail is the ingredient line. Its claims about potency, origin and durability are seller claims.

Title: Yeowww! Catnip Chi-CAT-a Banana Toy for Cats, 7 inches, durable cotton twill, made in the USA, stuffed with organically grown catnip. “Made in the USA” is a seller claim.
Ingredients: “100% premium organic catnip.”
Product dimensions: 7 x 1 x 3 inches; 0.35 ounces.
Material (bullet): durable cotton twill casing.
Brand: Yeowww!. Manufacturer: DuckyWorld Products, Inc. Date first available: June 8, 2004.
Not stated: an amount or safe dose for a cat, how long the catnip stays potent, and whether the toy can be refilled.

View on Amazon

Skip it if you need a stated amount or a refillable toy, because the listing gives neither. Limitation: the ASPCA page we opened classifies catnip as “Toxic to Cats,” and the listing’s effect claims are seller claims, not a safety statement.

How we chose

The criteria were topic and source type. We needed a page about catnip itself, which is the ASPCA plant page, and pages on how cats use catnip in behavior and scratching, which are the ASPCA scratching guide and Cornell’s destructive behavior page. We opened the three pages on 2026-10-19. We excluded blog posts. The toy listing was found with the search “catnip cat toy,” and we opened one result, because its title names a catnip toy and it states its ingredients. We did not use the ASPCA cat-care index page for any claim, because it is an index. Where a source gave a point of fact, we quoted the sentence as written.

What we could not verify

The sources we opened do not give an amount of catnip, a schedule for offering it, or a safe dose for any cat.
The ASPCA plant page does not say how the toxicity classification was reached, and the page text we read does not give dose-response figures.
The sources do not say how long catnip stays effective on a scratcher or a toy.
The sources we opened do not say whether catnip effects differ by age, size or health. They do not cover kittens separately.
The sources we opened do not compare catnip products, forms or strengths. The toy listing is one example, not a comparison.

Checklist before you use catnip

Ask your vet whether catnip is appropriate for your cat, especially if your cat is a kitten, is older, or has a health condition.
Start with a small amount on a surface your cat already uses. The ASPCA page says effects vary, with some cats sedated and others stimulated, so watch what your cat does.
Place catnip on a sturdy scratcher. Cornell says a scratching post “should be sturdy enough that it does not topple over during use.”

Mistakes to avoid

Deciding catnip is safe or harmful from one page. The sources we opened disagree in tone and purpose.
Assuming every cat reacts the same way. The ASPCA says “some cats” become sedated and “others” stimulated.
Giving catnip to a cat that is eating it in large amounts. The ASPCA page lists vomiting and diarrhea, so call your vet if you see either.
Using catnip to replace a sturdy scratcher. Cornell’s point is that the post must stay upright during use.
Reading a lure as a treatment. Cornell presents catnip as a way to entice a cat, not as a fix for a behavior problem.

FAQ

Is catnip safe for cats?

The sources we opened do not settle this. The ASPCA plant page classifies catnip as “Toxic to Cats” and describes vomiting and diarrhea as possible effects. Ask your vet about your cat.

Does catnip make cats sleepy?

The ASPCA page says catnip “makes some cats sedated and others stimulated.” It does not say which cats will react which way.

Can catnip help a cat use a scratching post?

Cornell says a cat can be enticed with “treats or catnip placed on or around the post.” The ASPCA scratching guide suggests “sprinkling catnip on the scratchers.” Neither gives an amount or a duration.

Does catnip stop a cat from chewing objects?

The sources do not say so. Cornell lists hanging catnip toys among ways to occupy a cat that chews on objects, and says such a cat “may need other diversions.” That is a suggestion for occupying the cat, not a stated fix.

How much catnip should I give?

None of the sources we opened gives an amount. Ask your vet.

Which catnip product should I buy?

The example listing above is one option, not a recommendation. The sources we opened do not compare catnip products, and the listing does not state an amount or a safe dose.

Related guides on this site

For play, see interactive cat toys for indoor cats. For a scratcher that stays upright, read the scratching post guide for heavy scratchers. A cat that wants height may suit a cat tree for small apartments or a cat window perch. For the daily routine around the cat, see automatic cat feeders, cat water fountains, self-cleaning cat litter boxes, litter boxes for small apartments, and the Litter-Robot 4 review.

Bottom line

The ASPCA classifies catnip as toxic to cats and says it affects cats in different ways, while Cornell and the ASPCA scratching guide use it to draw a cat to a scratcher or toy. Both sides are in the sources, and neither gives an amount. Ask your vet before you rely on catnip, and watch how your cat responds.

Sources

ASPCA, Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Catnip: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/catnip (opened 2026-10-19). Cited for the toxicity classification, the toxic principle, and the clinical-sign statement.
ASPCA, Scratching Behavior in Cats: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/scratching-behavior-cats (opened 2026-10-19). Cited for the statement about sprinkling catnip on scratchers and the play suggestion.
Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior: https://vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-destructive-behavior (opened 2026-10-19). Cited for the statements on placing catnip near the post, sturdy posts and catnip toys.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This page is for information only. Check the current price on Amazon. Read our affiliate disclosure.