Yes, dogs can eat catnip. Catnip is an herb that comprises vitamins C and E, flavonoids, tannins, magnesium, and essential oils. Catnip is often used to relieve nervousness and insomnia in dogs and other animals. For example, catnip tea is frequently used to relax dogs.
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What is Catnip?
Catnip also known as catswort, catwort, and catmint belongs to the mint family and is a species of the genus Nepeta in the Lamiaceae family. The scientific name for catnip is Nepeta catariais. Catnip is native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China. The chemical ‘nepetalactone’, which coats catnip’s roots, leaves, and seed pods are the ‘active ingredient’ in cat delirium.
Is Catnip Safe for Dogs?
Catnip is safe for your dogs. However, dogs will not exhibit the same ecstatic response to eating catnip as cats or dogs. Catnip gives cats a buzz, but dogs don’t experience that.
If you have a catnip plant and a dog, you may sometimes see your dogs attracted to the catnip plants in your yard. Should you allow your dog near catnip? Giving your dogs access to catnip plants is completely fine. Catnip is a mint-family herbaceous plant that can make your pet feel sleepy. Therefore your dogs may feel a little dizzy after sniffing the leaves but there are no long-term consequences from such behavior.
Is Catnip Good for Dogs?
Catnip contains Magnesium, vitamins C and E, tannins, flavonoids, and other minerals. It is also high in essential oils. These will go a long way toward keeping your dog’s digestive system healthy. Additionally, these minerals and nutrients can assist with the relief of some gastrointestinal distress.
Example uses of Catnip include:
Calming Effect: Use catnip on anxious dogs all of the time, whether it’s from being apart from their owner, going to the doctor, having a hard time getting in the ambulance, or being overly sensitive during noisy holidays. Catnip, which has a slight sedative effect on them, can relax in all of these cases. If your dog has insomnia or an odd sleeping schedule, catnip will help you solve the dilemma and keep things in check. Of course, only if it is applied correctly.
Antiseptic Aid: Since catnip has antibacterial and soothing qualities, it can be used as a natural antiseptic. Thymol is used in catnip, making it helpful in treating external wounds. Cuts and injuries should be treated with fresh catnip or catnip oil. Besides, using catnip oil to repel mosquitoes and other insects that might bite dogs is a good idea.
Digestive Aid: Catnip helps to alleviate pain and intestinal distress. Catnip can help to avoid gas production and cramping, resulting in fewer dog farts. Fresh catnip, catnip oil, or catnip tea, in small doses, can relax a sick dog’s stomach and prevent vomiting and diarrhea. Catnip will aid your dog with digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation by calming the bowel walls, decreasing discomfort, and enhancing digestion.
Maintains Urinary and Kidneys in the Tract: Catnip will help your dog get good urination to keep kidneys healthy. It helps your dog clean out contaminants, debris, and bacteria and keeps them away from urinary tract infections since it has a slight diuretic effect. It can also avoid the formation of kidney stones and urinary tract blockages. If your dog doesn’t like catnip and has urinary tract issues, try mixing it with cranberry powder.
Remember that giving catnip to your dog can cause them to pee more, suggesting they’ll need to drink more water to avoid dehydration.
Is Catnip Bad for Dogs?
While catnip is consuming catnip can be beneficial, giving too much to your dog may cause stomach problems such as vomiting and respiratory depression. It may even sedate and make the dog sedentary, so use caution while administering the nip!
Catnip should not be fed to pregnant dogs. It may stimulate the uterus, causing premature labor or birth complications.
How Much Catnip Can Dogs Have?
Introduce catnip to the dog in small doses at first. For a small to medium-sized dog, start with 1/8 teaspoon in their food or drink. If your pet is a part of a giant breed, you should give it 1/4 teaspoon per day. Before using catnip on a dog on drugs or has a medical condition, consult your veterinarian.
How to Serve Catnips to Dogs?
To begin, try sprinkling 1/8 to 1/12 of a teaspoon of dried catnip on your dog’s food. If this quantity of catnip does not succeed in calming your dog, consider adding a few new catnip leaves to your dog’s drinking water. Catnip should not be added to your dog’s daily diet.
Another way to serve catnip is to add catnip toys specifically for dogs. Catnip toys are not appropriate for most other pets. These toys usually have small bells and fillings that are easy for dogs to digest and obstruct their respiratory and digestive systems. If you’re having trouble identifying one, try rubbing or filling one of your dog’s current toys with catnip to see if it helps.
Final Thoughts
Catnip can help calm your dog and support his or her gastrointestinal health. However, do not use catnip for your dog without first contacting your veterinarian. Make sure he approves the use of catnip and follows the recommended dosage, as catnip overdose can be dangerous.
Incredibly, catnip can be found in different ways and shapes, such as fresh catnip, dried catnip, and catnip oil. If you’re having trouble getting your dog to take catnip with their diet, consider infusing water with fresh leaves or giving them catnip dog toys to play with.
