When it’s time to enjoy themselves and unwind, cats will turn to catnip. They love to roll around in it, eat it, and bury their adorable faces in it. Not only that, but it’s a treat for the owners as well: watching your cat go silly off of catnip spray or dried catnip is a treat in and of itself.
Of course, you’ll want to get the best, safest option for your precious kittens. To that end, we’ve done some digging and found the leading catnips on the market. These products are vetted for excellent value, quality, and safety. Read on to learn more.
Best Catnips to Consider
In finding the right catnip, you’ll want to consider a few important aspects. First of all, how much does your cat love their catnip? Do they like to consume it often? Or is it a rare treat to indulge in? The amount of cats you have also plays a part, especially if they all like catnip. Depending on these factors, you’ll want to make sure you have enough catnip for everyone to enjoy.
You’ll also want to make sure the catnip is natural and safe. We recommend going for organic brands that can ensure an all-natural product. Some catnips are a blend of catnip and other plants. Spidervine is a commonly used one that cats love. Others might include lavender or valerian, for example.
Another component you should consider is the packaging. Some catnips come in bags with zippers, however, not all of them do. We definitely suggest at least going for a zippered bag. The tighter the air seal on the catnip, the longer it’ll stay fresh. The best option is catnip in a glass mason jar with a rubber seal. Other forms include a shaker canister and catnip balls. Most catnip comes in loose leaves, although some might come in pellets or pre-ground. You can also find catnip toys, which come already infused with the good stuff.
SmartyKat Catnip for Cats & Kittens
We love to treat our cat and you probably do as well. Now you can give them their favorite herb with a quick shake. The SmartyKat catnip shaker dispenses the perfect amount of catnip so you don’t waste any. And it’s good not to waste this because it’s high-quality catnip — no fillers or preservatives or any other chemicals, just the leaf.
As for the feline opinion on this nip? It earns an easy cat-certified stamp of approval. They love to eat it, roll around it, and generally go gaga for this herb. We like that it comes in a hard container as well, so it’s always easy to access, dispense, and store when done.
Pros:
- Smells fresh
- Stays airtight
- Safely sourced
Cons:
- Not a huge volume
- Might have some stems
From the Field All Natural Cat Nip
Do you have lots of cats or a few cats that go through a lot of catnip? Then this is the bag for you. From the Field’s all-natural catnip comes in a luxuriously large 10-ounce bag. At this price, it’s a great value for loose-leaf catnip that’s of the best quality. Naturally grown in the state of Washington, this catnip was made with love because your pets deserve only the finest. Of course, if you don’t need so much catnip, it comes in other sizes as well. We like the smaller metal canister as it provides easy access while keeping the herbs super fresh.
Pros:
- Pre-ground
- Great for stuffing toys
- Double-zipper keeps it fresh
- No stems or stalks
Cons:
- Can get tough to zip shut
- A bit on the weak side
- More cumbersome to store
From The Field Ultimate Blend Silver Vine
Sure, you love to give our cats their favorite herb. But it can get really messy with loose-leaf catnip all over the floor, so instead of that, you might want to try these pellets. They use a rich blend of regular catnip combined with silver vine for that extra-spicy goodness. Cats love to chomp on these pellets, but instead of plant matter all over your floor, it stays relatively contained.
Of course, you can easily grind these up in something like a coffee grinder. Or perhaps you’ll want to stuff in their favorite toy. However you provide it, this catnip is a great way to keep your cats active and happy.
Pros:
- Can be frozen for longevity
- Less mess and easy to clean
- Keeps well for long periods
Cons:
- Not very aromatic
- Not the freshest catnip
Meowijuana Catnip Pawty Mix
This adorable brand of catnip is sure to turn some heads. No, it’s not that famous herb that humans use, but rather a special blend of catnip, lavender, and valerian root. Cats go crazy for this blend, rubbing their faces and rolling around in it gleefully. And for us humans, it’s pleasantly aromatic.
One of the best features of this particular brand is that it uses a glass jar for storage. With its airtight seal, this container will keep your catnip as fresh as can be, for much longer than a ziploc bag — which is great because this catnip is fully organic and without additives or preservatives. Let your cats unwind with only the finest catnip.
Pros:
- Great storage solution
- Multiple styles
- Fun to show friends
Cons:
- Some cats may have allergies to the other added herbs
- Not as strong as pure catnip
Petlinks Pure Bliss Organic Catnip
Are you tired of catnip all over the floor? Then check out these catnip balls. Simply attach them to a wall and your cat can enjoy their catnip fix in a safe, mess-free manner. Position it at just the right height so they can rub their faces against it — cats love to do this and will appreciate a catnip ball right at their level.
Of course, you’ll want to restrict their access sometimes. That’s why these catnip balls come with a protective casing that locks in place. This prevents your cats from overindulging. Let them have their fun but on your terms.
Pros:
- Keeps your floors clean
- Easily attaches almost anywhere
- Lasts a long time
Cons:
- Not as fresh as loose catnip
- Might leave some adhesive residue
Frequently asked Questions
Why do cats love catnip?
Not all cats react similarly to catnip, and we’re still unsure exactly how it makes them feel. Some cats become super hyper, while others become lethargic and sloth-like. The plant activates the opioid response system, so they get a pleasurable sort of high from eating or smelling catnip. This “high” doesn’t affect their senses or motor skills but seems to just make them more content.
You may wonder why cats evolved to enjoy catnip. One theory is that the oils and chemicals in the plant help to repel insects. Scientists tested this by extracting a chemical compound similar to the active ingredient in catnip. They found that cats exposed to this chemical got fewer mosquito bites than those that didn’t.
Can cats have catnip every day?
Some cats go absolutely crazy for catnip and would have it all the time if they could. And while catnip isn’t inherently unsafe, it’s probably best not to give it to your cat all the time. At most we’d recommend every other day, otherwise, a few times a week is the best balance.
With catnip, cats will eventually develop a tolerance for it. If they do it every day they’ll become habituated to using it but it won’t affect them as much. Make sure you’re not giving them too much at once. While overall harmless, it can make cats nauseous if they consume too much nip. Just a spritz or two on their mouse toy or cat wand toy is plenty.
What kind of plant is catnip?
Catnip is a type of mint plant known as “Nepeta cataria” by its scientific name. It also goes by field balm, catmint, or catwort. This plant smells minty when crushed. The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone. This is what binds to the cat’s receptors in their brain, activating their emotional and motor responses. It only affects cats for about 10 to 15 minutes.
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