Is Catnip Essential Oil Safe For Cats?

Learning what catnip does to cats and how catnip essential oil is produced can help you understand the benefits and risks of catnip essential oil for your pet.

You should follow certain precautions when administering catnip essential oil to your cat to avoid irritation, allergic reaction, and other consequences.

Avoid applying essential oils directly on your pet’s skin, and never let your cat ingest them. There are much safer ways to give catnip essential oil to a cat.

Is Nepetalactone Safe for Cats?

The active element in catnip that makes cats go crazy is nepetalactone. Nepetalactone is a terpene, a volatile organic molecule that gives catnip its distinct smell. Terpenes are also present in cannabis, mangoes, pine, and lavender.

This terpene does its magic on cats by mimicking feline mating pheromones. When nepetalactone vapors hit a cat’s nasal membrane and are absorbed into the bloodstream, they travel into the brain.

There, nepetalactone causes a reaction similar to cat mating behavior. Cats begin rubbing their head against furniture, rolling on the ground, grooming, and vocalizing excessively.

Nepetalactone is perfectly safe for cats. It might have adverse effects on some felines, but it’s non-toxic. A cat cannot overdose on catnip because nepetalactone isn’t poisonous, even in large doses.

Cats have an innate knowledge of how much catnip is too much. As soon as nepetalactone kicks in, a cat loses interest in the herb.

What Are Other Ingredients in Catnip Essential Oil?

To understand whether catnip essential oil is safe for cats, we should outline what essential oils are and how they are made. Essential oils are plant extract compounds obtained through distillation via steam, water, or cold pressing.

True essential oils are obtained through physical rather than chemical processes and should not have artificial add-ons. Usually, manufacturers specify which distillation method they use in production.

Catnip oil manufacturers can obtain the extract from catnip leaves, stems, or flowers. Flowering heads are the most potent parts of the plant.

Then, the aromatic chemical compound (in this case, nepetalactone’s extract) is mixed with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is used to dilute essential oils because pure essential oils are too potent and can cause irritation.

Most carrier oils have a very light scent and have nourishing properties. Some of them can be ingested, but most are meant for topical use.

Carrier oil examples include coconut, jojoba, apricot kernel, sweet almond, and olive oil. Most carrier oils are safe for cats if you use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

But here’s the catch – carrier oils can cause an allergic reaction in your pet. Plus, cats like licking everything off their coat, so you should ensure the carrier oil is safe for ingesting in moderation.

There are also undiluted, pure essential oils without the carrier oil. Such oils are more potent and are more likely to cause adverse effects.

Adverse Effects

Catnip essential oil’s adverse effects are the same as the adverse effects of any other catnip product. Nepetalactone vapors have a stimulating effect on a cat’s nervous system, making it agitated and hyperactive.

Some cats behave aggressively towards the owner or other animals after inhaling catnip, but this problem usually resolves when catnip’s effect wears off.

If a cat behaves aggressively from catnip, the best thing to do is to leave it alone and let it calm down. Don’t touch your cat to avoid an injury. If other pets are in the same room, remove them from the situation.

Catnip essential oil is meant for topical use. If a cat ingests catnip essential oil, it can experience gastroenteric upset because the product is very potent and can irritate the delicate stomach lining.

The symptom severity depends on a cat’s gastroenteric tract sensitivity and the amount of ingested oil. Sometimes, the cat might need intravenous fluids to compensate for the fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea.

Essential oils can be dangerous to felines when ingested because cats do not have a liver enzyme called glucuronyl transferase that acts as a natural detoxification mechanism. Cats are more susceptible to essential oil adverse effects than humans or dogs.

Catnip also acts as a sedative when ingested, making the cat appear lethargic and disoriented. However, if a cat ingests only a tiny bit, it might not have any adverse effects.

Essential oils are likely to cause serious irritation if they get on any mucous membrane, including the nose, mouth, and eyes.

Catnip essential oil can make a cat’s eyes red, watery, and sensitive to light. In severe cases, it can cause a chemical burn and permanently affect a cat’s eyesight.

Catnip essential oil can also irritate a cat’s skin if it’s undiluted or the skin is sensitive. It can cause skin rash and itchiness. It can also increase the risk of sunburns, so be mindful of using it if your cat walks outdoors.

Pregnant cats should not have catnip essential oil or other catnip products because they are stimulants and can cause premature labor.

If you notice any abnormalities in your cat’s behavior after it has inhaled or ingested catnip essential oil, call your vet immediately.

Can a Cat Be Allergic to Catnip Essential Oil?

Cats can be allergic to anything, even to sunlight or cat saliva. Catnip isn’t a common allergen in cats, but catnip essential oil is significantly more potent than the dry herb and is more likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Furthermore, cat skin, mucous membranes, and stomach lining are more delicate than most mammals. Cats can also not metabolize essential oil compounds properly, which makes them build up in the liver.

For this reason, you should closely monitor your cat’s behavior after giving it catnip essential oil for the first time.

Look for symptoms of essential oil allergy in cats – they can be either topical, respiratory, or gastroenteric, depending on the application method.

If you apply the oil on an allergic cat’s skin, it’s likely to have a skin rash and itchiness and might even lose hair in the application area.

The cat might also have respiratory symptoms if it inhales the vapors, such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing.

Gastroenteric symptoms usually occur if a cat ingests catnip essential oil. The symptoms resemble gastroenteric upset, so diagnosing an allergy isn’t easy.

A veterinarian will first rule out other causes of the symptoms before diagnosing your cat with an allergy. Sometimes, a vet may recommend conducting a complete blood test and urinalysis.

If you suspect your cat has an allergy, don’t postpone a vet visit and refrain from giving it the product again. Note that a cat allergic to catnip essential oil is likely to be allergic to all essential oils.

Know the Dosage

As essential oils are so potent, you may wonder how much catnip essential oil is safe for a cat. There’s no universal answer because the dosage depends on the oil’s concentration and the cat’s peculiarities.

The good news is that you don’t need to calculate the dosage. Cats have an innate knowledge of how much catnip is too much, so they cannot overdose.

Your cat will inhale the oil vapors until nepetalactone kicks in. Then, your cat will lose interest in the herb and become desensitized to its effects for some time.

If you want to apply catnip essential oil topically, dilute it with water or pet-friendly carrier oil and apply a few drops. Avoid applying the essential oil to your cat’s mucous membranes and ensure it doesn’t lick the area.

How to Give a Cat Catnip Essential Oil Safely

The risks of catnip essential oil for cats are higher than those of dry catnip or other products, so you should learn how to use catnip essential oil safely.

The best way to use the product is to apply it on your cat’s toys, scratching posts, or bed rather than directly on your cat. This way, you minimize the risk of an allergic reaction and irritation.

Simply apply a few drops to your cat’s belongings or dilute the oil with water to make a spray.

You can also use catnip essential oil to make catnip bubbles. Mix the oil with a tablespoon of pet-safe soap and water, and you get a fun toy for your furry friend.

Catnip essential oil always has a stimulating effect on cats when it’s inhaled, although it can be calming for humans. Thus, don’t give your cat catnip essential oil if you want to calm it down before a vet visit or long car trip.

The product helps encourage lazy and old cats to play and relieve stress by distracting them. Don’t let your cat ingest the oil.

If you want to use catnip essential oil topically for your cat, dilute it with water or carrier oil. Never apply undiluted essential oil to your pet’s skin to avoid irritating it.

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