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I wondered if catnip was safe for the dogs and what the impact was when I noticed my dogs playing with the cat toys infused with catnip. It turns out that dogs can safely eat catnip, which excites cats but has the opposite effect on dogs. Catnip has oils that can calm your dog and help their digestion. You can give your dog catnip leaves or oil in their food or water to help them relax before going to the vet or facing a stressful situation. I've read that catnip oil can be put on cuts and bug bites to reduce swelling, but I haven't tried this with my dogs.
In this article, I'll explain what catnip is, the benefits for dogs, and how best to give dogs this powerful herb.
What is Catnip?
Catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a plant from the mint family Lamiaceae. Pet owners know catnip for its effects on cats. Many cats exhibit behaviors such as rubbing against, rolling in, or becoming excited by the plant's leaves or stems.
The compound in catnip that affects cats is called nepetalactone. When cats inhale nepetalactone, it acts as a stimulant and can lead to excitement, euphoria, playfulness, or relaxation, depending on the individual cat's response. Interestingly, not all cats are affected by catnip because sensitivity to nepetalactone is genetic, and not all cats have the specific receptors that respond to it.
Catnip affects cats, humans, and dogs. It can have calming and anti-inflammatory effects on all three. Traditional herbal medicine also uses it for its mild sedative properties. I've added it to my garden because it is a natural insect repellent.
Benefits of Catnip for Dogs
Catnip has a few amazing health benefits for dogs, so I added it to my garden.
1 – Sedative: As stated above, the nepetalactone in catnip acts as a sedative for dogs, effectively calming anxiety and improving sleep.
2 – Digestive: Catnip acts as a carminative, helping to expel trapped air from the intestines. Its organic compounds can provide relief for gastrointestinal discomfort.
3 – Bug Repellent: Researchers report that catnip's active component repels insects by activating a chemical receptor that induces sensations like pain or itch. It's been noted that catnip repels mosquitoes, fleas, wasps, ants, aphids, and other insects.
4 – Antiseptic: Catnip contains thymol, an essential oil with natural antiseptic properties. It can be used to treat cuts, scratches, or bug bites to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
5 – Diuretic: The compounds in catnip have a diuretic effect, which can assist dogs in removing excess water and flushing their urinary tract of waste. I've read that diuretics are used in the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs.
3 Ways to Expose Your Dog to Catnip
After reading about the benefits of catnip for dogs, it's tempting to dive into adding it to a dog's diet, but I would only feed catnip to my dogs under the supervision of a holistic veterinarian. But that doesn't mean we can't take advantage of the calming and bug-repellent benefits.
1 – Give Your Dog a Catnip Toy: Catnip toys aren't made for dogs. You can buy cat toys or break out your sewing kit and stuff an existing dog toy with dried catnip.
2 – Catnip Essential Oil: You can use a catnip essential oil that's safe for dogs. I use Plant Therapy catnip oil, diluting it with a carrier oil and misting it on my dog's coat to repel bugs or applying it to a bug bite to promote healing.
3 – Brew Catnip Tea: I don't like to feed my dogs cold food, pouring warmed bone broth or tea over their food can bring it to room temperature. For calming, I like to use chamomile tea, split between three large dogs. In the future, I plan to use organic catnip tea as well.
When brewing tea, I combine a teabag with hot water in a mug and allow it to brew for 5 minutes; I pour a small amount over each of my dogs' meals and drink the remainder. If using catnip for medicinal purposes, please speak with a holistic veterinarian about the proper dosage.
Homemade Dried Catnip
Catnip is easy to grow and dry. I recommend growing it in a pot, because it's like a vine and will spread quickly around the yard. Drying catnip is easy to do; once dried, it can be ground into a powder and used in a tea or stuffed inside a dog or cat toy.
I dehydrate the leaves and flowers (in a single layer) at 100 F (38 C). How long the catnip is dried depends on how moist the leaves and flowers are when harvested. I generally dehydrate for 2 to 4 hours; a little longer if needed.
