Is giving cat nip to my cats like giving them Marijuana or drugs?

Question

I give my cat's catnip a few times a day and on Friday night's I mix it in their food, I figure if I'm going out and partying they may want to too. I've noticed over the years they almost seem to be dependent on it, like it's a drug they need because they are use to it.
I'm thinking about cutting them off, but I'm concerned they might suffer from withdrawls, if Is this an irrational concern? I heard if people are cut off from certant drugs the suffer terribly. I would never want to see my, or any pets suffer. I'm actually thinking about keeping them on the stuff for their whole live's for this very reason. Should I, Shoulden't I , they seem happy it's just I stopped smoking herb and now I feel better, I wonder I they would be happier if I stopped enabeling their habbit? Whadaya think?, Please have some fun with this one.

Answer 1

When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, often salivating copiously. Some cats will also growl and meow. This reaction only lasts for a few minutes before the cat loses interest. It takes up to two hours for the cat to "reset" after which it can come back to the catnip and have the same response as before. Young kittens and older cats are less likely to have a reaction to catnip.

so i dont think it would hurt them to cut em' off

Answer 2

Catnip is non-addictive and doesn't do anythng bad to them. The oils in catnip stimulate part of the brain in most cats (about 10% aren't affected so don't respond to catnip). But there's no lingering after effects that standard drugs would do, so its completely safe.

Unless your cat turns into a 'mean drunk' when around catnip, some get very aggressive thinking the plant will be taken away.

Answer 3

So I see you've turned yourself into a "pusher" for your nip-head cats. I don't think there are any dependency issues with catnip. It can make them seem to be zoned out and they can get sexually aggressive, but some cats aren't affected at all. (Apparently yours are). Yes, catnip seems to be like recreational drugs for cats, but it shouldn't be a major part of their diet. I'd say once a week would be fine.

If you're still concerned, call a vet. The worst he could do is laugh.

Answer 4

haha! i love the last few lines of your question...you just stopped smoking herb and feel better! haha.

its not quite the same for cats, from what i can gather. yes they enjoy it but they shouldn't really become addicted in the sense of the word you or i would understand.

i do think, however, that you are over doing it a bit! i give mine catnip now and then, as a treat if they are good or just as a nice suprise - not more than say once or twice a week though!

haha...really can't get the image out of my head of you and your stoner cats all chillin' on a friday night ;-)

Answer 5

catnip only makes them crazy for a while and they even become 'immune' to it after an hr or two. Some cats totally lose interest after long exposure, so unlike marijuana and other drugs, catnips' effects wear off. So you can take'em out with no problems.

Since catnip makes cats go crazy and drool, why are you puttin them in their food??

Answer 6

The good kind of catnip makes 'em nuts, that's for sure. I think since it's all natural it's not harmful to them. I have four and they don't seem to have withdrawal symptoms when they are shorted. I love to watch all their goofy antics while they are high on it, it's hilarious to me. I feel that they probably don't have all that much fun in their little lives, and I do what I can to enhance it.

Answer 7

Cat nip is like marijuana to cats but without the harmful side effects that marijuana causes in humans. It won't hurt them. It's harmless. As long as it wasn't hurting them I wouldn't take it away.

Answer 8

only give as treet once a week