If you are in a house with dogs and cats, then you know that they may share their toys with each other from time to time. While it is cute to see your pets play with one another, you might be concerned that safety hazards might arise. For example, if your dog plays with cat toys that contain catnip, you might be worried about his or her health. Is this safe? Should you be concerned if your dog munches on a toy with catnip?
What Is Catnip?
Catnip is an herb and it comes from the same family as mint. The active chemical compound in catnip is nepetalactone. The compound is found in the plant’s pods, leaves, and even coating its stem. This is the active ingredient that causes your cat to go crazy! Catnip can cause cats to feel mellow, experience a buzz, or even start acting a bit overexcited.
It is also commonly used as a base for tea that you can drink. While some people find catnip tea to be soothing, it does not cause the same mood-enhancing effects in people as it does in cats.
Catnip for Dogs: Is it Safe?
So, is catnip for dogs safe? Yes! In addition to being safe for dogs, it is also nutritious! Catnip contains a wide variety of important nutrients including:
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Magnesium
Tannins
Flavonoids
Essential oils
In addition to containing numerous important nutrients, catnip can also calm down your dog. Some of the other health issues catnip might help with include:
1. Sleeping Issues
If your dog is having trouble falling asleep at night, catnip might help, as it acts as a mild sedative. This could make it easier for your dog to sleep at night.
2. Nerves and Anxiety
If your dog gets nervous before he or she goes to the groomer or vet, catnip can help with this. About 30 minutes beforehand, give your dog a little bit of catnip to help him or her calm down.
3. Prevent Mosquitos and Fleas
Catnip can also prevent fleas and mosquitos from bothering both your dogs and cats, keeping your pets happy and healthy. If you see them scratching and biting at themselves, give catnip a try.
Not only is catnip safe for your dog but it is also incredibly effective at dealing with a wide variety of health issues. Consider putting it to use for your dog's health!
How Can I Give Catnip to My Dog?
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of catnip for dogs, remember that it should not be given as some sort of health supplement. Instead, catnip should be reserved for acute issues from which your dog is suffering.
If you think that your dog could benefit from catnip, consider sprinkling just a half-teaspoon of catnip on his or her food. Or, you can add a few fresh catnip leaves directly to his or her drinking water.
Keep an eye on how your dog responds to catnip, as every animal responds slightly differently. That way, you can see if your dog can benefit from the unique properties of catnip!
As with any pet, it's critical to be responsible and take the best care of their health that you possibly can. For any concerns you may have, there are pet care specialists available. Request an appointment to meet with one of our vet health specialists.