Catnip is a green plant that makes some cats really happy!
When cats smell it, they might roll around, run in circles, or purr like crazy. It’s kind of like their version of a fun surprise.
The secret is something in the plant called nepetalactone (neh-PET-uh-lak-tone). That smell goes into a cat’s nose and tickles the part of their brain that says, “Wow, I feel great!”
Not every cat reacts—about half of cats don’t care at all! And kittens usually don’t feel the catnip magic until they’re a few months old.
🐾 Is it safe?
Yes! A little catnip is totally fine. Just don’t give too much—too many sniffs or bites can make a cat’s tummy hurt.
Catnip isn’t food—it’s fun! A sprinkle is all it takes for happy paws and playful purrs.