{"id":438967,"date":"2023-11-15T13:23:39","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T18:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=438967"},"modified":"2024-07-22T13:06:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T17:06:14","slug":"does-catnip-help-cats-with-nausea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/does-catnip-help-cats-with-nausea\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Catnip Help Cats With Nausea? Everything You Need to Know!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nBenefits of Catnip<\/a>
\nRisks of Catnip<\/a>
\nHow Can I Help My Nauseous Cat?<\/a>
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While popular in traditional and alternative medicine, there is little research or scientific evidence about the catnip plant\u2019s (Nepeta cataria<\/em>) benefits for nausea in people, let alone cats. This makes it hard to say whether catnip could help a cat with nausea, but anecdotally, some people say it works for them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since too much catnip can cause signs like vomiting and diarrhea in cats, we recommend keeping this herb away from your nauseous kitty.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of Catnip<\/h2>\n

For cats, the main benefit of catnip is behavioral since about 60% of cats just seem to love it! For sensitive cats, smelling catnips provides a high for 10\u201330 minutes, with cats showing signs like relaxation, rolling, rubbing, and purring. Many cats don\u2019t react to catnip until they are over 6 months to a year old.<\/p>\n

The herb contains nepetalactones, the main compounds in the essential oils from catnip, which are thought to be responsible for the behavioral effects on cats. These nepetalactones may have other effects like repelling and killing insects.<\/p>\n

Other plant compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and steroids may provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits. Catnip is thought to have an antispasmodic (relaxant) action on smooth muscles in the body.<\/p>\n

Smooth muscle is in the airways, gastrointestinal tract<\/a>, and uterus of people and cats, which could explain the use of catnip for menstrual cramps and indigestion in people. However, this effect is only apparent when used as an essential oil and tested on guinea pig tissue.<\/p>\n

Since essential oils are not recommended for cats<\/a>, and evidence is lacking in this area, we can\u2019t say that catnip will work on your cat\u2019s gastrointestinal system<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Risks of Catnip<\/h2>\n

Fresh or dried catnip plants or catnip-based products<\/a> designed for cats are very safe to use in moderation. Too much catnip can cause vomiting, diarrhea, trouble walking, and disorientation.<\/p>\n

We recommend starting with a tiny amount when introducing your cat to catnip, and if your cat is showing any signs of illness, it may be wise to forgo the catnip lest you make things worse. As mentioned earlier, catnip essential oils are not recommended for cats.<\/p>\n

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Lots of cats go bananas for catnip. If your cat is one of them, we recommend Hepper's durable, engaging Catnip Stick Toy<\/a>! These sturdy toys come in several fun colors and feature bite-proof double bagging and 100% organic catnip fill. They're also handmade in the USA and designed to look like your cat's natural prey.<\/p>\r\n

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\n \n Hepper Stick Catnip Cat Kicker Toy <\/a>\n
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