Cats and Catnip – A Great Love

Everything you need to know about its effects, uses and varieties

Cats are famously picky when it comes to toys and treats. Yet catnip delights almost every furball. Is this plant harmful for our velvet-pawed friends? In this article, we answer this and other questions about catnip.

What is catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial plant from the mint family. It's also known as catmint, and it originally comes from the Mediterranean region. The plant can grow up to one metre tall and produces small white or bluish flowers. The scent of catnip is irresistible to cats and has an intoxicating effect on them.

Catnip: effect on cats

The effect of catnip on cats is very individual and can vary from cat to cat. Some cats become very active and playful, while others become calmer and relax. The intoxicating effect of catnip usually lasts only a few minutes before wearing off.

Is catnip harmful to cats?

Catnip is not harmful to cats. However, cat owners should make sure to only offer their cat high-quality products. At LucyBalu, we focus on high quality that stays fresh for a long time thanks to its dried and rubbed form. It can be used with your cat with complete peace of mind.

Catnip: use and location

Catnip is a very robust plant and thrives best in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. It can be grown both in the garden and in a pot on the balcony or terrace. Catnip blooms from June to September.

There are many ways to use catnip. The dried leaves and flowers of the plant can, for example, be used as a toy or as a scent for scratching posts or cuddle caves. Catnip is also used as a tea or seasoning.

Catnip: varieties

There are several varieties of catnip, which differ mainly in growth height and flower colour. Among the best-known varieties are the low-growing "Little Trudy" with blue flowers and the taller-growing "Six Hills Giant" with white flowers.

Catnip as a toy

Because of its special effect on cats, catnip is often used as a cat toy. There are special cat toys, such as the Catnip Balls MINT BALL by LucyBalu, filled with dried catnip. But dried catnip can also simply be sprinkled on the floor to encourage cats to play.

So if you're looking for Catnip or Cat Toys with catnip, then you've come to the right place.😉