First of all, catnip is for cats primarily. It’s not “dognip” it’s “catnip”. While dogs can eat it, catnip shouldn’t be the usual part of your dog’s diet. Yes, it’s safe for them to consume it, but they need other resources to keep their diet complete. However, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to calm your dog when nothing works and you have to take your dog to the vet or calm him down for any other reason – catnip might work. I use “might” because, as with cats and catnip, some dogs are simply unaffected.

Catnip Has A Calming Effect On Dogs

 If you’ve ever observed cats and their catnip playtime, it makes them excited and playful. They roll around, some eat the catnip, some don’t, some sniff it, or do some zoomies. Afterwards, they calm down. However, some cats don’t react at all. There’s nothing wrong with them, it’s just the way nature works. I like to say that some cats have more “catnip receptors” while others don’t.

And that’s the same with dogs. If you have more than one dog, try it out. Maybe all of them will evidently calm down or mellow out. It could be one, or it could be none. Again, for the purposes of simplifying the idea of how some react to catnip and some don’t, I’ll say it again – some dogs have less and others more catnip receptors. These are amateur terms coined by me. But, they work well and are not too far from the truth.

Now, back on those dogs who do react to catnip. These dogs calm down because the catnip has a calming effect on them. It mildly sedates them, makes them less anxious. This can come in handy when you need to calm down your dog when taking him to a vet or when they need to get into a car. Whatever the case is, it is not a permanent solution. The real cure is consulting a vet or a dog behaviorist. Truth be told, a good behaviorist will always ask if the dog is healthy.

Using catnip to calm down your dog shouldn’t be a permanent solution; Seek help from a dog behaviorist or a veterinarian; 

Catnip may also help soothe your dog during unforeseen events beyond your control, like fireworks or loud noises. If your dog does react to a catnip, giving him some can help them feel better. Just don’t give your dog too much!

How Much Catnip Is Enough?

When you give your dog catnip for the first time, start really small. Give them ⅛ of a teaspoon by sprinkling this amount over their food. You can also sprinkle this amount over their favorite chewing toy. And then wait. If a dog doesn’t react, well, what can you do? If a dog does react by seeming calmer or laying down for a nap, a sleepy stretch or a yawn – good for you! But, if your dog starts to behave weird, out of the ordinary, showing signs of an upset stomach (diarrhea, vomiting, etc.) stop with the catnip.

⅛ or up to ½ of a teaspoon sprinkled over their food is enough for dogs

The side effects usually happen when they consume too much catnip. Such a small amount (1/8th of a teaspoon) shouldn’t cause any side effects. If your dog doesn’t react at all or reacts as expected (calms down) you can use ½ of a teaspoon for the next time. Don’t go over this amount and remember, it’s not a permanent solution, but more of a first-aid solution.

Other Catnip Effects

Besides having a well-known effect on cats (and dogs), catnip is also useful as an insect repellent, especially against fleas and mosquitoes! You could sprinkle some catnip around your pets’ sleeping places. Of course, catnip is a preventative, not a cure for fleas.

Catnip can repel mosquitoes and fleas

Also, a study shows there are possible antimicrobial effects against dog skin infection pathogens. It’s the catnip essential oils that are linked to antimicrobial effects, not the dry version we give to our pets. Don’t treat your dog with any essential oils on your own. Always consult a vet. When given too much, essential oils can be very harmful to our dog’s health.

Summary

While catnip can help some dogs, as I already mentioned, it is important to address the real issue. Why is your dog anxious? The first step I’d take, as a dog behaviorist, is to take your dog to a vet. Pain, discomfort, or other changes on the body can influence a dog’s behavior a lot. They can become anxious, nervous, fearful, and so on. They can even show signs of aggression. After the vet checks out any possible health issues, turn to a dog behaviorist. And, if it’s just a random anxiety situation and you know catnip helps calm your dog – go for it! Just don’t give them too much and too often. Dogs can, just like cats, get used to catnip and won’t feel the effect anymore. 

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Cover photo by Snapwire