Your kitten has been hitting the catnip a little too hard, and you’re watching them roll around with dilated eyes, wondering if they’re high. Well, they probably are!
The main chemical in catnip that causes cats to react is nepetalactone, and it is a mild hallucinogenic (for cats, not for people). Over half of cats respond to catnip. Young kittens don’t respond until they’re around 6 months old, so your 9-month-old kitten is old enough to discover the joys of catnip. And good news—catnip isn’t addictive, so giving catnip to a responder can add a whole new mode of enrichment without much risk!
A cat’s response to catnip can range from relaxation to extreme agitation. Most cats just roll around and enjoy the catnip, but if your kitten becomes aggressive after a little catnip session, you may need to choose a different form of entertainment.
If your kitten appears to enjoy catnip, you could consider putting catnip in their carrier for trips to encourage relaxation. You can also spread catnip toys throughout the house as a form of enrichment. Some cat scratchers allow you to sprinkle catnip into them to enhance the scratching experience.
If catnip isn't for your kitten, learn more about another treat—grass treats!
