Can Giving Kittens Catnip Too Early Make Them Crazy?

Kittens are experts at keeping themselves entertained, so it's not likely that you'll have to resort to breaking out the catnip as therapy for boredom. But maybe your reluctance to give your young kitten catnip has nothing to do with her talent for finding things to do. If you've ever seen an older cat going crazy over the nip, you could be concerned about how safe it is to give to your kitten.

  1. Safe for Any Age

    • Catnip is safe to give to a cat of any age. It isn't addictive, and although the effect it has on your kitty might be sudden and intense, it will typically wear off in as little as 10 minutes. It's worth the entertainment value to see if your kitten would enjoy a bit of kitty nip. If she is younger than 6 months, though, she may not react to it at all, as kittens usually don't become sensitive to catnip before that age.

    It May Never Affect Her

    • If Cecily didn't react to catnip when she was young, give it another shot when she's older. Don't be concerned or surprised, however, if the herb has no effect on her even after she's 6 months old. There's actually a catnip gene that dictates whether or not a kitten will ever respond to the intoxicating plant, and 30 percent of kittens don't have the gene. Those unfortunate few will never understand what all the hype is about, no matter how early or how much you give them.

    Varied Reactions

    • Reactions to catnip vary among those kittens who appreciate good nip. There's usually some rolling and rubbing involved as your kitten ecstatically attempts to immerse herself in the heady herb. Some kitties become super mellow and may even nod off, while others turn into hyper whirlwinds, zipping from one end of the house to the other and back again. If your kitten has this type of edgy reaction, play carefully with her, as she may become excited to the point of aggression.

    Catnip for Your Kitten

    • If Cecily has the catnip gene, she'll be grateful to you for keeping a small supply of it around the house. Don't give her access to it constantly, because she could build up resistance to it. If your kitten becomes disinterested in those toys which contain catnip, put them away every other week or so to keep the catnip spark alive. It will give Cecily a fresh thrill every time you take them out of the drawer. Catnip isn't like wine, however; it doesn't get better with time and will actually lose its effectiveness. If you buy a supply of catnip, keep it in the fridge or the freezer to maintain its freshness for as long as possible.