Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Catnip - what should I do?
Nepeta cataria
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal upset.
Escalation note
While often used as an enrichment herb, excessive ingestion can lead to digestive irritation. Contact your veterinarian if your cat exhibits persistent vomiting or lethargy.
What to watch for
Most cats show only the brief euphoric/silly behavior — rolling, rubbing, vocalizing — that fades on its own. With overconsumption, watch for vomiting and diarrhea (most common GI signs ASPCA lists), unusual sedation in some cats, or hyperactivity and aggression in others, and occasional drooling. Signs are usually mild.
Time window
Behavioral effects typically begin within minutes of exposure and fade within 10–15 minutes. GI signs from overconsumption are short-lived, usually resolving over a few hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet (or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435) if vomiting or diarrhea is persistent, your cat seems unusually lethargic for more than a few hours after the high should have worn off, or you suspect a very large ingestion (e.g., a chewed-open bag of dried catnip).
What this means for your cat
Catnip is the famous one — most cats sniff or nibble it for a 5-to-15-minute high driven by nepetalactone, then lose interest. The ASPCA still lists it as toxic to cats because larger ingestions tip the response from playful into vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual sedation, but a typical exposure is mild and self-limiting.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.