Catnip is surprisingly versatile. Most people know it as something that makes cats go wild, but you can also brew it into tea, use it to train your cat’s behavior, stuff it into homemade toys, and even use it as a natural mosquito repellent. Here’s a full breakdown of what to do with it.
Give It to Your Cat (Several Ways)
The most popular use for catnip is simple: let your cat enjoy it. You have a few options depending on the form you have.
Dried catnip is the most common form. Sprinkle a pinch on a scratching post, scatter it on the floor, or rub it into your cat’s favorite toy to renew their interest. A little goes a long way.
Fresh catnip plants are safe for cats to sniff and nibble directly. If you grow it in a pot, your cat will likely find it on their own. Fresh leaves contain more of the active oil than dried versions, so expect a stronger reaction.
Catnip spray is a liquid extract you can mist onto toys, cat beds, or furniture. It’s less messy than the dried herb and works well for refreshing old toys that have lost their appeal.
DIY catnip toys are easy to make. Sew dried catnip into a small fabric pouch or sock, and you’ve got an interactive toy that costs almost nothing. Cats tend to kick, bite, and bunny-kick these pouches, which makes for great exercise.
How Cats Actually React to It
When a cat inhales catnip, the active compound (nepetalactone) binds to scent receptors inside the nose. That signal travels to the brain’s emotional and behavioral centers, triggering a response that looks like pure bliss: rolling, rubbing, drooling, zipping around the room, or just flopping over in a daze. The effect kicks in almost immediately and lasts about 5 to 15 minutes, after which your cat becomes temporarily immune to it. You’ll need to wait before offering more, since they simply won’t respond again right away.
Not every cat reacts to catnip. Roughly 30 to 50 percent of cats show no response at all, and this is purely genetic. If your cat doesn’t have the right genes, catnip will do nothing for them no matter how much you offer. Kittens under 3 to 6 months old also won’t respond, so save your supply until they’re a bit older.
Use It to Train Your Cat
Catnip is one of the easiest tools for redirecting your cat’s behavior. If your cat scratches furniture, sprinkle catnip on the base of a new scratching post and rub some into the fabric. You can also hang small bags of it from the top. This draws your cat to the post and helps build a habit of scratching there instead of your couch.
The same approach works for cat beds, carriers, or cat trees your pet ignores. A light dusting of catnip or a few spritzes of spray can turn a piece of furniture your cat avoids into their new favorite spot. It’s especially helpful when introducing a new item to your home.
Brew It Into Tea
Catnip isn’t just for cats. Humans have brewed catnip tea for centuries as an herbal remedy. The traditional uses include calming restlessness and nervousness, easing gas and stomach cramps, soothing coughs, and helping with sleep. To make it, steep one to two teaspoons of dried catnip in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes, then strain.
The tea has mild calming properties. Nepetalactone, the same compound that excites cats, appears to have a relaxing effect in humans. Animal studies show it reduces anxiety, and it has a long folk history as a gentle sleep aid. Some parents have traditionally used weak catnip tea to soothe colicky babies, though this is a folk practice rather than a clinically tested one.
A few cautions: catnip tea can cause drowsiness, so avoid combining it with sleep medications. Some people find it upsets their stomach rather than settling it, so start with a small amount to see how you tolerate it.
Repel Mosquitoes
This is the use that surprises most people. Catnip oil is a genuinely effective mosquito repellent. Research published in Scientific Reports found that catnip oil concentrations as low as 2% repelled over 70% of mosquitoes for up to four hours. At that concentration, it performed comparably to 15% DEET, the standard synthetic repellent. Multiple studies have confirmed that nepetalactone rivals DEET in repelling mosquitoes that carry diseases like dengue and Zika.
You can buy catnip essential oil and dilute it in a carrier oil (like olive or coconut oil) to make a simple skin-safe repellent. It won’t last quite as long as high-concentration DEET products, but it’s a natural alternative that genuinely works, not just a folk remedy.
Grow It in Your Garden
Catnip is a hardy perennial in the mint family that grows easily in most climates. Planting it serves double duty: you get a steady supply for your cats and a natural deterrent for mosquitoes and some other insects in the area around the plant. It grows aggressively, though, so consider planting it in a container to keep it from taking over your garden beds.
Harvest the leaves and flower tops when the plant is in full bloom, then hang the cuttings upside down in a dry, ventilated space. Once fully dried, strip the leaves and store them properly to preserve their potency.
Store It Correctly
Nepetalactone is volatile, meaning it evaporates and breaks down over time. A bag of catnip sitting in a drawer will gradually lose its punch. The best way to preserve it is to store dried catnip in a sealed container in the freezer. This slows the breakdown of the active oils significantly. Catnip spray and essential oil should be kept in a cool, dark place with tight lids. If your cat suddenly seems uninterested in catnip they used to love, the herb has likely gone stale rather than your cat losing sensitivity.