Catnip is the dried form of the Nepeta cataria plant, which is an herb related to mint. It has an extraordinary effect on felines and makes most cats giddy and full of energy! Not all cats are affected by catnip, but around 50%–70% of cats inherit the genes needed to get this amazing response!

Catnip comes in many forms, and some cats respond better to different brands or forms than others. Separating the great from the mediocre can be tricky with so many options. Because we want your cat to have a pleasant experience, we’ve rounded up the eight best catnips with reviews to help you discover which catnip will send your cat to space and back!

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The 8 Best Catnips 

1. Yeowww! Organic Catnip – Best Overall

Yeowww! Organic catnip is a cut above the rest when it comes to quality. It uses only the best flowers and leaves of the catnip plant and dries them to retain all their freshness. Although Yeowww! states that their mix is stick-free, some customers mentioned that sharp stems were left in the package.

According to the ratings, Yeoww! is very economical for the amount you get, but some batches are less potent than others. However, this could be due to natural variation, and almost all of the cat owners that used the catnip raved about how much their cats loved it. Because of that, the Yeowww! Organic catnip takes the top spot for the best overall catnip on our list.

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 2. From The Field Stalkless Catnip – Best Value

From The Field Stalkless Catnip is a finely ground blend of catnip grown in the US. This massive container holds a mix of leaves and flowers, providing fantastic value for money. Because of the tiny grains of catnip, the powder can make a big mess if accidentally spilled! However, the tub keeps the herb fresh.

Some owners said their cats weren’t fans of the blend, but many mentioned how easy it is to spread and use. Because of the large amount of catnip you get for the price, we placed From The Field Stalkless catnip as our choice for the best catnip for the money.

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3. From the Field Catnip Buds Cat Treats – Premium Choice

If you want real luxury for your cat, look no further than From the Field Catnip Buds Cat Treats. Whole buds of catnip flowers and leaves are included in each large bag, so you know it’s 100% fresh! Because of the natural presentation of this catnip, some sharp stems are to be expected.

Since the whole buds haven’t been processed at all (only dried), you’ll need to strip and crush the buds yourself. However, they are the freshest catnip buds you’ll find. Although the Catnip Buds Cat Treats are more expensive than the competition, they’re high-quality treats your feline will love!

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4. Catstages Straw-Babies Catnip Dental Cat Toy – Best for Kittens

We all know that kittens love toys, and the adorable Catstages Straw-Babies Catnip Dental Cat Toys are some of the cutest kitten toys we’ve seen! Most kittens don’t react fully to catnip until they’re around 3 to 6 months old, but these toys are the perfect introduction to the whacky herb.

The catnip in the Straw-Babies toys isn’t loose, so you can’t see how much is inside, and you can’t replace it, but they’re perfectly kitten-sized to entice your cat to play. These kitten toys also feature mesh netting to keep your kitten’s teeth clean, but keep an eye out for flying feathers since some customers mentioned that they can shed!

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5. OurPets Cosmic Catnip

OurPets Cosmic Catnip is another organic catnip product sourced from plants grown in North America. The Cosmic Catnip is a potent blend made even more fragrant by pinching and rolling each piece in your fingers. Some stems can remain in the mix due to the nature of the product, but OurPets assures that only leaves and flowers are purposefully included.

The jar this catnip comes in is a little disappointing as it’s not sealed, and we’d expect a better container for the price. However, OurPets Cosmic Catnip is formulated to be the strongest catnip ever produced; if your cat reacts to catnip, they’re sure to revel in this potent mix!

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6. KONG Naturals Premium Catnip

KONG Naturals Premium Catnip is made by the famous brand to be spread on toys and scratchers to encourage play and provide exciting fun. This blend is a fine grind that is easy to sprinkle on your cat’s favorite places, but some customers stated that small stems and catnip seeds were present in their batch.

The tin the KONG Catnip comes in is resealable and reusable once the catnip is gone, but it can be hard to open! You don’t get a massive amount in each pack, and some owners thought the blend wasn’t as potent as others they’d tried. However, the excellent price point and ease of use make the KONG Naturals Premium Catnip a great choice.

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7. SmartyKat Catnip

SmartyKat Catnip is a cheap and cheerful blend of catnip that’s ground into a fine powder and packaged in an ingenious shaker. The shaker can be used to easily spread and portion the catnip out to make it go further, which is a good feature considering the small amount you receive.

Despite that, it’s an inexpensive product that is the perfect size for introductions to catnip. Some users found large sticks in the mix and complained that their shaker got clogged easily, but the fine grind makes it easier to pick out any stems. Unfortunately, some cat owners found their cats reacted less to this catnip than others they’d tried, which could be due to a potency issue.

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8. Meowijuana Purrple Passion Catnip & Silvervine Blend Catnip

Meowijuana Purrple Passion Catnip & Silvervine Blend is a special mix of catnip and silvervine. Silvervine is a plant that contains similar substances to catnip (nepetalactone) and produces a euphoric effect in cats that don’t react to catnip. Not all cats respond to Silvervine, but the Meowijuana Purple Passion blend means your cat can still enjoy giddiness and relaxation if they react to it.

It’s organically grown and comes in a resealable tube for freshness and ease of transport. The cap can be difficult to remove, but it’s easily spread and enjoyed once opened. Some users stated there were quite a few stems, so take a moment to check if you decide to treat your cat to this catnip and silvervine blend.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Catnips

Now that we’ve discussed the eight best options for catnip, you can decide which is ideal for your cat. When choosing a catnip, the following factors will help you find the best brands.

Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Catnip

Some owners prefer a loose-leaf catnip in a bag that can easily be sprinkled, while others enjoy the freshness and ritual of crushing whole catnip buds. Considering how your cat reacts to catnip can also sway your decision, as additional ingredients like silvervine can make all the difference for some cats.

Form

Catnip can come in a few forms. Usually, loose catnip flowers and leaves are ground or crushed. You can find catnip buds with flowers, stems, and leaves, or buy living catnip plants! A ground product is best for you if you want a catnip that’s ready out of the bag and needs very little preparation (to remove any stray stems).

Buds take much longer to prepare for your cat, but they can provide a potent and intense experience since the oils are released as you crush them.

Added Ingredients

Most catnip preparations only contain 100% Nepeta cataria, but others have additional beneficial ingredients. Silvervine is a popular alternative that can induce similar effects in cats.

Catnip can be mixed with silvervine, honeysuckle, peppermint, lavender, and valerian. Cats react differently to the plants, so consider a blend of catnip and another relaxing herb if your kitty doesn’t respond strongly to catnip alone

Packaging

The packaging of the catnip is also important, and the herb’s freshness can be affected depending on how it is stored. For example, if you want to sprinkle a little catnip over your cat’s favorite scratcher, a shaker or small bag would be the best choice. If you use a large amount of catnip that you want to keep as fresh as possible, an airtight jar is a great option.

Airtight containers are best for storage; the oils in catnip can evaporate and dry out if not stored properly. Loose catnip in a bag can also make a huge mess if left open, so think about how determined your cat is to get to it.

What Makes a Good Catnip?

High-quality catnip is finely ground and should be mostly free from sharp stems; some products have twigs or sharp sticks that can get caught in your cat’s throat. Most catnips are filtered to remove these twigs, but it’s acceptable that a few remain. If the catnip has a lot of debris, it’s a low-quality blend.

Finding organic catnip is also important, and avoiding brands sprayed with pesticides or grown with chemicals is best. Organic catnip is usually a little more expensive, but it’s more than worth it for the higher quality.

Can Cats Overdose On Catnip?

Fortunately, cats can’t overdose on catnip. If they ingest too much catnip at once, they might get mild gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea or vomiting. However, the effects of catnip only last around 10 minutes, and there’s a “cool down” period of at least 30 minutes after each exposure. Catnip won’t affect your cat for at least half an hour after indulging in it, making it safe and non-addictive!

Conclusion

As the best overall catnip, the Yeowww! Organic Catnip is a high-quality and organic blend. The From the Feild Stalkless Catnip offers a large amount of finely ground, high-quality catnip for an excellent price, making it our choice for the best catnip for the money.

If you’re looking for high-end catnip products, From the Field Catnip Buds Cat Treats are a premium product that provides the freshest experience and a lot of catnip. Selecting the ideal catnip product for your cat is a great way of showing them how much you love them!

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Featured Image Credit: Ellie Burnett, Shutterstock