First-time cat owners might be tempted to give their kitten catnip. After all, kittens are a bundle of energy, and some catnip could help them tire out sooner. If nothing else, cats love catnip, so kittens should too, right?
Before spending money on catnip or toys with catnip for your kitten, you should note that there’s a good chance that your money would be better spent on other toys for kittens.
Do Kittens Like Catnip?
While cats love catnip, most kittens don’t care for the plant at all. This is because kittens are too young to experience any effect caused by catnip.
However, this isn’t to say that kittens dislike catnip. There’s no harm in having catnip around, so don’t worry about hiding toys or throwing out scratchers that have catnip in them. If nothing else, catnip could spark your kitten’s curiosity, giving them something new to check out.
Of course, you want to make sure that you don’t have old catnip. While catnip doesn’t expire it does lose its potency, so kittens won’t like it regardless of maturity!
When Can You Give Catnip to a Kitten?
You can give catnip to your kitten at any age, though they’re unlikely to show any reaction to catnip until they’re 6-12 months old. Some cats never develop any interest in catnip at all.
The good news is that catnip isn’t bad for kittens, so you can always have one or two catnip toys around your house. As your kitten grows older and matures, you might find that they gradually become more interested in catnip.
Catnip Alternatives For Kittens
If you have a kitten and want to provide them with stimulating alternatives to catnip, consider the following options:
Silver Vine (Actinidia polygama): Silver vine, also known as Matatabi, is a plant that can elicit a similar response to catnip in cats. Many cats, including kittens, enjoy silver vine toys or dried silver vine sticks.
Valerian Root: Valerian root is another herb that can attract some cats. It has a strong, distinctive odor that some felines find appealing. Valerian root toys or sachets can be used to provide entertainment.
Tatarian Honeysuckle Wood: Like silver vine, some cats find Tatarian honeysuckle wood enticing. It can be used in the form of toys or sticks.
Kitten Toys: There are various interactive toys designed for kittens and cats that do not rely on herbs like catnip. These toys can include feather wands, crinkly balls, or laser pointers, which can be great sources of entertainment and exercise.
Homemade Toys: You can also make homemade toys for your kittens. Simple items like crumpled paper balls, cardboard boxes, or feathered strings can be enjoyable for kittens to play with.
Scented Toys: Some kittens enjoy toys with different scents, such as those infused with the smell of prey animals or other appealing odors.
Rotating Toys: Cats can become bored with the same toys over time. Rotating their toys and providing new ones periodically can keep their interest piqued.
Always ensure that the toys and materials you provide are safe for your kittens. Avoid small parts that could be swallowed, and supervise playtime to prevent any accidents. Additionally, kittens need a lot of play and social interaction, so spending quality time with them is crucial for their mental and physical development.
Kitten Catnips FAQs
While most kittens react to catnip around 6-12 months of age, you can give catnip to a kitten at any time.
Kittens tend to ignore catnip, but you shouldn’t go overboard to try and get them interested. Too much catnip can make cats sick. So, start out by sticking to one or two catnip toys.
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