Too drink drunk

Yes, cats can have too much catnip for anyone's good

My dear human peoples,

Wow. We are already a month into the new year. I am floored. I guess we've been having fun…

…in fact, I know of one instance in which we, here at the Clowder residence, had too much fun. And this too much fun is the topic of this issue: when too much of a good thing is TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING, or "Can a cat overdose on catnip?"

The answer, my friends, is yes. Yes, cats can overdose on catnip. And when I say "overdose," I am including everything on the overdose spectrum from "too high on catnip" to "holy crap, this is life-threatening." 

Now, before you go ripping all catnip toys away from your cats, know that life-threatening ODs are rare, and not something you need to really worry about with even routine use of catnip, and only if you have a catnip-eater. 

Not all cats even eat catnip. But if yours does, there's some stuff you need to know.

Smelling is one thing

It is close to impossible for cats to OD on inhaled catnip.

Inhaled catnip is what causes the classic catnip behaviors: the rolling around, playing, meowing, happiness. It's because the herb contains volatile oils, one of which is nepetalactone. The nepetalactone binds to receptors inside cats' nasal passages, triggering pleasurable sensory neurons -- if they are part of the 75% of cats who are sensitive to nepetalactone. Approximately 25% of cats are immune to the effect, and show no interest in catnip, smelling or eating.

Now, overdose, like I said, is virtually impossible when catnip is inhaled, because there is a refractory period. The nepetalactone binds to receptors, causing an effect that lasts from 10 to 20 minutes, but then, there is a period (that lasts about an hour) where there are still the nepetalactone molecules bound to receptors -- but they've cashed out. No new molecules can bind to the receptors, so the effect is time-limited.

It's different if your cat is also a catnip gourmand.

It doesn't take that much for a catnip-nibbler to go way above their tolerance, and even a practiced cat parent can, unknowingly, allow their cat friend to over-imbibe.

I should know. That's what happened this weekend. I totes allowed one of my cats to get way too drunk. Accidentally. Innocently.

Now, my older cat, Paul, has always been a catnip-lover. He'll roll around in, and then eat, a whole cupful at a time: no prob. So, we gave our young dude, Robert (who loves the smell of catnip and does great with catnip scent), a bowlful, too, of the good stuff. 

Which he rolled around in. Then he ate. Then, he lost his mind.

He first was adorable, rolling back and forth. But then, he started zooming. Like the zoomies to end all zoomies. 

Then, he jumped on our bed and peed. 

A lot. He peed a LOT. Like more than I have personally ever seen at one time. Like enough to soak through 2 quilts, a comforter, two layers of sheets, and a mattress protector. 

Then, he calmed down. But he slept for 10 straight hours.

I was high-key freaked out. He is totally fine now, checked out and whole and hale. But I was taken by utter surprise.

Eating it is another thing

Catnip is a member of the mint family. It has been used as a medicinal plant for eons. It's awesomely effective as a sedative and as a diuretic…in almost all mammals, including humans and felines -- which is also why and how it is something that can be taken, internally, in too-large amounts. And what constitutes "too much" varies per individual, per situation. 

Herbal medicines are unpredictable. Because they are natural, there is no standardization of strength in any given amount. Tolerance can change, based on not just health and age, but on how recently food was ingested, new medications, and the like. So, it's hard to know the "right" amount, and I did a serious stupid assuming that my two cats would be able to handle the same amount of catnip.

When too much is eaten (or drunk, in, say, catnip tea), it will act temporarily as a euphoric (a la zoomies), until its diuretic (mass floods of urine) and sedative effect (sleep for hours) kicks in. This stage is not life-threatening, necessarily, but it's no fun for anyone involved, including your cat. 

Now, ingesting an amount that is potentially life-threatening is really rare. The signs are, thankfully, really dramatic and obvious, so you will have no doubts about whether to get immediate help or not (you will KNOW and rush to the vet). A dangerously-OD'd kitty will be unable to stand or walk. They may go unconscious. They will start vomiting and peeing, perhaps at the same time, all over everything. They will have trouble breathing. It will be scary. 

Knowing the limits

So how much catnip should you give a cat who likes to eat the 'nip?

Not a cupful, that's for sure. Even if they can "hold" their catnip, like my Paul, it's best to start them with a tablespoon or so. You can always give them more. You can't go back in time and give them less. 

If you don't want to closely supervise, give them their catnip in a fabric toy (or in a clean, old sock knotted at the top) that they can chew and lick, but that doesn't allow them to swallow the catnip willy-nilly.

Or, you can try silvervine, a woody plant popular among cat parents in Asia, which has similar effects as catnip, but is in a stick form, which is chewable, but impossible to down like catnip -- ensuring less of a chance at a too-much-oh-lawd situation. 

As always, thanks for reading. Next issue, we are answering some reader questions! Have one? Write in to theclowderroom@substack.com and get in on the fun.

Note: I'm not a medical professional. As always, you know your cat best. Follow your common sense and consult with your veterinarian. If you need low-cost veterinary services, the Humane Society has some options, but you can always call 211 for your area (in the US) to find out about clinics near you.

With all our love,

The Clowder