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Is catnip safe for our dogs?

Kimberley Spinney
Kimberley Spinney

Dog o' Day

A cat plays with a mouse on a farmyard in Sehnde near Hanover, central Germany on December 20, 2014. The minute-long cat-and-mouse game was fatal for the little animal. AFP PHOTO / DPA / JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE +++ GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Has your pup been nosing around at your cat’s treats? Are you worried about what might happen if they get into the catnip?

When it comes to catnip, we often think of it as a treat for cats only (cat is in the name after all). And since it is known for lowering your kitty’s inhibitions and leaving them rolling around in the nip, meowing, growling, rubbing all over the herby mix, and basically just having a good time, just the idea of our dogs getting into this has us concerned about its potential safety.

So the big question is whether or not catnip is safe for our dogs to get into and exactly how they will react if they do get into their feline sibling’s treat!

Can our dogs get into the catnip safely?

According to DogTime, it is in fact safe for our dogs to get into catnip. In fact, even if they eat it, everything will be okay.

But how does it impact our dogs versus our cats? Apparently it can help with potential restlessness and even general anxiety.

"vets may recommend it as a good way to calm and relax a dog suffering from anxiety or nervousness. Catnip is a natural sedative. It’s actually available as a tea for human consumption to help people feel more relaxed."

While we may not be surprised by the news that this is actually safe for dogs, it was surprising to learn how it can have an effect on our dogs. And the fact that veterinarians have been known to recommend it for anxious dogs was something we did not know.

Although we aren’t planning to give our pups catnip unless the vet says it is okay or actually recommends it, knowing that if our staff pup gets into the nip with their fellow kitty sibling makes us feel a lot better. But what do you think?

We want to know your thoughts on catnip and dogs. Are you surprised how it can be used for our dogs? Did you know this was safe for our pups to get into? Let us know in the comments below.

Kimberley Spinney

Kimberley Spinney

I am a freelance writer who has been working in the online media industry since 2014. I have covered everything from entertainment news to health and lifestyle. I'm a self-professed foodie and dog lover, with a passion for reading and travel! You can find me sharing my love of food on Guilty Eats, my love of dogs on Dog O'Day, and a variety of entertainment, pop culture, travel and beauty stories over on Culturess and Tea and Banter as well. [Have a story idea/pitch/question? KDSpinney@gmail.com]