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Is Catnip Toxic to Dogs?

✅ Non-Toxic
✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit
⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.
No, catnip is non-toxic to dogs. Dogs do not get the euphoric effect, and chewing or eating the plant is harmless.

Also known as: Catmint, Nepeta cataria, Catswort · Nepeta cataria

What to do if your dog eats it

None required. A dog eating a lot of catnip may simply vomit the plant fiber later — mechanical, not toxic.

Common questions

Will catnip calm my anxious dog like it perks up cats?

Not reliably. It does not affect dogs the way it affects cats. Some calming supplements include tiny amounts, but the plant itself is not a sedative for dogs.

My dog dug into the catnip patch — anything to worry about?

No toxicity. Expect at most a grassy vomit. The digging and the missing plant are the bigger issues.

More plants checked for dogs

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.