Can a kitten be allergic to catnip?

Question

I just got a new kitten and it sneezes quite frequently. Then i noticed that it sneezed more often when it played with a toy that has catnip in it. Could this be causing it?

Answer 1

It could when I had two cats my dad grew catnip and they were scratching everything and sneezing everywhere.

Answer 2

Have you been to vet for the first shots yet?  There is a cat flu-like ailment that can be caught by kittens if not given their shots.  A symptom is sneezing.  Have a vet check it out.

Answer 3

I would lay off the catnip until your cat is about a year old.

Answer 4

Depends on where the toy came from.  If it was home made, it may be the intensity of the catnip (it's an herb) which is irritating the nose.  If it's a toy made overseas, they spray/fumigate those with pesticides to kill any insects before they come into this country, and the toy can come through customs covered in that stuff.

Allergies to catnip are very rare, but reactions to toxins on the toys are more common.

Answer 5

One of my cats is allergic to catnip! She doesn't sneeze but every time she goes in her cat tree which has catnip, or if she has toys with catnip, her ears get red and she itches! The only way to really know if it's allergies or an upper respiratory infection is by getting your kitten checked out by the vet!