How much catnip to give a cat?

Question

My fiance has a huge male cat. It's super sweet and a bit of a wuss and push over when it comes to other cats. I have found though, if he has had some catnip, he gets aggressive toward other cats. I like to pump him full of as much catnip as he likes and then send him outside to kick some cat butt.

I have fed him fresh catnip from the garden and some dried stuff from Pet Smart called "cosmic catnip."

I let the cat eat as much as he wants. There are 3 other cats at his house and they are fun to feet it too as well.

Is it bad to feed a cat that much catnip, even though he loves it? He can eat up to a cup of it at a time.

Answer 1

You shouldn't encourage the cat to fight, because he or another cat could get an injury and an infection.  

I have always put some catnip into an old sock and let the cats use the sock as a toy.  They love to tear it up.  I also let them eat like a teaspoon to a tablespoon at a time.  I'm not sure if there is a limit.

Answer 2

Flamingo: Some cats do eat cat nip.

Firstly, cats become immune to catnip in a rather short period of time. If you feed or give him as much as he wants, the effects are going to wear off.

Secondly, why on earth would you want your cat fighting other cats? Do you want 500 dollar abscess bills? Has he been tested and innoculated for Feline Leukemia, a virus commonly contracted through fighting?

Catnip is said to simulate the scent of a female cat in estrous, if you're curious as to his sudden aggressive behavior.

Seriously, though, I've been working as a vet assistant for years and have had to put up with a cat that even though neutered, got into fights. It bills, bills, bills.

If he's super sweet, let him be sweet. If other cats in the household are bothering him, this "catnip solution" is not going to change or help his status in the family.

Answer 3

Miss. Kitty does not "eat" her nip. She kind of puts her face in it. Rubs it into herself. I bought the "Cosmic Catnip" too!! I sprinkled it on the kitchen floor!! "her" kitchen floor I mean--and she rolls all thru it and has the best time flinging the dogs  in the face after doing so! I can almost hear her saying "take that" like a drunk at the bar boxing the air....

Answer 4

Fighting is really not good for your cat! My cat lost an ear from fighting! anyway catnip should only be given infrequently and in small doses.. I have never heard of a cat eating it either.  

Answer 5

No its not harmful at all, if your cat has had enough he'll let you know.  

Answer 6

Why would you encourage your cat to fight? So he will come home with scratches, bites and worse. Oh and for the cat nip dont use it, your using it in the wrong way. Thank godd you havent got a dog!

Answer 7

FP's catnip container says "Harmless if eaten." :)

Are you feeding Cashie a cup of DRY catnip, or live? A cup of dry does seem excessive, considering you are sending him out into the world in an altered state.

Fluffypants likes to shred his firecracker and candy cane toys to get the catnip out, and if he finds the live catnip, mows it like a lawn mower. I try to limit him to a pinch of live catnip.

It is not good for Cash to get into fights, because he will get scarred and abcessed, which is painful to him and expensive to you.