Catnip, also known as catmint, is a perennial plant best known for its euphoric effects on felines. A few whiffs of nepetalactone, the active component in catnip, can make your furball go nuts and become erratically playful. Even though not all cats respond to nepetalactone, those that do act out of their typical character. They could writhe on the ground, become more vocal, or zone out and sleep.
So, Can Catnip Help Felines With Nausea?
Yes. Catnip does more than make cats happy. It can also be used as herbal medicine for restlessness, anxiety, tummy gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. Ingesting catnip can help soothe your cat’s digestive system, alleviate nausea and relieve muscle spasms along the intestinal tract.
Read on to learn more about catnip and its ability to “purrfect” a feline’s digestive system.
Image Credit: Kassel95, Pixabay
Can Catnip Address Feline Digestive Problems?
Your cat can feel nauseous for various reasons, including eating too much or too fast. The most common telltale sign of nausea is dry heaving. If your furry friend is retching or vomiting, you can help it feel better by offering some catnip.
Catnip effectively addresses various feline digestive issues, including bloating, constipation, and cramping. It is a carminative and effective at relieving flatulence or air stuck along your feline’s intestines.
The plant contains organic compounds that aid in peristalsis. Here, digestive tract muscles contract to help your furry buddy expel the irritant, causing nausea or a stomach upset. The herb can also prove helpful when relieving the aches of other tummy issues like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
Lots of cats go bananas for catnip. If your cat is one of them, we recommend Hepper's durable, engaging Catnip Stick Toy! These sturdy toys come in several fun colors and feature bite-proof double bagging and 100% organic catnip fill. They're also handmade in the USA and designed to look like your cat's natural prey.
At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
How Much Catnip Does Your Cat Need for Nausea Relief?
Catnip is a gentle yet effective digestive stimulant that triggers the production of digestive secretions along a feline’s gastrointestinal tract. It helps relieve nausea by easing intestinal pressure caused by gas and other irritants.
While the minty herb is typically used to encourage playfulness or to aid in training cats, it has medicinal properties that can help address common causes of stomach upset.
If your furball seems nauseous or has a stomach upset, use a pinch of catnip in its water or chicken broth. The chemical compounds in the herb can help with vomiting and relieve any discomfort or tightness in the gastrointestinal system to make your cat feel better.
For the desired outcome within the least time possible, make sure you use good-quality catnip.
Furthermore, catnip has a calming effect that will soothe your feline friend after a digestive disturbance. The herb can be of invaluable help, especially if the root cause of poor digestive functions is stress or anxiety.
Image Credit: Gaston Cerliani, Shutterstock
Tips to Relieve Nausea Faster When Using Catnip
As we have seen, catnip supports digestion.
Whether your furball is nauseated because of gas, indigestion, or a stomach upset, here is the proper way to administer catnip.
Make Your Cat “Eat” the Catnip
The effects of sniffing catnip are different from those of eating the herb!
Sniffing will make your furry friend go wild while eating catnip will give a calming and soothing effect. You want your furball to mellow out, especially if it is experiencing digestive problems.
Image Credit: Olga_Malinina, Shutterstock
Only Give a Small Amount of Catnip
Too much catnip can help with vomiting, although this is not necessarily the outcome you want because your cat is dry heaving. Even a tiny amount of the herb can help with nausea and an upset stomach. While felines are naturally good at self-regulating, they may over-consume catnip in a desperate attempt to relieve pain, vomit, or relax.
Withhold Solid Food for a While
Another tip to help your furry buddy enjoy faster relief is withholding food for a short while. The idea is to allow your cat’s tummy to rest. Depending on the severity of a concern, you can let your feline fast for a few hours or up to 24 hours.
After the fast, provide bland cat food and then transition to a small amount of soft foods like boiled chicken breast. Make baby steps toward reinstating the pet’s usual diet.
Image Credit: snd_nrdc, Pixabay
Keep Your Cat Hydrated
Even when fasting, you can still give your furry buddy plenty of water. Only provide small amounts of water at a time because too much water can highlight nausea and cause vomiting. Consider providing some light chicken soup if your cat refuses to drink plain water.
FAQs
Catnip is safe for cats, and regulated consumption can enhance your feline’s health and elevate its mood. Here are three frequently asked questions about the effects of catnip on a cat’s digestive system.
1. How Does Catnip Address Feline Tummy Issues?
Catnip has numerous medicinal properties, making it instrumental in treating stomach upsets, gas, nausea, and diarrhea. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in soothing the digestive system and alleviating gastrointestinal pain.
2. Can Catnip Enhance My Cat’s Immune System?
Catnip can help manage stress and anxiety in felines. It also aids in reducing stomach inflammation, pain, and bloats. While no scientific research suggests that it can strengthen your cat’s immune system, the herb has numerous enticing health benefits.
3. How Frequently Should Felines Have Catnip?
Whether you want to use catnip for tummy problems or play sessions with your furball, you should beware of the effects of administering catnip too often. Anything more than a weekly treat can cause desensitization. Your furball will need more catnip to enjoy the herb’s euphoric effects.
Final Thoughts
Cats have sensitive stomachs, and maintaining a happy gut is easier said than done. Even transitioning food brands can cause nausea or stomach upset. A bit of catnip can help your feline buddy digest and rest after a bout of digestive disturbance.
In a wrap, make sure you only provide a small amount of catnip when treating nausea. Ingesting too much can cause more harm than good by making your cat have diarrhea, vomit, and possibly take longer to recover.
If symptoms persist past a day, or you notice alarming irregularities with your pet’s behavior or bathroom habits, you should consult your vet.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
