Cat nip can be an excellent, all natural way to get your lazy cats up and moving. They love the smell, taste and effects. A quality cat nip can really bring out the inner kitten even if your cat is older or typically prone to lying about all day.
With the energy given to them by the cat nip, your furry friend will be able to get the exercise they need, playfully lounge on top of their best cat tower or run around chasing toys. This will open them up to being willing to run and play, which can help their health overall. It can also make them a lot more entertaining!
Comparison Chart
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Best Cat Nip Reviews
1. Cat Weed Cat Nip
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This cat nip is sure to drive your furry friends wild. It may be a little more expensive than other options, but it’s completely natural. It will help to bring up the energy level in your cat so that they can have a romping good time!
Product Highlights
This package offers about a cup of cat nip, which can last a decent while if used sparingly. The nip is harvested fresh so that your pet can get the most possible value out of it. That also means it’s going to have more of the essential oil found naturally in cat nip plants. It’s also completely natural, so you won’t have to worry about your kitty ingesting any unwanted chemicals.
What’s to like about the Cat Weed Cat Nip
The 100% natural nature of it is fantastic. There are enough chemicals in our daily lives and the lives of our pets. While there are plenty that don’t end up causing harm, it’s still good to avoid them when they aren’t necessary. The jar is easy to seal so you can maintain the freshness of the cat nip, and if you want to it can be used for other things once the nip has run out. Overall, it’s a great way to help boost your cat’s energy level so they can get more exercise. They’d also easily jump through and out of the best cat door without exerting too much energy and effort.
What’s not to like about the Cat Weed Cat Nip
Some customers do find that this nip isn’t very powerful. Cats are going to be more likely to respond well to powerful, fresh nip. In some cases, they may find that their cat doesn’t like it at all. It’s really going to depend on each individual cat and batch received. Unfortunately, because it’s ordered online there’s no way to tell beforehand just how fresh the nip is.
PROS
- checkIt’s highly effective
- checkSome cats may react more strongly to it than other brands
- checkMost cats love this nip, and will come running for it
CONS
- It may not always be as fresh as expected
- Cats may not be interested in this nip
- It may be a little more expensive than some other options
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2. From The Field Silver Vine/Cat Nip Mix
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Not all cats react strongly to cat nip alone, and this nip includes an extra ingredient that may help to draw in their attention. It’s also offered at a lower cost than other options, so that you and your cat get all of the benefit with no added expense.
Product Highlights
Unlike ordinary cat nip, this mixture also includes an ingredient called silver vine. This can help to increase the reaction from cats who aren’t normally interested in cat nip. It’s fresh, natural and potent so your cats can get the most out of the mixture. They’re sure to be running around and playing in no time at all. It comes at a great price, and you’ll have the option of getting 1oz, 2oz or 3.5oz containers depending on what your needs are.
What’s to like about the From The Field Silver Vine/Cat Nip Mix
Cat nip is fun to have around, but not everyone wants to pay a lot for it because it does tend to be more of a luxury item. Luckily, with this nip you won’t have to worry about paying too much. The silver vine can also be a good way to get your cat’s attention if they aren’t usually keen on cat nip. That way, you may still be able to get a typically lazy cat to run and play with the added energy cat nip can give.
What’s not to like about the From The Field Silver Vine/Cat Nip Mix
Just like any nip, not all cats are going to be into it. There’s no guarantee that the silver vine will get their attention and some cats who normally like nip may be disinterested in this product. If your cats are already big fans of standard nip mixes then it would probably be better to stick to what you know they like. However, if your cat isn’t a fan of pure cat nip then this is worth a shot, but don’t expect it to be a sudden cure.
PROS
- checkSilver Vine can entice cats who aren’t interested in standard cat nip
- checkIt can get intense results from cats
- checkIt comes at a lower price than other options
CONS
- Some cats may not be interested in this nip
- Not all cats like the addition of the silver vine
- In some cases, there can be twigs in the mix
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3. CustomKittyCreations Canadian Cat Nip
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This cat nip comes at a lower price for a decently-sized bag. You can also opt to purchase it in several different sizes and styles, including 2oz, 4oz, 8oz and 16oz in coarse cut, fine cut in 2oz, 4oz, or 8oz and coarse bulk in 3lbs or 5lbs. That way no matter how much cat nip you need, you’ll be set to go!
Product Highlights
This cup is grown fresh in Canada and is made to last. It comes in a sealed, zip-lock bag so that you can keep it in a fresh state until your cat has enjoyed it all. It’s designed to stimulate your cat and allow them to become more playful. You can combine it with toys or a scratching pad to draw your cat’s attention to that object and make it a lot more interesting to them.
What’s to like about the CustomKittyCreations Canadian Cat Nip
Fresh, potent cat nip at a lower cost is the ideal for most cat owners. This brand also has a wide variety when it comes to package sizes that can be great for those who have a lot of cats or like to use the nip in their shelter or boarding facility. Most customers have found this brand of cat nip to be highly potent, drawing in the attention of their cats and getting great value out of every ounce.
What’s not to like about the CustomKittyCreations Canadian Cat Nip
Natural products like these can sometimes have some bits mixed in that aren’t as ideal for you or your cat, such as twigs, thorns and other debris. This can be especially true if you buy course or bulk options. While they might be cheaper, you may also end up having to dig through them to pull out anything you don’t want your cat to potentially eat.
Below is a short video about why do cats like catnip:
PROS
- checkIt’s very potent in most cases
- checkCats tend to be very drawn to this nip
- checkIt can boost the energy level of lazy cats
CONS
- Some cats may not be interested in it
- In some cases, customers have found more stems and thorns than they would like
- Freshness of the product can vary
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4. Cat Crack by Catnip
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Without becoming too expensive, this cat nip is able to offer your cat a longer lasting experience than others. It’s fully natural, excluding the use of any artificial ingredients or chemicals. It’s made to be fresh, potent and work well to give your cat an all-natural energy boost.
Product Highlights
Similar to the Cat Weed nip earlier listed, this is completely natural and comes in a jar that you can keep sealed to maintain the freshness. All you have to do is sprinkle a little bit of the cat nip and most cats will come running. You can get this nip in 1 cup, 3 cup and bulk sizes to ensure the needs of all your cats are met. Even the laziest kitties will be running and playing after some of this nip!
What’s to like about the Cat Crack by Catnip
This cat nip is a fantastic way to get your feline friends up and moving, whether they are old, lazy or both. In most cases, just a little bit goes a long way and cats tend to love it. It comes at a great price and you can place the nip into a toy or on a scratching pad to get cats more excited about those objects. If you want to see what kind of entertainment might be in store or just want to help your kitty get a little more exercise, this is a great product to try.
What’s not to like about the Cat Crack by Catnip
It can be difficult to tell what brands of cat nip your cat might like, so even if your cat doesn’t seem to be too picky you might find they just aren’t into this nip. That’s an issue that just about any cat nip brand can have. In some cases, it might also be that it isn’t as fresh as expected. If you decide to order this nip it might be worth checking to see if it has a strong smell. The stronger the smell, the more likely it is that your cats will be interested in it if they like nip.
PROS
- checkCan have a great, potent effect on cats
- checkSome cats that don’t usually enjoy nip may like this brand
- checkVery fresh
CONS
- Some cats may not show interest in this cat nip
- The freshness of the product may vary
- There can sometimes be more stems and seeds than customers prefer
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5. Garry’s Pets Cat Nip
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For less than a number of other cat nip options, you’ll be able to get three containers of this natural cat nip that your cat will be likely to love. It’s fresh and really works to bring out your feline friend’s inner kitten. They’ll surely be romping and playing in no time with this nip.
Product Highlights
This fresh and natural cat nip is well worth a try for the cost. You get plenty of nips for your cats to enjoy and you can trust that it isn’t made with any chemicals. Cats often go crazy for fresh, high-quality cat nip and it can help them with getting the exercise they need. It comes in a container that helps the nip to stay fresh so that you can get the most for your money.
What’s to like about the Garry’s Pets Cat Nip
You can easily find a good cat nip by looking through the reviews to see just how many cat owners describe their cat’s reaction to the product. Many customers describe their cats absolutely loving this cat nip, to the point where they come running as soon as they hear the lid open. Because it’s natural, you’ll also be able to trust that there won’t be any unwanted chemicals in the nip.
What’s not to like about the Garry’s Pets Cat Nip
Some customers have described not receiving the amount they expected, so make sure to do your research prior to purchasing. Each batch can also have a different level of freshness, so you can’t expect that it will be extremely fresh and potent every time. In a few rare cases, customers also notice a mint smell, so keep an eye out for ingredients that may not be as good for cats.
PROS
- checkCats typically love this cat nip
- checkContainers are a decent size
- checkOften very fresh
CONS
- Some customers find it smells more of mint than cat nip
- In some cases, cats may not be interested in this nip
- The freshness may vary from batch to batch
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BUYER’S GUIDE
Two key things to check when you’re shopping for cat nip are the smell and the potency. In many cases, this can mean you have to try a few different cat nip brands to get the ideal response. Reading the reviews of other customers can be very helpful when shopping online where you can’t check the freshness otherwise.
Key Feature 1: Smell and Freshness
Quality, fresh cat nip will have a stronger smell to it. Depending on the strength and the container, you may even be able to smell it without opening the jar or bag. Otherwise, it may be worthwhile to look for other customer reviews so you know how fresh the nip generally is.
It can still be possible to come across a batch that isn’t as potent even when other customers are often raving about the freshness. Because of this, it may be a good idea to try it out for yourself to find out how your cats react to it.
Key Feature 2: Cat Reaction and Potency
You’ll know you’ve found a great cat nip when your cat comes running as soon as they hear the container being opened. You’ll also see a notable change in their behavior. In most cases, cats can be described as hyper, playful and energetic.
Because of this, getting toys that you can put some cat nip in is a great idea. It will encourage your cats to play and get plenty of exercise. On the other hand, if you open up a container and your cats don’t seem interested it can mean one of two things. Either your cat isn’t interested in that brand of nip, or they aren’t interested in nip at all. Not all cats react to it in the same way.
Cat Nip F.A.Q.
What is it in nip that drives my cat so crazy?
It may help to know that cat nip fits somewhere within the mint family, but the natural chemical that really gets to your cat is called nepetalactone. Essentially, this chemical creates a reaction within your cat’s brain.
It can cause them to feel euphoria and become more playful and rambunctious. You don’t need to worry about negative effects, however, because cat nip is not addictive or harmful to the vast majority of cats. Another interesting aspect is that the effects can be different depending on whether your cat sniffs or eats the nip. Eating the nip can mellow cats out while sniffing it can stimulate them.
What if my cat doesn’t react to the nip?
Not all cats react to cat nip. A small percentage just won’t have any interest in the smell or taste. Younger kittens and those that may be unfamiliar with cat nip might also not react. In some cases, the cat needs to become more familiar with the smell before they are willing to try it.
In some cases, a nip mixture with another ingredient called silver vine can gain the attention of cats that aren’t normally into cat nip. It may be worth trying out a mixture like this if you want to find a natural way to help your cat get more exercise.
Why should I give cat nip to my pet?
Cat nip can be used as a form of positive reinforcement for your cat. For example, if there is a scratching post, bed or toy that you want to encourage your cat to use then you can achieve that by sprinkling or spraying some cat nip onto it.
You can also use cat nip to help ease anxiety in your pet. If you’re going to be taking them to the vet or having guests over, or even introducing them to a new pet then it can be a good idea to give them some cat nip first to soothe them.
How often should I give cat nip to my cat?
It’s a good idea not to overdo it with the cat nip. A smaller amount less often can help ensure that the cat is able to get decent effects from it. It will also help you to save money because your cat will require fewer nips for the desired results.
If you tend to add cat nip to toys then just a little bit can do the trick for a while, otherwise, two or three times per week will work quite well without overloading your pet. It’s also good to offer just a little sprinkle at a time.
Is cat nip bad for people?
It’s not bad for people at all, barring they aren’t pregnant. You can even brew it into a tea to produce a calming feeling. This is excellent for people who like to use natural calming methods like chamomile.
You can also use it to keep away pests like roaches, mosquitos and termites. This is going to be most effective if you have live plants for your cat around. Keeping cat nip plants in your yard or in a window sill can help to steer away these unwanted guests in a natural way that is safe for both you and your cat.
FINAL VERDICT
The top choice for this article is Garry’s Pets Cat Nip. It comes at a great price, and you get three cups at a minimum. It’s also known to drive cats wild due to its freshness. Many people also like that it’s sold by a smaller company that cares a lot about customers.
Second to that, Cat Weed and Cat Crack are both excellent potential options. They aren’t expensive and come in a convenient jar that will keep the cat nip fresh. If you want to try something new, then the From The Field nip/silver vine combination may have something to offer to cats that aren’t fond of pure cat nip brands.
Regardless of which, Cat Nip is one of the many cat products that has significance and could certainly be one of the best cat gifts you can buy for your cats.
Just remember there are some natural plants that can be dangerous for your cats. Always choose the safe cat nip for your cats.