Is catnip addictive?

Hi,

We had two cats and recently one died, they were sisters and not terribly close but the remaining cat (Sassie) was quite upset. We thought of getting another cat but she is very timid of other cats - anyway - that's a whole other story I guess and we're still undecided at the moment.

My question is, since Sassie is alone we've tried to cheer her up and spoil her as sometimes she seemed quite 'down' occasionally. She gets lots of cuddles, playtime and treats. She is a real lover of her catnip mouse to the point where it's always kept our of reach in a cupboard. After her sister died we often let her have the mouse as it seemed to make her happy.

Recently she's been going to the cupboard where it's kept and asking for the mouse - I don't know much about catnip - none of our previous cats cared for it. We let her have the mouse roughly once a week, but she clearly knows that it's in the cupboard and seems to want it more often.

Is catnip addictive? Could she have become dependent on it? I don't want to turn my kitty into a junkie

Thanks

Rosie

Catnip isn't addictive--your cat can't develop a tolerance for it and end up with withdrawal symptoms.

Hi,

Thanks for that, i was getting worried that she'd become a catnip junkie!

Rosie (and Sassie)