Catnip olfactory enrichment for cats: how to play
Offer dried catnip inside a fabric pouch to stimulate your cat's sense of smell and bring on the natural responses catnip can trigger: sniffing, rubbing, rolling and purring.
- Time
- 10 min
- Energy
- Low
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- dried catnip
- clean cotton sock or small cloth pouch
Set up
Place dried catnip inside a clean cotton sock or fabric pouch and knot it securely. Choose a quiet room with smooth flooring or a short carpet, and keep the first few sessions short.
How to play
Place the knotted catnip pouch on the floor a little in front of your cat.
Let your cat approach the pouch on its own terms and sniff the fabric.
Watch what your cat does next: it may roll, rub against the pouch, purr, meow or become lively.
Keep the session to around 10 minutes. After that your cat becomes temporarily immune to catnip's effects for about two hours, so pick up the pouch and offer it again another day.
House rules
- Let your cat explore the pouch at its own speed without forcing contact.
- Keep sessions around 10 minutes, as a cat becomes temporarily immune to catnip's effects for about two hours afterwards.
- Limit catnip sessions to a few times per week.
- Make it easier
- Sprinkle new catnip onto the pouch every few weeks to keep your cat's interest.
- Make it harder
- Offer a second pouch in a different room so your cat can choose where to settle.
Signs it's having fun
Eager sniffing, cheek and chin rubbing on the pouch, rolling onto the back with paws in the air, purring or meowing.
Stop if you see
Your cat shows aggression, becomes anxious, or walks away and settles to rest. Pack the pouch away and leave your cat alone.
Safety
Safety- It is a good idea to supervise your cat's first interactions with catnip.
- Eating large quantities of catnip may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
- Avoid giving catnip to aggressive or anxious cats, as reactions can vary.
- Store dried catnip in an airtight container in the freezer to keep it fresh.
Sources
- What Is Catnip? (Humane Society)
- Responsiveness of cats to catnip and alternatives (BMC Veterinary Research)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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