Storing fresh catnip
- Refrigerate on arrival. Fresh catnip is a cut herb. Put the sealed bag in the fridge as soon as it is delivered.
- Keep it sealed. The bag is resealable. Open it, take what you need, and close it again to keep moisture in and fridge odors out.
- Use it within several days. Aroma is strongest in the first few days. The sprigs will slowly wilt after that, though most cats will not mind.
- Dry the leftovers. If you will not use a whole bag, spread the remaining sprigs on a paper towel in a dry spot for a few days, then crumble the dried leaves into a jar. You can also freeze sprigs in a sealed bag.
Five easy ways to serve it
1. The plain sprig
Place one sprig on the floor and step back. Most cats will sniff it, rub their cheeks on it, roll on it, and eventually chew it. This is all it takes.
2. Bruise a leaf
Gently rub a leaf between your fingers before offering it. Bruising the leaf breaks open cells and releases a big hit of aroma, which is helpful for cats that are slow to notice.
3. Stuff a toy
Tuck a few leaves into a refillable catnip toy or an old sock knotted at the end. The toy holds the scent and gives your cat something to kick and wrestle.
4. Refresh a scratching post
Rub a sprig along a scratching post, cat tree, or new bed to make it more inviting. This is a gentle way to steer scratching toward the right surfaces.
5. Chopped as a topper
Finely chop a few leaves and sprinkle them on a favorite blanket or a spot you want your cat to hang out. A little goes a long way.
How much and how often
A single sprig or a small handful of leaves is plenty for one session. Cats typically enjoy catnip for several minutes and then lose interest for a while, so there is no benefit to piling it on. Offering it a few times a week keeps it special. Catnip is widely considered safe and non-addictive for healthy cats, and cats self-regulate, but check with your veterinarian if your cat has health concerns or seems to get an upset stomach after a big nibble.
If your cat does not react
Sensitivity to catnip is inherited, and roughly a third of cats do not respond at all. Kittens usually do not react until they are a few months old. Try bruising a leaf to release more aroma, offer it when your cat is relaxed rather than sleepy, and give it a couple of tries on different days. If nothing happens, your cat is simply not a catnip cat, and that is perfectly normal.
Dispose of the bag responsibly
Our bags are certified commercially compostable. Where commercial composting is available, empty bags can go in with food scraps along with any leftover sprigs. Otherwise dispose of them with household waste.