Can cats eat catnip — is it safe to ingest?

Yes, ingesting small amounts of catnip is safe. Catnip is a herb — it is non-toxic whether smelled or eaten. However, the euphoric rolling-and-playing response comes primarily from smelling the plant, not from eating it.

When a cat eats catnip rather than sniffing it, the effect is actually milder — they may become slightly sleepy or calm rather than playful. Some cats chew catnip instinctively during a session, which is fine.

The one caution is quantity. If a cat eats a lot of catnip (which is unusual since the smell is the main draw), they may experience temporary digestive upset — drooling, loose stools, or mild vomiting — that resolves on its own within a few hours. A pinch is all that's needed, so this scenario is easy to avoid.