Can You Put Catnip in a Litter Box?

One of the most challenging things you need to teach your cat is how to use the litter box. In most cases, it doesn’t take too much time or effort. But sometimes, this process may need a little more patience and work.

But what should you do if you can’t seem to get your cat to use the litter box? There are several tricks you can try. You might have heard about catnip. Can you put catnip in a litter box? Find out in this article.

What’s Catnip?

Catnip is a plant known for affecting cats in different ways. It doesn’t only affect domestic cats, but wild ones as well. Some like to smell or eat it; others enjoy rolling in it. But what exactly does this plant do to your cat?

The plant itself, coming from the mint family and sometimes called catmint, contains a chemical that causes a certain reaction in a cat. This chemical is called nepetalactone. Different cats will have different reactions to the plant. Still, most of them will become hyperactive or at least playful after coming into contact with it. This effect typically doesn’t last more than 15 minutes, and the strength of your cat’s reaction depends on how much catnip the cat has consumed.

Can You Put Catnip in Your Cat’s Bathroom?

If you’re having trouble teaching your cat to use the litter box, you might have started to wonder – can you put catnip in a litter box? Will it attract your cat?

Some people hesitate because they’re not sure if catnip is safe for cats. It is. It’s neither toxic nor addictive, and it won’t harm your kitten. However, there may be some side-effects if you overdo the amount of catnip you’re exposing the cat to. These side-effects can include diarrhea or vomiting.

You can put small amounts of this plant on your cat’s favorite toys or scratching posts to encourage these behaviors, but make sure it’s never too much.

As for the bathroom, if you want to encourage your cat to use the litter box, it could be a good idea to add a small amount of catnip to the litter. There are different types of litter, and not all cats prefer the same type. You may need to experiment a little until you find out what your cat likes. It may turn out litter with catnip works best in your case.

Catnip isn’t unheard of in cat training either. You can buy it in different forms, such as sprays or as dried herb. Some people use it to teach their cat not to scratch the furniture – they spray or rub the catnip onto the scratching post to make it more attractive. If you’re trying to teach your cat to sleep in their cat bed, spraying catnip over it may help. You can even make cat toys using old socks and dried catnip.

Keep in mind that catnip sprays aren’t as concentrated and might not work as well as a dried or fresh herb.

The Possible Countereffect

So, can you put catnip in a litter box? Yes. But beware – sometimes placing catnip in the litter box can have a countereffect.

According to testimonies from cat owners, catnip can cause some hormonal changes in your feline friends. These changes can even make them spray! If the walls on the litter box aren’t high enough, the urine may end up on the floor or the furniture. To solve this, either reduce the cat’s exposure to catnip or get a litter box with higher walls.

Other cat owners say their pets seem to urinate immediately after consuming catnip. This is why it’s a good idea to place catnip in the litter box, but make sure they don’t get too much of it outside the “bathroom.”

How to Get Your Cat to Use the Litter Box?

These suggestions may help you become more successful in litter-training your cat, or solve a potential issue a trained cat may have. Other than placing catnip in the litter box, here’s what you can try.

1. Make sure the litter box is the appropriate size and type. Some cats don’t like the motions and sounds of a self-cleaning litter box as it scares them. Have you changed the litter lately? Maybe your cat doesn’t like the new litter type.
2. Place the litter box where it belongs. It shouldn’t be in a place where your cat will have no privacy. Also, don’t move the litter box to avoid confusing your pet. Your cat’s bathroom also shouldn’t be anywhere near the area where you keep their food and water.
3. Keep the litter box clean. A cat is less likely to return to the litter box if it’s dirty. Try scooping every time your pet does its business, if possible.
4. Don’t let the litter box get overcrowded. If you have more cats, ensure that you have more litter boxes as well. Ideally, have more litter boxes than cats.

Using Catnip as Your Ally

As you can see, catnip can play a valuable role in your cat’s litter-training. It has a positive effect on cats in general, so it could help your cat learn where the bathroom is. If you have trouble teaching your cat where to do its business, this is another trick you can try.

Can you put catnip in a litter box? Yes. But make sure you don’t use an excessive amount to avoid countereffects.