Is it safe to Give Catnip to a Cat with Health Issues?
Not all of our feline friends love catnip, but those that do can act very strangely when they are anywhere near the herb. However, many owners worry that if their pets are suffering from any health issues like hypertension, a condition that can affect our feline friends, it could be dangerous to give them any catnip because they worry it could make their condition even worse.
There have been quite a few studies carried out where catnip is concerned, but most of the research has been carried out on rats. The results suggest that in some cases there could be a slight and temporary increase in an animal's blood pressure, but this has only been reported in a few cats when they are given any catnip to play with. At the other end of the scale, a few studies suggest quite the opposite is true with reports of the herb even lowering blood pressure.
Research shows that offering the herb to a cat that suffers from any sort of ailment commonly seen in felines, should not be a problem and that cats suffering from a lung disorder, heart disease or hypertension can safely be given catnip whether in the form of the fresh herb or when it's dried and found in a toy. However, if you are at all concerned, you should discuss things with your vet before offering any catnip to your pet.
What About Diabetic Cats?
Even a cat suffering from diabetes should not suffer any adverse effects when given any of the herb which in short, means if you share your home with a cat that suffers from the condition, you can safely give them a toy with some of the herb in it and it would not have an adverse effect on any medication they may be taken for their diabetes.
What About Hyperthyroidism?
Giving the herb to a cat that's been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism should not be a problem because catnip does not affect a cat's cardiovascular system, it only affects their olfactory system and maybe their central nervous system although this is still debatable and more research needs to be done.
What About Cats with Allergies?
The herb does not seem to affect cats that suffer from any sort of allergies, but more research needs to be done in order to establish to what extent this may be true. Again, if you are worried about giving your cat any of the herb because it might make their allergies worse, it's best to discuss your concerns with your vet before giving them any of it and this includes toys filled with the herb.
What About Hyperthyroidism?
Should you share your home with a cat that's been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and therefore they are on a special diet which is iodine-restricted, then you should not give them any of the herb because it contains iodine. With this said, it depends on the type of catnip and where the herb is sourced as to how much iodine it contains. In short, it's best to err on the side of caution and not give any cats with hyperthyroidism any of the herb until their thyroid levels are back to normal.
What about cats that are prone to suffer from seizures?
It's best not to give any catnip to a pet if they are prone to suffer from any sort of seizure although more research needs to be done to establish whether or not the herb can trigger a fit so it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid giving your pet any if you know they suffer from this type of health disorder.
Lastly, what about pregnant cats?
It's best not to give the herb to a pregnant cat because it is known to be a uterine stimulant which means it could be the trigger to a cat giving birth too early which would be disastrous.
Conclusion
Catnip affects our feline friends in many different ways with many of them not being that interested in any sort of toy filled with the herb whereas it drives others to act in hilarious ways. However, if your cat suffers from any sort of health disorder and you are worried about giving them any catnip, it's best to talk to your vet and get their advice before offering any of the herb to them because it's best to be safe than sorry! that's known to suffer from certain health conditions.
