Catnip Toys For Dogs: Are They Safe? Plus Top Picks For Your Pup!

So, I saw this thing online about giving dogs catnip toys and I thought, “What the heck, let’s give it a shot.” My dog, Buster, he’s a good boy, but sometimes he gets a bit too excited, you know? So, I got this catnip toy, thinking it might chill him out a bit.

First, I did some digging online to see if it’s even okay for dogs to have catnip. Turns out, it’s generally safe, but you gotta be careful not to give them too much. Some folks even said it can help calm them down, just like it does with cats, but not exactly the same. They said if he eats too much, he might get a tummy ache or something, so I made a note to keep an eye on him.

I went to the pet store and picked up a little mouse toy stuffed with catnip. When I got home, I gave it to Buster. At first, he just sniffed it, looked at me like I was nuts, and then went back to his usual bone. I was a little bummed, not gonna lie.

Here’s what I did next:

• I tried rubbing the toy on his bed, hoping the scent would get him interested.
• I even tossed it around a bit, trying to get him to play with it.
• No dice. He just wasn’t feeling it.

But then, a few hours later, I found him actually playing with the catnip mouse! He wasn’t going crazy like some cats do, but he was definitely more playful than usual. He was chewing on it, batting it around, and even carried it to his bed. It was pretty funny to watch.

He seemed to enjoy it for a while, and then he just went back to his usual self. No crazy zoomies or anything, but he did seem a bit more relaxed afterward. Not like, knocked out or anything, but just… calmer. I guess that’s what they mean by “mild sedation.”

So, yeah, the catnip toy for dogs? It was an interesting experiment. Not a total game-changer, but it was fun to try something new with Buster. I’ll probably let him play with it from time to time, just to mix things up. But I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t overdo it. Overall, I’d say it was a win, even if it wasn’t the magical chill-out solution I’d maybe hoped for.

It’s pretty cool that something that works so well for cats can also have a little effect on dogs. Like I found out, every dog is different. What works for Buster might not work for other dog, so if you want to try catnip toys for your dogs, do your own research, watch your pup, and see what happens. Just have some fun and see how things go!