Everyone has heard of using catnip for cats. It provides a harmless, euphoric sensation in cats that is entertaining for both cat and owner. It is used less in dogs because the effects are not nearly as dramatic, but the herb can still be beneficial for dogs’ digestion and mental health.
If your dog suffers from anxiety when being left home alone, when going to the vet, or during storms, catnip can be used to help them feel more at ease. The effect of catnip on dogs is the opposite of cats in that it creates a calming effect. Sprinkling about ¼ tsp on their food is an easy and effective way to chill out your dog.
Catnip is also beneficial when it comes to digestive problems. It can be used to relieve gas and can calm the muscles of the digestive system to prevent them from passing waste matter too quickly.
Similar to cats, catnip does not affect all dogs. For those that do react to catnip, you should be able to see results in about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the dog and the amount eaten.