Yes, kittens can have catnip. However, kittens younger than six months will likely not feel anything or show a reaction to the plant. Some cats may not react to cat nip until they're at least a year old.
It's been two weeks since I've effectively traded in my badge to work with Kingpin's network of catnip dealers. I used to be a hard-nosed detective, but now I'm just a regular soft-nosed catnip enthusiast. I've been working corners, selling the Green Fairy to the public of Whisker City, and things are going pretty well.
"I've got a new job for you, Fuzzywinkle." Felin's voice rang in my ears, smooth as silk.
"What's crackin', boss?" I asked.
"I've told you repeatedly that I don't like that phrase," she replied.
"Sorry, boss." I put my paws behind my back and looked at my feet.
"Anyway, the new job is to start selling more Kitten Crack. You've been doing a good job with adult cats, but we're struggling to reach the youth market," she explained.
"What age can cats have catnip?" I asked.
"Typically, between six months and a year, or from like seven to 15 in cat years. We're skewing more toward the teenage crowd, so I want you to start hanging out at middle and high schools and stuff," she replied.
"Do you want me to go undercover as a student?" I asked.
She burst out laughing. She clutched her stomach as her whole body doubled over. This continued for a lot longer than I would like to admit.
"A simple no would have been fine, boss," I sighed.
Can Kittens Have Catnip?
Yes, catnip is safe for kittens. However, very young cats may not have any reaction to the Nepetalactone in cat nip since their olfactory senses haven't fully developed. Otherwise, catnip is just as safe for kittens as it is for full-grown cats.
Peachy keen. Gangbusters. Cat's Meow. Swirl. Bingo. The words came back to me like a boomerang that's been flying for 20 years. If I were going to reach the youth of today, I would have to re-learn the hip slang that young kittens use on a daily basis. Otherwise, they'd consider me a "square" and refuse to buy any 'Nip.
"What's the 411, mama?" I asked Felin. The look on her face was a mixture of disgust and bewilderment.
"What did you just say?"
"I'm just trying to holla at my main kitty. Ain't no reason to get beefed out, playa," I accentuated my words with my paws, moving them in different directions.
"What the heck are you doing?" I obviously got her full attention now.
"Just brushing up on my slang so I can sell more Kitty Crack. What do you think?"
"I think if you talk to a group of kids like that, they won't want a free hit," she replied.
"Well, we'll just see about that, won't we?"
"Sure. You're going to start out on the corner of 5th and Western. There's a high school down the street, and most of the kids walk past that corner during lunch period and after school," she explained. She handed me my daily catnip portions and sent me to my driver.
My fur bristled with excitement. It's been a while since I've been the big cat on campus. I just hope I'm not too cool for school.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
Catnip triggers a happy response in cats, similar to what they feel when aroused. Most cats are playful and relaxed, and many of them roll around in catnip after smelling it. Ingesting cat nip has the opposite response, making cats feel drowsy.
I could hear the bell from here. In a couple of minutes, a flood of high school students would come pouring out of the gates and onto the street. My whole body was shaking with nerves. Part of me couldn't wait to bust out my old school terminology, but part of me was nervous that I would intimidate these kids.
As I saw the first students turn down my street, I instinctively leaned against the wall. I strategically placed a toothpick in the corner of my mouth to up the "cool" factor.
Finally, they approached. My first customers were a group of three students, chatting about whatever. They seemed pretty excited about whatever it was.
"'Sup, homies?" I called out. One of them gave me a weird look, but the group continued walking.
"Wanna get fly?" I asked. They acted like they didn't hear me. How rude.
Another group of four students approached. I would really have to up my game to reach these youths.
"Don't hate the player, hate the game," I said, nonchalantly.
"What did you say, old man?" One of the kittens retorted.
"Oh nothing, just talking to myself. What's up, playas?"
The kids started laughing and continued walking. "What a weirdo!" I heard one of them say.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
Is Catnip Safe for Kittens?
Yes, catnip is fully safe for kittens of any age. However, to ensure that your kitten has the best reaction to catnip, you should wait until it's at least six months old. While catnip is safe to eat, too much can upset your kitten's stomach.
Lunchtime was a total bust. No matter how many sick slang terms I threw out there, none of these kittens took the bait. I never even got to talk about how great Kitty Crack is or offer any free hits. Maybe Felin was right. Maybe I'm just too hip for this world.
Finally, I heard the end-of-day bell. I cracked my neck and shook my arms and legs, calming my nerves.
A big group of students turned down my street. Some of them started whispering to each other as soon as they saw me. Whatever they said must have been pretty funny, as practically everyone burst out laughing.
As they approached, I ran through opening lines in my head. Whatever I said had to be perfect. I would only get one shot at this.
Suddenly, an epiphany.
"Hey, y'all want some catnip?" The words tumbled out of my mouth like tiny little acrobats.
In a flash, the entire group of students crowded around me.
"You got catnip? For real? How much?"
Suddenly, they were all reaching into their pockets, searching for cash.
"One at a time, homies, one at a time!" I exclaimed.
"What is catnip?" I heard a voice call out.
"It's the best thing that's ever happened to you. It's perfect for relaxing, especially when you're stressed about school, home slice," I replied.
"How old are you?" Some asked.
"Don't worry about it," I replied.
There was a flurry of action. Dozens of paws extended, holding wads of bills. I replaced each wad with a baggie of Kitten Crack. In a few minutes, I was tapped out.
This was so much easier than I thought.
Catnip Kittens: A New Demographic
Cat Crack is safe for cats of all ages. Catnip helps kittens and adult cats feel good, thanks to its all-natural stimulation. Since catnip isn't addictive, you can give a small pinch to your kitten without worry.
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