At one time, I was skeptical of giving my cats Cat Nip but then I did some research and learned it's not bad for them at all! Plus, they really enjoy it every once in a while. There is something special about watching your senior cat play like a kitten again.
Cat Nip is a part of the mint family. It's a perennial herb that grows in the wilderness, you could even grow your own at home. There are a few different catnips out there so if you don't know which one to get, experiment with the ones from the store or buy some seeds and do it your self. The people at the pet store are always very helpful, they could steer you in the right direction.
You also don't have to worry about your cat overdosing, they actually have a sense of when enough is enough. Some cats prefer toys with catnip in it and some prefer the actual leaf that they can chew on, bruise and rub up against. Catnip gives them a high feeling that can either make them more lethargic or really hyper and playful. All cats are different, so maybe it won't even affect yours but you won't know until you try!
