# Catnip Herb can cause central nervous system damage in cats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catnip-herb-can-cause-central-nervous-system-damage-in-cats/235574 "2004-03-21T18:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catnip-herb-can-cause-central-nervous-system-damage-in-cats/235574/1 "2004-03-21T18:36:10Z")
Any validity to this bold assertion? [Catnip Herb can cause central nervous system damage in cats.](http://www.angelfire.com/biz/mirror2001/petspoisonousplants.html) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catnip-herb-can-cause-central-nervous-system-damage-in-cats/235574/2 "2004-03-21T18:47:21Z")
Well, according to several veterinarians, such as [this one](http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/obedcat/a/catcatnip.htm), no: > [@](#): > > **My cat really goes crazy over catnip, is it dangerous?** > Cats are unique in their response to Catnip, and the response can be very dramatic in some cats - rolling, licking, rubbing, drooling, jumping, running. Other cats appear to become very sedate after exposure. And, as mentioned above, up to 30% of the cat population does not respond at all to catnip. In any case, for all of the (sometimes entertaining) behaviors seen, **Catnip is completely nontoxic to cats**. If a large quantity of fresh Catnip is consumed, you may see some vomiting or diarrhea, but this is rare and self-limiting. If your cat experiences this, limit or withhold Catnip. Emphasis mine