Published Apr 15, 2022
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Catnip drives cats crazy – most of them, anyway.
It’s a completely natural substance derived from a plant belonging to the mint family, Nepeta cataria. The oil concentrated in fresh catnip engages the vomeronasal gland in the roof of your cat’s mouth, sending signals to the brain to trigger certain behaviors.
Some cats become overly affectionate or relaxed while others experience a burst of energy and playfulness.
If you’re looking for a safe and simple way for your cat to enjoy catnip, catnip treats might be just the thing. In this guide, we’ll cover what makes a good catnip treat and introduce you to our top picks.
At a Glance: Best Catnip Treats To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
PureBites Chicken Breast & Catnip Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- 100% USA sourced chicken breast as main ingredient
- Made with organic catnip
- Short list of ingredients, no artificial additives
Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats
- Contains fresh chicken as the first ingredient
- Nutrient-rich chicken fat as the only added fat
- Crunchy texture cats seem to enjoy
Tiny Tiger Catnip Craze Flavor Filled Cat Treats
- Affordably priced under $0.50 per ounce
- Animal-based protein as the main ingredient
- Complete and balanced for adult cats
Feline Greenies Catnip Flavor Adult Dental Treats
- Approved by the VOHC for tartar control
- Crunchy texture helps scrape teeth clean
- Contains dried catnip for flavor enhancement
Raws Paws Silvervine Catnip Sticks
- All natural, made with a single ingredient
- Chewy texture supports dental health
- Elongated shape encourages play behavior
Meowijuana Crunchie Munchies Catnip Treats
- Concentrated source of animal protein as first ingredient
- Rich in essential fatty acids and omega-3s
- Crunchy exterior with creamy catnip center
The 4 Qualities of a Good Catnip Treat
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The quality of a catnip treat depends on the quality of the ingredients. Not only should the treat contain all-natural catnip, but it should be made with other high-quality and species-appropriate ingredients.
1. A Good Catnip Treat Contains High-Quality Catnip.
To achieve maximum potency, these treats should be made with dried catnip produced from the leaves of the catnip plant. These leaves contain high concentrations of catnip oil, which is rich in the active ingredient in catnip – nepetalactone.
2. A Good Catnip Treat Contains Animal Protein.
Cats are carnivores, so they find meat much more appealing than plants. The key to a quality cat treat in general is high concentrations of animal ingredients, so look for an animal-based source of protein as the first ingredient. It’s even better if any added fats are animal-based as well.
3. A Good Catnip Treat Contains Limited Plant Ingredients.
Not only should you check the protein content of the treats but look for high concentrations of carbohydrates as well. Cats have a difficult time digesting carbs and plant foods simply don’t offer the same nutritional value for felines as protein. Wheat, corn, and soy ingredients are best avoided, though fresh vegetables may provide some benefit in the way of nutrition.
4. A Good Catnip Treat Doesn’t Contain Any Artificial Additives.
As is true for your cat’s food, a good cat treat shouldn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. These ingredients have been linked to negative health effects and serve no beneficial purpose in cat treats or cat food.
Our Top Picks for the Best Catnip Treats
Now that you have a better understanding of how we came to our top picks, you’re probably eager to see them!
Here are our top 6 picks for the best catnip treats:
#1 Overall Best: PureBites Chicken Breast & Catnip Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Cheap cat treats are often full of meat by-products are grain-based fillers, but these PureBites treats contain just two simple ingredients: chicken and catnip.
The treats are freeze-dried to preserve nutrition and pack a punch when it comes to protein content. They’re low in fat and calories but rich in chicken flavor. Plus, the catnip will drive your cat crazy.
While customers seem to appreciate the quality of these treats, there are some comments about the texture and composition. Some customers found the treats to be a little bit crumbly and others thought there was too much catnip in the bag compared to the amount of chicken.
Overall, these cat treats are packed with species-appropriate animal protein and organic catnip. They don’t contain any unnecessary ingredients and they come from a reputable brand.
Ingredients
100% Pure USA Sourced & Made Chicken Breast & Organic Catnip
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked
- 100% USA sourced chicken breast as main ingredient
- Made with organic catnip
- Short list of ingredients, no artificial additives
- Rich in protein with low fat and calorie content
What We Didn’t Like
- Product crumbles easily
- High concentration of catnip in the bag
#2 Runner Up: Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats
When it comes to choosing cat food and treats, the ingredients matter. Not only do you want to make sure they’re wholesome and natural, but it helps to know where they come from.
Shameless Pets has a reputation for producing high-quality pet treats made with responsibly sourced, traceable ingredients. What makes Shameless unique is that they use misfit and surplus produce to help reduce food waste.
These catnip treats contain chicken as the first ingredient with nutrient-rich chicken fat and catnip. There are a few unnecessary plant ingredients like sweet potato, brown rice, and tapioca, but no by-products or artificial additives.
Cats seem to enjoy the crunchy flavor and many customers reports that their cats go crazy for these treats. There are a few reports of cats throwing up after eating the treats, but it doesn’t seem to be a recurring problem for those cats.
Ingredients
Chicken, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Tapioca, Brewers Dried Yeast, Miscanthus Grass, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor, Inulin, Catnip, Phosphoric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked
- Contains fresh chicken as the first ingredient
- Nutrient-rich chicken fat as the only added fat
- Crunchy texture cats seem to enjoy
- No animal by-products or artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some unnecessary plant ingredients
- Some cats throw up after eating them
#3 Best Budget: Tiny Tiger Catnip Craze Flavor Filled Cat Treats
Feeding your cat well can be expensive but spoiling him with tasty treats doesn’t have to be. Sold in 16-ounce bags for just $7, Tiny Tiger catnip treats are priced under $0.50 per ounce.
These catnip treats have a crunchy outside and creamy center. They’re made with chicken by-product meal as the primary ingredient, supplemented with chicken fat as a nutrient-rich source of essential fatty acids. They’re even complete and balanced according to AAFCO nutrient profiles.
The primary drawback of these treats is that they contain several unnecessary plant ingredients. The carbohydrate content is similar to other inexpensive brands like Temptations, but the moisture content is a little higher than the average crunchy treat.
Overall, these cat treats are fairly high in protein with moderate fat and low calorie content.
Ingredients
Chicken By-Product Meal, Barley Flour, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Lactic Acid, Natural Flavor, Salt, Canola Lecithin, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Choline Chloride, Dried Catnip Powder, Taurine, Alfalfa Extract, Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Titanium Dioxide (Color), Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Affordably priced under $0.50 per ounce
- Animal-based protein as the main ingredient
- Complete and balanced for adult cats
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains unnecessary plant ingredients
- Some cats don’t care for them
#4 Best Catnip Dental Treats: Feline Greenies Catnip Flavor Adult Dental Treats
Periodontal disease is an incredibly common condition in cats, especially as they get older. A healthy diet and a daily tooth-brushing routine is the best way to support your cat’s dental health, but dental treats like these Feline Greenies can’t hurt.
Feline Greenies are one of the few dental cat treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) for tartar control. They have a crunchy texture that helps scrape your cat’s teeth clean and an irresistible chicken and catnip flavor.
While these treats are VOHC approved, they do contain a number of ingredients we’re not thrilled about. In addition to ground wheat and corn gluten meal, these treats contain vaguely named poultry fat and poultry flavor.
These ingredients aren’t necessarily poor in quality, but it’s difficult to judge since we the exact source isn’t specified. These treats are, however, naturally flavored and free from other artificial additives.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Ground Wheat, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oat Fiber, Natural Poultry Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Dried Catnip, Choline Chloride, Citric Acid (a Preservative), Fruit Juice Color, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), DL-Alpha Tocopherols Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Ferrous Sulfate, Turmeric Color, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Approved by the VOHC for tartar control
- Crunchy texture helps scrape teeth clean
- Contains dried catnip for flavor enhancement
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains corn and wheat ingredients
- Made with some vaguely named animal ingredients
#5 Best Silvervine Treat: Raws Paws Silvervine Catnip Sticks
If your cat doesn’t react to catnip, a silvervine treat might be more appealing. These silvervine sticks from Raws Paws are made with fresh catnip and they’re completely free from artificial ingredients.
These sticks are harvested from the silvervine plant, also known as matatabi. Because they’re 100% natural, they’re offer the benefits of incredibly potent catnip. Plus, the chewy texture helps support dental health and the elongated shape is perfect for play.
The downside of these treats is that they’re a little pricey per-treat. You can get a 30-count bag on Amazon for about $12 which averages to $0.40 each. It’s certainly more than the average cat treat, but it’s understandable considering the size and the quality of the single ingredient.
Ingredients
100% Silvervine Matatabi Plant
Guaranteed Analysis
Not Listed
What We Liked
- All natural, made with a single ingredient
- Chewy texture supports dental health
- Elongated shape encourages play behavior
What We Didn’t Like
- Pricier per treat than the average catnip treat
#6 Best Crunchy Treat: Meowijuana Crunchie Munchies Catnip Treats
One of our favorite brands of catnip products, Meowijuana offers an assortment of catnip treat flavors. These treats are made with natural ingredients and offer a crunchy exterior with a creamy catnip center.
Each formula features numerous sources of animal-based protein. In this salmon recipe, you’ll find chicken meal, salmon meal, and tuna meal. It also contains nutrient-rich sources of animal-based fat like chicken fat and pork fat.
Like many cat treats, this recipe does contain a few plant ingredients but they’re free from corn, wheat, and soy. They also don’t contain any artificial additives.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Barley Flour, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal, Tuna Meal, Pork Fat, Dried Whey, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Pork Liver Flavor, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Canola Lecithin, Dried Ground Catnip, Taurine, Ground Valerian Root, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Concentrated source of animal protein as first ingredient
- Rich in essential fatty acids and omega-3s
- Crunchy exterior with creamy catnip center
- Available in several different flavors
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some grain and starchy ingredients
- Contains dairy
Other Catnip Products We Love
Catnip cat treats are a great way to spoil your feline friend, but if you’re looking for something that lasts a little longer, a catnip toy might be a better option.
Here are some of our favorites:
#1 Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Toy
Our top pick for the best catnip toy is this yellow banana from Yeowww! Packed with premium catnip and made from durable cotton twill, this toy encourages scratching, biting, kicking, and batting. Each banana is individually stuffed, hand-sewn, and made in the USA.
#2 SmartyKat Chickadee Chirp Electronic Bird Sound Toy
If your cat loves to hunt and bat small cat toys, this bird toy from SmartyKat is just the thing. Not only is it filled with potent catnip, but it makes realistic bird sounds. This toy satisfies your cat’s natural instinct to hunt by mimicking the unpredictable sounds and movements of a real bird.
#3 KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher
Scratching posts provide your cat with a means of satisfying their natural urge to scratch while saving your furniture from his sharp claws. The KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher is generously sized and reversible for extended use. It also comes with a bag of loose catnip you can sprinkle on top to attract your cat.
