Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database; VCA Animal Hospitals — pet health library · Free · No sign-up
Not toxic, but be careful — catnip isn't poisonous to dogs, and it comes with caveats that matter.
If your dog may have eaten something harmful, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right now — don't wait for symptoms. A consultation fee may apply to the ASPCA hotline.
Verdict for dogs
Caution
Severity
1 / 5 — Low risk — fine in moderation for a healthy pet.
Safe amount
A taste at most
Category
Plants
Source
ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database; VCA Animal Hospitals — pet health library · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: high
Why
Catnip is not toxic to dogs; it simply does nothing to most of them. Eaten in quantity it can cause an upset stomach, which is the only real reason to keep it out of reach.
Signs to watch for if your dog has eaten catnip
Most pets are fine after a small amount
Vomiting, loose stools or a skipped meal if they had a lot
Any new food can upset a sensitive stomach — introduce it in a small amount
Signs vary with the amount and with the individual pet, and some appear only after a day or more. Their absence does not mean your dog is in the clear — call rather than watch.
What to do now
Don't make it a habit. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea or a lost appetite over the next day and call your vet if it doesn't settle or your dog seems unwell.
Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to. With some substances it causes more damage than the poison. This page tells you when to get help — it never tells you how to treat at home.
Safer treats made for dogs
If you're sharing food because you want to treat them, a treat formulated for dogs does the job without the guesswork.
Verdicts are transcribed from the cited veterinary sources, never inferred. Where a source establishes a finding for one species only, the other species is left null and the page says to ask your vet — a dog finding is never copied onto a cat.
This page is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. CanMyPetEat is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. It tells you when to get help — never how to treat at home. Never induce vomiting or give any medicine unless a vet tells you to. Individual pets vary and toxicity guidance changes; your vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center are the authority.
Not toxic, but be careful — catnip isn't poisonous to dogs, and it comes with caveats that matter. Catnip is not toxic to dogs; it simply does nothing to most of them. Eaten in quantity it can cause an upset stomach, which is the only real reason to keep it out of reach.
What happens if a dog eats catnip?
Watch for: Most pets are fine after a small amount; Vomiting, loose stools or a skipped meal if they had a lot; Any new food can upset a sensitive stomach — introduce it in a small amount. Signs can take hours or, for some poisons, a day or more to appear, so call your vet rather than waiting to see.
How much catnip is dangerous for a dog?
The safe amount is a taste at most, as an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. Large amounts mainly cause stomach upset; if that doesn't settle within a day, call your vet.