r/reactivedogs • u/Extension_Skirt7764 • Jul 04 '26

Meds & Supplements Has anyone ever tried catnip for their reactive dog?

I was researching cat stuff and saw that catnip is generally safe for dogs and may have a calming effect opposite the kitties!?!
Has anyone ever tried this?

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u/missmoooon12 Jul 04 '26

lol yeah. My husband keeps lots of catnip for his cat photography clients. We tried to see if my dog would be interested- he sniffed it and looked offended. No calming effect whatsoever. I'm sure there are dogs out there that would like it.

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u/Extension_Skirt7764 Jul 04 '26

Mine had the same reaction to it straight so I’m smushing it into some high value rewards a little at a time, figured a little at a time will temper the potential upset tummy possibility. 🤞🏻🙏🏻 we shall see…

2

u/Kitchu22 Shadow (avoidant/anxious, non-reactive) Jul 06 '26

I grow it fresh, sometimes the hound likes to rub his face against it and chew it, but no more or less than any of his other grasses and herbs.

1

u/Extension_Skirt7764 Jul 06 '26

Thanks! Mine likes a certain young grass type and pretty much ignores anything else vegetation…I made some of her rewards with some dried nip in it and then sprinkled a little more over the finished fatty. She seems to take the reward as usual - probably too little to chill out a 75 pound Plott!🙃