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In short: Catnip oil (Nepeta cataria) contains mainly nepetalactones, substances that attract roughly two thirds of cats and repel mosquitoes in the laboratory. It smells herbal and slightly minty. On the skin use 1 % at most, in an oil burner 2 drops. Never put it on a cat's fur or on its toys.
| Latin name | Nepeta cataria, catnip |
|---|---|
| Part used and extraction | flowering herb: leaves, stems, flowers; steam distillation (our oil: Canada, BIO) |
| Main constituents | nepetalactones (Z,E and E,Z isomers, roughly 60–90 % in commercial oils), caryophyllene |
| Scent | herbal, slightly minty, sweetish, a little hay-like |
| Dilution | skin 1 %: 2 drops per 10 ml, 6 drops per 30 ml |
| Safety | cats: only with caution; not a registered repellent |
Every cat owner knows catnip: a handful of dried herb is enough and the tomcat rolls around on the carpet. Less well known is that the same substance that attracts cats repels mosquitoes. Catnip essential oil is therefore interesting for two very different purposes, and for both it needs to be handled with care.
Our catnip oil is distilled from flowering herb grown in Canada. In this article you will find out what nepetalactone is, what the studies on mosquitoes really showed and, above all, how to use the oil in a home with a cat.
Nepetalactone: One Substance, Two Effects
The main constituents of the oil are nepetalactones. In cats they act through the sense of smell: they bind to receptors in the nose and trigger the familiar behaviour, that is sniffing, head rubbing, rolling and purring, which usually lasts only a few minutes. In a study of 100 domestic cats, 68 % responded to catnip. Sensitivity is hereditary, so roughly a third of cats are left cold by catnip.
In insects nepetalactone does the exact opposite. A study in Current Biology (2021) showed that it activates the TRPA1 receptor in mosquitoes and flies, which insects perceive as an irritant. The human TRPA1 receptor, however, is not activated by nepetalactone.
Catnip and Mosquitoes: What We Really Know
| Finding | Conditions |
|---|---|
| at a concentration of 1 %, catnip oils and DEET repelled over 95 % of mosquitoes | laboratory test on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes |
| a 10 % solution of the oil was comparable to DEET for the first 2 hours | after 4 hours the effectiveness dropped to 88 %, after 24 hours to 76 % |
| the US EPA registered refined catnip oil as an active ingredient of repellents (2008) | this is a registered refined oil, not an ordinary essential oil |
The results are promising, but they come from the laboratory. Our oil is an aromatherapy raw material, not a registered repellent; in the EU repellents are approved as biocides. Where ticks or disease-carrying mosquitoes are a risk, use an approved repellent. You can find out more about research on oils against mosquitoes in the article natural protection against mosquitoes.
Cats: What Is Safe and What Is Not
Dried catnip in toys is safe for most cats. The ASPCA nevertheless lists catnip as a plant toxic to cats: after eating a larger amount it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and it makes some cats drowsy and others wild. The problems are usually mild and go away on their own.
An essential oil, however, is a concentrate: one drop contains the nepetalactone from a large amount of herb. Cats' livers also break down some substances in essential oils less well than human livers do. That is why we recommend:
- Never on the cat. Do not drip the oil on fur, a collar, a bed or into a bowl.
- Dried catnip on toys, not the oil. Do not use the oil to make cat toys or to liven up a scratching post.
- No repellent blend where the cat is. Catnip will draw the cat to the sprayed spot, and it will rub against it and lick it.
- Keep the bottle closed and up high. A cat will find it by the scent and may knock it over.
- Oil burner only where the cat can leave. And do not combine catnip in a flat with a cat with citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree or mint, which are risky for cats.
- Warning signs: drooling, vomiting, trembling, staggering or restlessness mean you should ventilate immediately, put the oil away and contact a vet.
The general rules for oils in a home with pets are summarised in the article essential oils and pets.
Scent and What Catnip Pairs With
Catnip belongs to the mint family, just like mint, and you can tell by the scent: herbal, slightly minty, but softer and sweeter. It pairs well with:
- Citronella – a classic summer duo for the terrace.
- Lavender – softens a blend for body oil.
- Pelargonium – a floral note for summer blends.
- Lemon eucalyptus – a fresh blend for sitting outdoors, only in a home without cats.
Uses and Recipes
| Use | Dose for adults | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oil burner on the terrace | 2 drops of catnip + 2–3 drops of citronella | outdoors, never leave the candle unattended |
| Oil burner in a flat | 1–2 drops in a blend | not in a room with a cat that cannot leave |
| Body oil | catnip 1 %: 2 drops per 10 ml, 6 drops per 30 ml | adults only, patch test on the forearm |
| Spray for outdoor textiles | 15 drops of oil in 50 ml of alcohol (e.g. 40% vodka) | not on skin, not on cat's belongings |
Summer Body Oil for an Evening in the Garden: Method
- Pour 30 ml of jojoba oil into a dark bottle.
- Add 6 drops of catnip, 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of pelargonium. That is 12 drops in total, or 2 %.
- Close the bottle and turn it upside down.
- Do a patch test on the forearm for 24 hours.
- Apply a thin layer to the arms and legs. It is not a registered repellent and does not replace one in risk areas.
Blend for an Oil Burner on the Terrace
2 drops of catnip, 2 drops of citronella, 1 drop of lavender. Place the oil burner downwind of where you are sitting and let it burn only under supervision. You will find how many drops to use for what area in the article how many drops for a diffuser and oil burner.
Safety for People
- Skin: always dilute, catnip on its own 1 % at most. Do not apply to the face, eyes or mucous membranes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: do not use, safety has not been verified.
- Children: do not use catnip on the skin of children under 6; lavender and chamomile are more suitable for the youngest, according to the article essential oils and children.
- Not internally: tea from dried catnip is something different from a concentrated oil.
- Storage: dark glass, cool, tightly closed and out of the reach of children and animals. Use within 2 years.
How to Recognise a Good Catnip Oil
On the label look for Nepeta cataria. Ornamental catmints from flower beds (for example Nepeta × faassenii) have a different composition and affect cats less. A good producer states the nepetalactone content and the country of origin. General guidelines are in the article how to recognise a good essential oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is catnip oil poisonous to cats?
Dried catnip is safe for most cats; in larger amounts it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. The oil, however, is many times more concentrated, so do not put it on a cat's fur or on toys, and store the bottle out of its reach.
Why do cats go crazy for catnip?
The reaction is caused by nepetalactone, which the cat perceives through smell. Roughly two thirds of cats respond and sensitivity is hereditary. The effect usually lasts only a few minutes.
Does catnip work against mosquitoes?
In laboratory tests catnip oil repelled mosquitoes similarly to DEET, but the effect weakened after several hours. Our oil is not a registered repellent and it does not replace one where mosquitoes or ticks carry diseases.
Can I put catnip oil on a cat toy?
We do not recommend it. Dried catnip is suitable for toys, as the dose is naturally low. A cat may lick the concentrated oil.
Can I use catnip oil on the skin?
Yes, but only diluted in a carrier oil to 1 % at most and only in adults. Before first use, do a patch test on the forearm.
Recommended Products
- BIO Catnip, essential oil 10 ml – Nepeta cataria from Canada, rich in nepetalactones.
- BIO Citronella, essential oil 10 ml – catnip's summer partner for an oil burner on the terrace.
- BIO Lavender, essential oil 10 ml – softens a blend for body oil.
- BIO Jojoba 10 ml – a carrier oil for safe dilution.
- Ceramic oil burner, white – for blends on the terrace and in the flat.
Sources
- ASPCA: Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Catnip
- Bol S. et al.: Responsiveness of cats to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian and catnip, BMC Veterinary Research 2017
- Reichert W. et al.: Repellency Assessment of Nepeta cataria Essential Oils and Isolated Nepetalactones on Aedes aegypti, Scientific Reports 2019
- Melo N. et al.: The irritant receptor TRPA1 mediates the mosquito repellent effect of catnip, Current Biology 2021
- US EPA: Refined oil of Nepeta cataria – fact sheet
Updated: 27 September 2026
Author: Jana Vránová, editorial name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we list for every article.