You buy the catnip. You sprinkle it hopefully. Your cat sniffs once, looks at you, and walks away.
This is not a defective cat and it is not bad catnip. Roughly a third of cats have no catnip response at all, and it is inherited.
Meowijuana makes genuinely good catnip under a very silly name. It also sells the thing you should try when catnip does nothing.
- Roughly one third of cats have no response to catnip, and the trait is inherited rather than a sign of anything wrong.
- Meowijuana catnip is grown in North America and contains no THC or CBD.
- Catnip buds contain more of the active compound than leaf and stem, so bud jars are more potent per gram.
- Catnip’s effect is biphasic: sniffing it tends to stimulate a cat, while eating it tends to have a calming effect.
- Honeysuckle works through a different mechanism from catnip, so cats that ignore catnip often respond to it.
Our Top Picks
Meowijuana Jar of Organic Catnibas Catnip Buds, 20-g jar
Meowijuana Catnip Oil Honeysuckle Spray, 3-oz bottle
Meowijuana Jar of Catnibas Catnip Pawty Mix, 60-g jar
Meowijuana range compared
| Product | Best for | Size | Price | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meowijuana Jar of Organic Catnibas Catnip Buds, 20-g jar | Best overall | 20-g jar | $19.99 | Organic buds |
| Meowijuana Jar of Catnibas Catnip Pawty Mix, 60-g jar | Best value | 60-g jar | $15.99 | Pawty mix |
| Meowijuana Catnip Oil Honeysuckle Spray, 3-oz bottle | Best for non-responders | 3-oz spray | $11.99 | Honeysuckle |
| Meowijuana Mice Dreams Catnip, Passion Flower, & Lavender Blend Catnip, 0.917-oz bottle | Best calming blend | Jar | $11.49 | With lavender |
| Meowijuana Birthjays Party Sized Catnip Joints, 1 count | Best toy | 1 count | $13.99 | Catnip joint |
| Meowijuana Sprinkle ‘n’ Scratch Taco Scratcher Cat Toy | Best scratcher | Taco shape | $12.99 | Refillable |
Why a third of cats feel nothing
If your cat ignores catnip, nothing is wrong with either of you. The response is genetic, and a substantial minority of cats simply do not have it.
How it works. Catnip contains nepetalactone, which binds to receptors in a cat’s nasal tissue and triggers a response in the brain regions handling emotion and behaviour. Cats without the inherited trait have no reaction at all, no matter how fresh or potent the catnip is.
Two more groups that will not respond. Kittens under about three to six months usually show no reaction, and the trait can appear later. Some older cats respond less than they used to.
The effect is biphasic, which explains why owners describe opposite outcomes. Sniffing catnip generally stimulates: rolling, rubbing, vocalising, the occasional burst of zoomies. Eating it generally sedates: a cat who chews a pinch often settles and dozes. If you want calm rather than chaos, offer it to eat rather than to smell.
It also wears off. Most cats disengage after five to fifteen minutes and then become temporarily immune for an hour or two, so leaving catnip out permanently just wastes it and dulls the effect. Put it away between sessions.
What to use when catnip does nothing
This is the genuinely useful part, and it is why the honeysuckle spray earns its place in the range.
Honeysuckle works on a different compound and a different pathway from catnip. A cat with no catnip response will often react strongly to honeysuckle wood or spray, and the reverse is also true. It is the first thing to try before concluding your cat has no interest in play.
Silvervine is the other major alternative, widely used in Japan, and research suggests it reaches a higher proportion of cats than catnip does. Valerian is a third option. Between catnip, honeysuckle and silvervine, very few cats respond to none of them. If food is a stronger motivator for your cat than herbs, a high-value treat does the same job of building enthusiasm for play.
Why this matters beyond fun. Play is not optional for indoor cats. Obesity, boredom, over-grooming and inter-cat aggression all trace back partly to under-stimulation, and a plant that reliably triggers play is a practical tool for an indoor cat’s welfare rather than a novelty. The International Cat Care guidance on play covers why it matters and how much cats need.
On safety: catnip is not addictive and cats do not overdose on it in any meaningful sense, though eating a great deal can cause mild stomach upset. Meowijuana products contain no THC or CBD, which is worth stating plainly given the branding.
The 6 Meowijuana products, reviewed
Meowijuana Jar of Organic Catnibas Catnip Buds, 20-g jar: best overall
The jar of organic catnip buds, and the one to start with. Buds carry more of the active oil than leaf and stem, so you use less for a stronger response. The screw-top jar matters more than it sounds: catnip loses potency fast once air and light get at it.
Meowijuana Jar of Catnibas Catnip Pawty Mix, 60-g jar: best value
Three times the quantity for less money, as a leaf and bud mix rather than pure buds. Slightly less potent gram for gram, and the sensible everyday jar once you know your cat responds. Keep it sealed and out of sunlight.
Meowijuana Catnip Oil Honeysuckle Spray, 3-oz bottle: best for non-responders
Catnip oil with honeysuckle, and the most useful product here for a cat who ignores catnip. Honeysuckle works through a completely different mechanism, so a cat with no catnip response often reacts to it. This is the bottle to try before concluding your cat is simply not playful.
Meowijuana Mice Dreams Catnip, Passion Flower, & Lavender Blend Catnip, 0.917-oz bottle: best calming blend
Catnip blended with passion flower and lavender. Catnip’s effect is famously biphasic: sniffed it tends to stimulate, eaten it tends to sedate. A blend like this leans toward the settled end, which some owners prefer for evening play that does not end in 3am zoomies.
Meowijuana Birthjays Party Sized Catnip Joints, 1 count: best toy
A large rolled catnip toy, which is the brand leaning into its own joke. Underneath the packaging it is a decent kicker toy: cats grab it with the front paws and rabbit-kick with the back, which is real predatory play rather than just a laugh for you.
Meowijuana Sprinkle ‘n’ Scratch Taco Scratcher Cat Toy: best scratcher
A cardboard scratcher shaped like a taco that you sprinkle catnip into. Pairing catnip with a scratching surface is the standard trick for redirecting a cat away from the sofa arm, and it works far better than telling them off ever will.
Getting the most from a jar
- Store it sealed and dark. Nepetalactone degrades with air, light and heat. A screw-top jar in a cupboard keeps its strength for months; an open bag on a sunny shelf does not.
- Buds beat leaf and stem. The active oil concentrates in the buds, so you use less for a stronger response.
- Ration it. Offer catnip once or twice a week rather than daily, since constant exposure blunts the response.
- Use it with purpose. On a scratching post to redirect from furniture, in a carrier before a vet trip, or on a new bed a cat is avoiding.
- Refresh old toys with a sprinkle rather than buying new ones. Most cats reject a catnip toy because the catnip inside went stale, not because they are bored of the shape.
Who should buy Meowijuana
Buy the bud jar if your cat responds to catnip and you want a potent, well-stored product. The quality is genuinely good and the packaging protects it properly, which matters more than most people realise.
Buy the honeysuckle spray if your cat ignores catnip, before you give up on play entirely. Compare toy options in our treats guide for the reward side, and see Inaba Churu if what motivates your cat is food rather than herbs.
The bottom line on Meowijuana
Ridiculous name, real product. North American grown, no THC or CBD, sold in jars that actually preserve potency, with buds rather than dusty stem filler.
And if your cat is one of the third who feel nothing, that is genetics rather than a failure. Try the honeysuckle spray next. Start with Meowijuana Jar of Organic Catnibas Catnip Buds, 20-g jar. This article is educational rather than veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why doesn’t my cat react to catnip?
Roughly one third of cats have no catnip response, and the trait is inherited. Kittens under about three to six months also usually show no reaction, and may develop it later. It is not a sign that anything is wrong with your cat.
Q: Is Meowijuana good catnip?
Meowijuana is a good quality catnip brand grown in North America and free from THC and CBD. Its bud jars are more potent than leaf-and-stem mixes because the active compound concentrates in the buds.
Q: Does Meowijuana contain THC or CBD?
No. Despite the branding, Meowijuana products contain no THC or CBD. They are catnip and related plants such as honeysuckle, passion flower and lavender.
Q: What can I use if my cat ignores catnip?
Honeysuckle works through a different mechanism and often reaches cats that catnip does not. Silvervine is the other main alternative and research suggests it reaches a higher proportion of cats than catnip. Valerian is a third option.
Q: Does catnip calm cats or excite them?
Both, depending on how it is taken. Sniffing catnip tends to stimulate, producing rolling, rubbing and bursts of activity. Eating it tends to have a sedating effect. If you want a calmer response, offer it to eat rather than to smell.
Q: How often should I give my cat catnip?
Once or twice a week. Most cats disengage after five to fifteen minutes and are then temporarily unresponsive for an hour or two, so constant availability wastes the catnip and dulls the effect.
Q: Is catnip safe for cats?
Catnip is not addictive and cats do not meaningfully overdose on it, though eating a large quantity can cause mild stomach upset. Store it sealed and away from light, since the active compound degrades with air, heat and sunlight.
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