Catnip spray is a great alternative to traditional dried catnip for several reasons. It’s mess-free, and it’s easier to apply to cat furniture. Therefore, catnip sprays are often a superior option to training cats to use scratching posts instead of scratching furniture.
Even within catnip sprays, there are many kinds of formulas. To help you get a better idea of what kinds of sprays are available, we’ve produced reviews of some of the best catnip sprays on the market.
However, before we get started, keep in mind that only cats that have an affinity for dried catnip can also experience the benefits of catnip sprays. Cats’ reactions to catnip are mainly due to genetics, so switching up the form of the catnip won’t make nonreactive cats suddenly feel the effects of catnip.
We’ve named KONG Naturals Catnip Spray as the best overall catnip spray for several reasons. The manufacturer harvests premium North American catnip at the peak of potency. Then, they steam-distill the plant to extract a pure and potent catnip oil. All the ingredients also come from renewable resources.
The bottle also has a high-quality design that makes spraying easy and mess-free. You can apply the catnip spray on different toys to encourage play. However, it’s particularly effective for addressing scratching behaviors. Spray it on scratching poles and other desirable surfaces to deter your cat from scratching furniture.
This catnip spray is also an affordable option compared to its competitors, and it’s safe for cats of all ages. Many cats love this catnip spray, but it has an inconsistent level of effectiveness. Some cats can experience the effects for a long time, while the effects wear off within minutes for other cats.
The Multipet Catnip Garden Mist Spray contains 100% real catnip, and cats can’t resist the alluring formula. It comes in a 4-ounce bottle, which is significantly larger than the average 1 to 2-ounce bottles that most catnip sprays come in. The price range of this catnip spray is typically lower than its competitors, making this the best catnip spray for the money that you pay.
We also like the design of the bottle because it has a spray that’s easy to use. The spray applicator also spreads the catnip formula evenly. Although the formula isn’t pure catnip oil, it still has a powerful effect on most cats so that they enjoy an extended period of fun.
Organic catnip oil, hydrogenated castor oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, water
The SmartyKat Catnip Mist Spray may come in a tiny bottle, but a little goes a long way. It has a powerful formula containing 100% certified organic catnip that attracts cats of all ages to engage in active play. Cats will have an extra-entertaining playtime experience with this powerful formula.
The bottle also has a high-quality spray applicator that’s easy to use and doesn’t deteriorate quickly over time. The formula also contains safe ingredients that help it stay well-incorporated and prevent clogging in the spray applicator.
You can also rest assured in knowing that you’re making purchases from an eco-friendly company. All of SmartyKat’s products aim to choose environmentally responsible manufacturing and production methods and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Many kittens don’t take to catnip until they’re older. However, there are some outliers that may enjoy the effects of catnip. If you have such a kitten, it’s important to use high-quality catnip sprays since kittens are still in developmental and growing stages.
Therefore, Meowijuana Catnip Spray is perfect for kittens because it uses a simple formula with 100% organic catnip grown in the US. The spray only contains catnip oil and purified water, so you don’t have to worry about your kitten rolling around in any chemicals.
The catnip used in this formula is harvested at the highest point of oil production, which makes the catnip spray very fragrant and enticing to your kittens.
Although the formula is effective with most kittens, many customers have experienced issues with the spray applicator. It can deteriorate relatively quickly and start shooting out a stream of catnip rather than an even mist. Therefore, it’s especially important to shake the bottle before using it so that the catnip oil and water are well-incorporated.
From the Field is a family-owned business that’s very thoughtful with its method of producing its From the Field Catnip Spray. It uses high-quality 100% pure catnip essential oils harvested from catnip grown in Washington state. Farmers harvest the plant by hand to ensure that each plant is at peak potency.
Customers will also appreciate that the catnip spray bottles are sustainably made and the company uses earth-friendly practices to manufacture its products.
This product only contains catnip essential oils and distilled water, but the proportions in the formula are unclear. Some cat owners have reported that the formula doesn’t have a significant fragrance and that their cats didn’t really notice it, while others have had cats that are extremely attracted to the smell.
The Pet MasterMind I Love Catnip! uses 100% premium catnip grown in Canada that entices even the pickiest of cats. It uses a coconut-based emulsifier, which is completely safe for cats. The formula is also paraben-free, so you don’t have to worry about your cat coming in contact with any chemicals or artificial preservatives.
Overall, this formula allows you to stay worry-free about clogging the spray applicator because the emulsifier keeps everything well-blended. So, if you accidentally use the spray without shaking the bottle first, it’s not too big of a deal.
The spray bottle itself works great and has an even spray. However, several users have noted that the spray applicator wears down fairly quickly and starts to leak.
Catit Senses Liquid Catnip Spray only contains pure catnip oil. Every bottle has a potent concentrated extract of catnip oil. All you need is one application to let this spray take into effect. Cats are extremely attracted to this spray, and if you spray it onto old toys, it can renew your cat’s interest in them.
The spray bottle also has a high-quality spray applicator, so you’ll have a nice even spray every time you use the product.
Just keep in mind that the spray only works after immediate application, so make sure that your cats are nearby when you use it. The catnip oil quickly loses its effect as it dries.
Pet Craft Supply Premium Potent Catnip is an irresistible catnip spray that contains natural organic catnip oil. Farmers harvest the catnip at the peak of the season when the plant is most aromatic and potent. It also doesn’t contain any chemicals, so it’s completely safe for cats, especially for kittens.
This catnip spray is also a great value because it comes in a large 8-ounce spray bottle, and the price is typically more affordable than competitive brands. This includes brands that don’t use organic catnip oil. Therefore, this catnip spray is a great fit for homes with multiple cats.
One thing to keep in mind is that before you use this catnip, make sure to shake the bottle well. Since the formula doesn’t contain an emulsifier, you can end up spraying just water onto your cats’ toys and furniture.
Munchiecat Organic Catnip Spray uses organic catnip and mixes it with purified water to provide a strong and clean formula for your cats. The spray bottle only holds one ounce of product, but it’s a powerful formula. So, all you need is one spray for your cats to experience the benefits of catnip.
Many cats will enjoy a fun playtime and then enter into a relaxed state afterward. The effects of the spray can last between 30 minutes to an hour of play.
This catnip spray tends to be more expensive than other sprays, but you’re guaranteed high-quality, safe ingredients.
Smokey’s Stash Catnip Spray only uses organic and natural ingredients in its catnip spray. It’s safe for cats of all ages, and even kittens can enjoy the effects of the spray.
We also appreciate the convenient design of the spray bottle. The bottle is lean and easy to grip so that it’s a hassle-free experience when you apply the spray onto any toy and surface.
If you have a particularly picky cat, you can try using Smokey’s Stash’s bundle, which contains its catnip spray and regular dried catnip. This bundle can increase the chances of attracting your cats and training them to stop scratching furniture.
Because of the quality ingredients used in this spray, it tends to be relatively expensive. As many cat owners know, cats can be picky about their catnip. Therefore, it’s a bit of a gamble to invest in this spray without being certain that your cat will like it.
Pros
Organic catnip
Only contains natural ingredients
Ergonomic bottle design
Cons
Relatively expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Purchasing the Best Catnip Spray
For the most part, shopping for catnip sprays is a simple and straightforward process. However, there are some key details to keep in mind as you’re looking around.
Organic Catnip vs. Non-Organic Catnip
Organic catnip ensures that the catnip used in the formulas doesn’t contain any pesticides or other toxic chemicals. Non-organic catnip isn’t as regulated, so it’s unclear as to how these types are grown.
Organic catnip also tends to be more potent than non-organic catnip. It’s more potent because it contains higher levels of nepetalactone.
However, in all honesty, organic catnip doesn’t always equate to a superior formula. Sometimes, formulas may contain higher concentrations of other ingredients, so you end up with a diluted cat spray.
Also, if the manufacturer extracts the catnip essential oil through a distillation process, then the presence of pesticides and other chemicals is highly minimized. So, in this instance, non-organic catnip that went through a distillation process is relatively safe to use and free of harmful chemicals.
Therefore, when you purchase catnip sprays, it’s important to take a comprehensive look at all the ingredients in the formula rather than just select one simply because it uses organic catnip.
Distilled Water vs. Purified Water
Most catnip sprays with simple formulas contain just catnip oil and water. The water is present to help the formula pass through a spray nozzle without clogging up the applicator. The most common types of water that you can find in these formulas is distilled water or purified water.
Purified water removes any chemicals and harmful contaminants. However, it still contains minerals. Distilled water is a type of purified water that goes through an extra boiling process. Therefore, distilled water is free of chemicals, contaminants, and minerals.
Catnip oil combined with distilled water is supposed to produce a very potent formula. However, this isn’t always the case because the potency heavily depends on how much distilled water is used in proportion to the catnip oil.
Spray Bottle Quality
Similar to how traditional catnip needs a high-quality airtight container, catnip sprays also need a high-quality spray bottle. It’s an added benefit to find a bottle with a slim, ergonomic design to make spraying easy.
One of the best ways to find a good spray applicator is to read the product reviews. Look for any mentions of leaks and clogs.
To make sure that your bottle lasts a long time, always shake it thoroughly before spraying. This will help incorporate the ingredients to provide an even and potent spray. It will also help prevent your spray bottle from clogging.
Consistency and Concentration
Catnip sprays will have varying concentrations of catnip oil mixed with other ingredients, such as water and an emulsifier. These concentrations will cause the catnip spray to have different levels of effectiveness.
Therefore, the type of ingredients may indicate how safe and simple the formula is. However, it doesn’t completely ensure that the formula is potent or highly effective. Therefore, make sure that the catnip spray contains a decent amount of catnip oil and that it’s not overpowered by other ingredients.
Also, keep in mind that higher amounts of catnip oil don’t necessarily mean that the formula is better. Too much oil can clog spray applicators and stain furniture. Therefore, when you use a new formula, make sure to test it out on a rag or old toy to make sure it doesn’t damage the cloth.
Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock
Conclusion
Based on our reviews, the Kong Naturals Catnip Spray is the best overall catnip spray because it has one of the most potent formulas, and it comes in a well-designed bottle for long-lasting use. We also like the Meowijuana Catnip Spray for similar reasons, and it’s completely safe for kittens.
Catnip spray is a great alternative to dried catnip, especially if you’re trying to train a cat to use a scratching post. It’s also mess-free and easy to use. Therefore, it’s a win-win for both cat owners and cats, and it can provide many entertaining moments for everyone to enjoy.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
