Is There Anything Better Than Fresh Catnip? Oreo Doesn’t Think So!

If you have ever wondered whether fresh catnip is really that much better than the dried stuff, our cat Oreo & Beans would like to offer their expert opinion: absolutely!

The other day, we brought out some of the catnip we harvested last year and decided to let Oreo and Beans have a little sniff. The moment Oreo caught a whiff of it, she completely lost her marbles. One second she was her usual adorable self, and the next she was rolling around, rubbing her face on everything, purring like crazy, and acting like she had just discovered the greatest thing in the world.

Watching her reaction was both hilarious and heartwarming. She looked happier than I have ever seen her, soaking up every bit of joy that little plant had to offer. There was no hesitation whatsoever. Oreo was immediately in love.

A few things some cats enjoy just as much—or even more—than fresh catnip:

• Silver vine – Many cats who respond to catnip go absolutely wild for silver vine, and even some cats that don’t react to catnip will respond to it.
• Valerian root – Has a strong smell that humans often find unpleasant, but some cats become very playful and excited from it.
• Tatarian honeysuckle wood – Another cat-safe plant that can create a similar euphoric response.
• Fresh cat grass (wheat, oat, or barley grass) – Doesn’t create the same euphoric reaction, but many cats love nibbling it for digestive enrichment.

Image Credit

Fresh catnip contains natural oils that are often more potent than what you find in dried catnip. For cats that respond to it, the scent can trigger feelings of excitement, happiness, and playfulness. Some cats zoom around the house, some become incredibly affectionate, and others simply melt into a puddle of bliss. Oreo seemed to do a little bit of everything.

If you’ve ever watched your cat go absolutely unhinged over a pinch of catnip, you already know it feels a little like magic. The good news is you don’t need to keep buying expensive little tins of it from the pet store. With a bit of effort, you can harvest and dry your own catnip at home—and essentially give your cats free enrichment for months at a time.

Step 1: Grow or Find Healthy Catnip Plants

Catnip is a hardy, fast-growing herb that thrives in gardens, pots, and even neglected corners of your yard. Once it matures, it produces fragrant leaves that cats love. The best time to harvest is just before it flowers, when the oils are strongest.

Step 2: Harvest the Leaves and Stems

Using clean scissors, cut healthy stems about 4–6 inches long. Try to avoid any yellowing or damaged leaves. You can harvest quite a bit at once, but leave enough plant behind so it continues to grow back.

Step 3: Bundle and Hang to Dry

Gather your cuttings into small bundles and tie them together with string or elastic. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight. A pantry, garage, or airy closet works well. Drying usually takes 1–2 weeks.

Step 4: Strip and Store

Once the leaves are crisp and crumble easily between your fingers, remove them from the stems. Store the dried catnip in an airtight jar or container, preferably somewhere cool and dark to preserve potency.

Step 5: Treat Time

Sprinkle a small pinch on scratching posts, toys, or blankets, or stuff it into DIY cat toys. A little goes a long way—cats don’t need much to get their happy zoomies going.

Why It’s So Worth It

A single healthy catnip plant can produce multiple harvests in a season. That means you could easily supply your cats for months—sometimes longer—for essentially $0 after the initial plant investment. No more overpriced store-bought bags, no additives, just pure homegrown happiness for your pets.

It’s one of those simple little homestead-style wins that feels extra satisfying: you grow it once, harvest it carefully, and your cats get endless joy out of something completely natural.

Of course, after all that excitement, she was ready for a snack. We gave her a generous scoop of her kitty herbs, and she happily settled in to enjoy every bite. It was clear she was having the time of her life.

As pet owners, we are always looking for simple ways to enrich our pets’ lives and keep them happy. Fresh catnip turned out to be one of the easiest and most entertaining treats we have ever offered. Not only did Oreo have a blast, but we also got to enjoy watching her personality shine through in the funniest ways.

So, is there anything better than fresh catnip? According to Oreo, the answer is probably no. Unless, of course, someone invents catnip-flavored pizza. Then we might have a serious contender for first place. Beans enjoys catnip once in a while but rarely acts silly, she is much too dignified for such behaviour. 

For now, Oreo is perfectly content with her fresh catnip, her kitty herbs, and plenty of cuddles. And honestly, watching her enjoy the simple things in life is enough to make us smile too.