catnip for GP?

[pickles]

While in the pet store I noticed the live catnip display with a picture of a GP on the front. The display lists rodents on the list of animals that can eat the catnip. Just wondering if pigs can eat live catnip?

[newpig]

Catnip is just a herb - its part of the mint family and its proper name is Nepeta cataria. I checked my herb book and no reference to any hazards but it is written for human use, mint is fine for guinea pigs, as is balm to which this is also similar, but don't know specifically about catnip. Apparently is has a bitter, astringent taste so that might put piggys off it. Perhaps try using the latin name to see if you can find any more info on it.

[3piggles]

I was going to say what Newpig said, so that's covered. I think the effect it has on cats is truly a cat thing, and not a catnip thing. When I cats were still alive, there were catnip toys on the floor when the pigs were out for floor time. The pigs would sniff it and ignore it. It was dried catnip in cloth, but the pigs didn't try to eat it. Hey, why eat catnip when there are perfectly good electrical wires to eat.

[Pigjes]

Eating or exposure to large amounts can cause cats to vomit and have diarrhea. Catnip is considered toxic to birds, so it must be to piggies as well.

[Jeannine]

I have 3 cats and a lot of catnip around - wild, dried, and store bought. My female cats don't go as insane for it as my male cats did. Willie & Charlie (Rainbow Bridges) would chew your hand off if you touched the plant. My vacuum cleaner dog Indy has eaten catnip with out any adverse affect - but I think she could eat broken glass and be fine (not that I would ever let her eat broken glass).

Perhaps the container the catnip is sold in is also used for grass - "Cat Grass" is also marketed towards birds to nibble on, perhaps GP's, Rabbits and Rodents too; hence photo of a pig on it.

As for greens GP’s can eat there seems to be a lot of contradictions in information out there.
For example I have found that Strawberry greens are good, yet told they were toxic
Clover is good, and bad
Apples are good, but avoid apples
Mint is good, but my girls would rater not eat mint
…it is very confusing

[Pigjes]

Some items are sold for pigs and are not good. So far, manufacturers were not capable to do the right thing and stop selling them. Stuff like mineral licks, mineral snacks, running balls, harnesses, can kill pigs, but are sold for them. Tempting for anyone who doesn't know, with a beautiful looking piggie being happy on the wrapper. Think of all the store bought treats in the shape os sticks, covered in honey and bird seeds: fattening, useless and still they keep selling them.

Toxicity is not always something that means "you eat it, you drop dead". That can be the case, but often it's a process of some years of accumulation of toxins. Pigs can be fine eating something, but it stays in the liver or body fat till it reaches a critical mass and then the pig gets ill. Or the toxins start to work more and more, as more is consumed.

Yellow clover is toxic, white and purple isn't. That's hard to determine when you are picking herbs. When I'm in doubt, I don't pick it.

Apples can give mouth sores, that's a different issue, so moderation is the key.

[3piggles]

I had a vacuum dog, lol. We called him Hoover, so I know what you mean about them eating anything and everything. I agree with Pigjes that the toxicity is often built up over time or requires certain amounts to have an immediate effect, so it's better to just limit piggies to what we totally know is safe for them.

I had catnip in the garden at our last house, and our male cat would practically live in the plant. He got all kooky over the dried catnip in toys, but just loved that plant in the garden without getting all kooky over it.

[Hi Lovely Guinea Pigs]

Many pet owners wonder can guinea pigs eat catnip? Catnip, catswort, and catmint are all called Nepeta cataria. Catnip is just a herb - The plant belongs to the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae. The catnip plant is native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and some parts of China. You can also include Northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America in the mix. This plant is not good for your piggie and should be avoided if possible as it may cause stomach upset if digested. You could read article "can guinea pigs eat catnip?" for more details.