Yes — safe in moderation
Yes — catnip is safe to smell AND eat. The famous “high” comes from sniffing; eating it tends to mellow cats instead. It’s non-addictive and you can’t realistically overdose a cat on it.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains nepetalactone, which triggers the rolling, rubbing, zoomies response in roughly two-thirds of cats (it’s genetic; kittens under ~6 months don’t respond). Sniffed, it stimulates; eaten, it usually acts as a mild sedative. It is not a drug in the harmful sense — no addiction, no withdrawal, no organ damage. Eating a large amount of fresh or dried catnip can cause brief vomiting or diarrhoea, which resolves on its own. Sessions are self-limiting: cats lose interest after 10–15 minutes and need a break before it works again.
A pinch of dried catnip on a scratcher or toy, or a fresh leaf or two, a few times a week is plenty. If your cat is one of the few who gets aggressive rather than playful on catnip, just skip it — or try silvervine, the popular alternative.
Silvervine and valerian root are well-loved alternatives for catnip-immune cats.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something potentially harmful or shows symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Full disclaimer.