Catnip safe for pregnant cats?

Question
QUESTION: i just found out my cat is pregnant and i was wondering if it was safe to give her catnip???????

ANSWER: Hi Crystal,

Catnip is an aromatic perennial herb native to Europe and now naturalized within the United States and Canada.  It is a member of the mint family (Labiatae), and is a distant relative to marijuana.  The active ingredient is an essential oil known as nepetalactone which is found is both the leaves and the stems.  Interestingly catnip can have varying effects depending upon the method of intake; when sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, and when ingested, it acts as a sedative.  Also interesting is that only about 50% of cats are able to enjoy its effects, which presumable has to do with an inherited autosomal gene.  At any rate, nepetalactone produces a hallucinogenic effect, in which is is believed that "feel good" pheromones are released such as those released during courtship/mating producing the temporary high.  The visible effects vary from cat to cat which seems to only correlate based on what specific chemicals in the brain are released--some drool and roll around, some become hyperactive and playful, and others become quite aggressive.  Obviously if you have the latter, do not provide it catnip.  

As for pregnancy, studies have shown that catnip has adverse effects, namely causing abortion and its uterine stimulating activities.  Several articles I have read also indicate that it is not good for kittens, which should logically relate to their still developing brain, so I would definitely advise cat owners to never provide catnip in any form to pregnant or nursing females nor kittens less than 6 months old.

Might I ask if there is a particular reason why your cat is not spayed?  Breeding should only be done be an experienced breeder that does extensive genetic testing and selective breeding of the best mates of show-quality purebred animals. There are so many complications that can arise, not to mention as well as the physical and immune stress that it puts on the female, as well as the fact that she might have dystocia and die as a result of complications from the birth. There are so many health and behavioral benefits to spaying, including but not limited to the prevention of cancer, better nutritional and immune health, lack of bleeding, and decreased aggression.  If you allow your cat to go outside at all,  with 4 million pets euthanized each year, spaying/neutering is the only responsible option. I hope this helped, and I wish you all the best.

Best regards,
Holly Martin

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QUESTION: dear holly,
It is crystal again and the reason why my cat was not spayed is beacuse we never did think about it about, but my cat has had her kittens.She had 4 kitten and she is a first time mother and was woundering if you had any tips.

Answer
Tips regarding what specifically??  As long as she is nursing them and you have them in a room indoors, she should be doing fine.  Do not wean them/find them homes until they are 8 weeks old, and then, I recommend taking them to your local shelter.  Shelters have trained adoption counselors to ensure that each kitten goes to the right home where they will be taken care of for the rest of their lives.  I DO NOT recommend for people to try to find homes themselves, as they usually wind up unaltered and with people that consider them disposable as they were a 'gift'.  Adoption is a serious commitment that entails usually 10-20 years if you are lucky.  I wish you the best.