Is Catnip Safe for Dogs?
Yes and no. The amount of catnip inside most toys will likely have no effect, as the amount of plant material contained in a typical cat toy should not interfere with digestion. If the toy is broken open, and the cloth surrounding the catnip pieces is swallowed, the small size of the foreign cloth material will generally pass through the dog’s intestines without producing blockage.
What is dangerous about giving a small catnip toy to a dog is that the size of these toys is suited to cats only. Giving small toys of any type to dogs is dangerous because they may be able to swallow them whole, greatly increasing the potential for choking.
Toys that are safe for dogs are large and well constructed so that they are not easily chewed apart. They do not have loose hanging pieces that can break or be pulled off, are made of non-toxic materials and have smooth rather than sharp margins. Larger dogs require larger toys than smaller breeds. Some of the toys are now even designed to help the dog clean their teeth when chewed.