Catnip contains nepetalactone, an essential oil found in the catnip plant. Here's how it affects your cat and why it makes them feel so good.

After those two hours a cat can be affected by catnip again. Not all cats exhibit the same effects from catnip, with about 20 percent not being attracted to the plant, according to Petmate.

But all cat species can be affected by it, even big cats, who react to it similarly to house cats. The London Zoo has sprinkled catnip around its lion enclosure to encourage its lions to move around.

Why do we think it's OK to give concentrated catnip to intoxicate a pet, and then be amused by the 'intoxicated' behavior?

Catnip turns fearsome felines into drooling balls of fluff. But how? This week, Science with Sam explains why cats love catnip ...

"With other cats, I use treats to make them a model for me and sometimes I also like to use kitty drugs like valerian, catnip, or silver vine. You have to be very flexible and cater to the needs ...

The Cat Crack Catnip is a premium catnip blend that’s infused with maximum potency for ensuring your cat has the craziest, best play time, or some much-needed relaxation from their anxiety.

A version of this article appears in print on June 21, 2022, Section D, Page 2 of the New York edition with the headline: Claws and Effect: How Cats Make the Most Of Their Catnip High.

Cats can look pretty wild when they’re on a catnip high – and photographer Andrew Marttila has spent the last six years capturing those crazy moments.