What does catnip do to cats? Does it really get your cat high? Here's the lowdown on what catnip is and why it affects your cat.

Most — but not all — cats can get loopy and happy from catnip. Here's why that happens and how to give it to your cat safely.

How Does It Affect Your Cat? Many experts believe that this chemical (nepetalactone) acts as a feline attractant and triggers the response.

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.

Does catnip really get your kitty high? Here's what catnip does to cats—and why they are crazy about it.

Catnip drives her wild and seems to give a wonderful euphoric feeling, whether it is sprinkled around her or buried within an unsuspecting toy. But, why exactly does catnip have this effect on her?

The compound that plays the biggest role in the so-called catnip effect in domestic cats is produced in specialized glands in catnip's leaves and flowers and is called nepetalactone, said Jim ...

So, how does catnip work? Nepetalactone, one of catnip's volatile oils, enters the cat's nasal tissue, where it is believed to bind to protein receptors that stimulate sensory neurons.

Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how and why cats love catnip, but they do have a few ideas. “It’s theorized that cats feel a sense of euphoria, or extreme happiness followed ...