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.

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.

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.

"The most common ways cats react to catnip include running, rolling, rubbing, flipping, playing, and eventually relaxing. This response typically lasts for 10 minutes," states Dr. Crow.

There's a very scientific reason cats go wild for catnip, and it's all about smell.

New research has given scientists a big clue about how catnip produces its intoxicating chemical. And they believe that catnip, once reserved for cats, could one day help humans fight cancer.

There's a very scientific reason cats go wild for catnip, and it's all about smell.

There's a very scientific reason cats go wild for catnip, and it's all about smell.