Hilarious pics of cats high on catnip ;-)

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

Glassy-eyed, tongues lolling and flat on their backs: The hilarious photos of felines 'high' on catnip sweeping social media

* Cat owners have uploaded hilarious pictures of their pets enjoying catnip
* Images show them struggling to contain their pleasure for the plant
* Scientists are unable to explain exactly why cats respond in this way

By Martha Cliff for MAIL ONLINE

PUBLISHED: 07:02 EST, 24 July 2015 | UPDATED: 13:20 EST, 24 July 2015

It's no secret that felines are fans of catnip, but this revealing set of photos document just how much they love it.

In the images uploaded by owners to social media, the cats showcase their uncontrollable pleasure for the plant - often causing a sizable mess.

While some of the cats are more subdued in their enjoyment and incapable of movement, others are wild-eyed and hyperactive.

Cat owners have been sharing hilarious pictures of their felines enjoying the effects of catnip

The photos, many of which appeared on Instagram and Facebook, show some of the moggies flat on their backs with their tongues lolling out.

The American Chemical Society explained last year that the high can last between 10 minutes to an hour, and around 70 per cent of cats are affected by the treat.

Catnip is made from a plant called nepeta cataria, closely related to mint and, as a result, is often called catmint.

Often the pictures feature the cats creating chaos with the psychoactive plant

Scientists have explained that the effects can last between 10 minutes to an hour, and around 70 per cent of cats are affected by the treat

The plant triggers a neurological response, similar to how cats react to sexual pheromones

However scientists are still unable to explain why it makes cats behave in this way

While some cats reacted quietly to the catnip others become incredibly hyperactive

Its psychoactive quality comes from a compound known as nepetalactone, which binds to the olfactory receptors in a cat’s nose.

This compound triggers a neurological response, similar to how cats react to sexual pheromones.

But scientists are not entirely sure what it is about nepetalactone that makes cats react in this way.

They do know that sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait, and research has also spotted similar responses in tigers and leopards.

Owners often capture the amusing expressions that the plant induces in their furry friends

It appears that this cat has had a fun afternoon as it struggles to open its eyes

In fact many of the cats appear to be struggling with their vision as this kitty demonstrates

Flat on its back, this cat appears to be relaxed and happy

Rather than simply sniff the catnip many of the cats choose to immerse themselves in it fully

This wild-eyed feline is struggling to contain its delight for its bag of catnip

While this kitty has decided to approach its tub of catnip head on

Yankee2000 · ‎03-25-2015

Awwwww! Cats are the funniest animals. I could watch cat videos on YouTube all day!

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

Oh my this is a fun, cute post!..lol. Thanks for posting all of the cat pics and info! We actually grow catnip in our yard for our 3 cats. We don't give it to them all the time, but when we do, oh boy! :-)

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

@Shorty2U wrote:
Oh my this is a fun, cute post!..lol. Thanks for posting all of the cat pics and info! We actually grow catnip in our yard for our 3 cats. We don't give it to them all the time, but when we do, oh boy! :-)

Enablers!!

LOL

Some cats react more strongly to dried catnip, others to fresh, and others equally to both.

About 30% of moggies don't feel anything at all.

What about your own three kitties?

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Another thing that used to get my Ma's cats going is green olives.

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

hennypenny · ‎03-10-2010

is it the green olive or what it was soaked in?

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

Henny, I don't know if it was the olive itself or what it was soaked in. Here's the brand we always eat.

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

@Bird mama wrote:
Henny, I don't know if it was the olive itself or what it was soaked in. Here's the brand we always eat.

See the tiny print on the very bottom towards the right?

It says: contains catnip (catmint) juice

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

All things considered, it's my experience that Cosmic Catnip produces the best high ..... LOL

anisa · ‎03-23-2010

I don't find these cat pictures hilarious, cute or funny. IMO, they are disturbing and sick. To allow your cat to get high on catnip, borders on animal cruelty. A cat having a psychedelic episode that you instigated in nothing to make a joke out of.