Meowt of it
They lounge around regally on sofas and beds putting in a gruelling daily schedule of snoozing, grooming and eating delicacies prepared by pampering owners.
Yes, there’s no doubt most cats lead anything but a dog’s life.
But feed them a dose of catnip – a plant which gives their brains a euphoric “high” lasting up to 20 minutes – and you see a much pottier side to their behaviour.
Professional animal photographer Andrew Marttila has taken a series of shots for a new book which shows just how much the herb leaves mogs feeling out of it.
The experience seems to be a confusing one for four-year-old Miss Raspberry, while six-month-old Goblin is seen tucking into more of the plant in the book.
A 14-year-old called Tim looks like he has just keeled over, while ginger tabby Rusty, 16, and four-year-old Fia appear to be glassy-eyed.
Andrew says: “I graduated with a degree in neuroscience but I never imag- ined it would evolve into exploring the neuro-effects of catnip. Most of us would agree that cats are regal creatures. “But if you believe they are nothing but grace and sophistication then you’ve probably never seen one on catnip.” Catnip, which is part of the same family as mint, grows in the wild in many parts of the world. The bulbs, stems and leaves all contain an oil called nepetalactone, which is what gives cats such a buzz. Once the moggies munch, crush or roll on the plant, the oil inside it affects the parts of their brains which control emotions and behaviour. Andrew says: “Catnip is non-addictive and harmless and provides a temporary respite from your cat’s gruelling workload of napping all day.” Along with his partner Hannah Shaw, who is known as the Kitten Lady by her many social media fans, Andrew rescues and devotedly raises orphan kitties. Many of the cats he has fostered and adopted are captured in his catnip snaps. ■■Cats on Catnip is published by Robinson in hardback on September 6, priced at £9.99.