Surprisingly, some cats are totally unaffected by catnip. However, most cats when they get a whiff of catnip, completely lose their minds and flip out as if drugged. Nepetalactone oil, which is found in the leaves of catnip, can cause behavioral changes as the scent is carried to the brains of a cat from pathways in their nose and mouth.
When cats smell catnip, they meow, flip over, and completely zone out. Just keep in mind that too much catnip can cause dizziness, diarrhea, trouble walking or vomiting in your pet so let your cat indulge in catnip sparingly.
To learn more about catnip and its effect on cats, click here.