Catnip fix

In the presence of catnip, cats eat the flowers and they rub, sniff and chew the leaves. Cats are strangely addicted to this fragrant herb and they return to it again and again. Its aromatic oils make them frisky and playful, but as they fall deeper under its influence, they roll around and seem to chase imaginary mice. This odd behaviour is triggered by chemicals resembling those in tomcat urine. It affects both sexes. Cats inherit this sensitivity to catnip and over three quarters are affected in some way.