This photographer made an entire coffee table book filled with cats ‘high’ on catnip

Instagram, iamthecatphotographer

Cats are known to go cuckoo for catnip. But until now, this adorably funny phenomenon has not gotten the attention it deserves.

Enter photographer Andrew Marttila. One day Marttila noticed his roommate’s cat Grendel striking the funniest poses and making the cutest faces while “high” on catnip. This gave him an idea.

Marttila began photographing his roommate’s kitty, and the pictures were so epic he knew he needed to find other kitty models. And so armed, with nothing other than a bunch of catnip and a camera, Marttila set out to make the world’s first coffee book featuring cats high on catnip. And of course, none other than his original inspiration, Grendel, made the cover:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkNa0RYHyzJ/?taken-by=iamthecatphotographer

How cute! Every cat lover is going to want a copy of this coffee table gem. Here’s another catnip photo from Marttel’s Instagram feed:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYDEj-HMIk/?taken-by=iamthecatphotographer

And we’re loving the look on this cat’s face:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj5Smn7Hmg_/?taken-by=iamthecatphotographer

Marttila doesn’t just love to photograph kitties. He also devotes time to helping cats in need. He fosters homeless cats and helps to socialize them, even going so far as to keep his facial hair specifically for the cats’ pleasure. As he explains below, “And this is why I’ll never be clean shaven. Beards mimic their mom’s tongue!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkddRbHnoo_/?taken-by=iamthecatphotographer

Who knew?

Martilla says he gets his love of animals from his father, saying, “He’s probably the reason why I have such a big heart for animals. Some of my favorite memories are watching “nature shows” with him and my sister as a kid.”

How sweet.

This is not the first time Marttila has found the funny in cats. His first book, “Shop Cats of New York,” is a play on the humorous and inspirational Humans of New York, a photoblog and book that captures the spirit and humanity of New Yorkers.

Marttila, along with author and cat blogger Tamar Arslanian, put their own spin on this idea by photographing “shop cats,” the cats who live in some of New York’s most infamous landmarks and places of interest.

“Cats on Catnip” is available in hardcover on Amazon for $13.64, or you can get a Kindle version for $9.99.

Animals, Entertainment, Music, News, Pets

Related posts

A gray cat lies on an open book.
This library will let you pay your fines with cat pictures
angry black cat on pink background
Pay to have a feral cat neutered in honor of your ex at shelter's Valentine event
kitten looking up at camera
Human foods that are safe for your cat to eat
three images of Gaia the black-footed cat
This zoo's newest resident may be adorable—but she's also the world's deadliest cat

About the Author
Bridget Sharkey
Bridget Sharkey is a freelance writer covering pop culture, beauty, food, health and nature.

From our partners