These videos show the moment a cat losing control over catnip after breaking into a pet shop.

The playful pet is seen scratching and pawing at the colourful toys, knocking them off the shelf and on to the floor as the two women filming giggle with delight.

Overcome by the scent, the kitten nuzzles its face into the playthings before stretching out on the shelf.

A second video taken in the shop, which is believed to be in the Netherlands, shows the cat lying on the shop floor, surrounded by scattered catnip.

Experts aren't sure why catnip - a member of the mint family - has such a strong hold over cats, but it is thought it might mimic 'happy' pheromones and stimulate the receptors that respond to these.

Whatever the science behind the reaction, it is clear that this brown and black cat is very taken by the smell.

The first video, which has been posted online by YouTube user Pet's Place , starts with the cat crawling along the shelf as it tries to bury its head in the catnip toys.

It picks the spot with the most catnip and lies down before rolling around on the multi-coloured toys.

Out of control: The lost cat is seen nuzzling into the catnip toys after breaking into the pet shop

At one point the cat reaches out to play with another toy dangling overhead, but it quickly loses interest and returns to pawing at the catnip.

Apparently oblivious to the humans standing over it, the cat curls up and stretches out in the catnip - kicking its legs out playfully.

In one frenzied moment the kitty manages to push nearly all the toys off the shelf as the two women filming laugh and chatter behind the camera.

Relaxed: The second video shows the pet stretching out on the ground, surrounded by scattered catnip

The cat's playtime continues in a second, 21-second clip, which was posted by YouTube user kmlkmljkl.

It shows the cat on the floor next to the pile of toys it had pushed off the shelf.

The animal appears to be in a more relaxed state, lazily flicking and gnawing on the catnip.

According to SensualCat, the owner later came to take the cat home.