Silvervine (matatabi): the catnip alternative for cats who don't respond to it
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
A cat that stays completely unmoved by a catnip toy isn't "broken": sensitivity to catnip is hereditary and missing in roughly a third of cats, as well as in most kittens under three months old. For those cats, silvervine (matatabi, Actinidia polygama), a Japanese vine related to kiwi, offers a second chance. A study published in Science Advances showed that silvervine contains different iridoids from catnip, including nepetalactol, capable of triggering the same euphoric response in cats that are insensitive to classic catnip. Find our other enrichment ideas in the toys and enrichment section.
Contents · 4 sections
A higher response rate than catnip
Behavioural trials cited in this Japanese study indicate that roughly 80 to 90% of cats respond to silvervine, compared with 60 to 70% for catnip, and that the response appears even in some cats already unresponsive to catnip. The researchers put forward an intriguing functional hypothesis: these iridoids may also act as a natural mosquito repellent when the cat rubs its face against them, a benefit that goes beyond simple play.
Which forms to use
Silvervine comes as raw wooden sticks to chew, as a powder to sprinkle on a scratcher or cat tree, or blended into plush toys. The sticks have the advantage of lasting several weeks and contributing to natural tooth wear while chewing. To channel this excitement toward a useful surface rather than the furniture, pair silvervine with a scratching post suited to your cat's scratching behaviour.
Frequency and precautions
As with catnip, the effect fades after about ten minutes, and an over-stimulated cat can become indifferent for a few hours. Reserve silvervine for two or three uses a week to preserve its drawing power, particularly to encourage the use of new equipment or to relax a stressed cat before a difficult moment. The plant is neither addictive nor toxic at usual doses, but a cat that chews a stick down to swallowed splinters in large quantity deserves monitoring; when in doubt, a vet remains the right person to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Does silvervine really work better than catnip?
On overall response rate, yes, and above all it reaches some cats that are completely insensitive to catnip, making it a good complement rather than a mere substitute.
Can silvervine and catnip be combined on the same toy?
Yes, some manufacturers combine them precisely to maximise the odds of a reaction regardless of the cat's genetic profile.
From what age can a kitten be exposed to it?
Sensitivity to these iridoids generally only appears after 3 to 6 months: there is no point offering silvervine to a very young kitten who won't react to it yet.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Automatic tail ball for cats (€17.90) · the whole shop
See it at Le Félin, a shop from the same family (zero commission): Arbre à chat cactus (from €149.99)
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.