Not every cat responds to catnip. You may have bought a catnip toy only to have your cat look completely unimpressed. Silvervine is a different plant that can trigger playful behaviour in many cats, including some cats that show little interest in catnip.
What is silvervine?
Silvervine, Actinidia polygama, is a climbing plant native to parts of Asia. It contains scent compounds that many cats respond to. Typical reactions can include sniffing, rolling, face rubbing, licking and playful behaviour.
The response varies from cat to cat and is usually short-lived. Some cats react strongly, others subtly, and some do not respond at all.
Silvervine versus catnip
A 2017 study tested 100 domestic cats with several plant-based scent stimuli. Around 80% responded to silvervine and around 68% to catnip. Interestingly, a large proportion of cats that did not respond to catnip did respond to silvervine.
That makes silvervine interesting if catnip does very little for your cat. It does not mean silvervine is guaranteed to work for every cat. Sensitivity to these plants is individual.
What does a cat do when it responds?
Common behaviours include rubbing the face against the material, rolling, licking, holding it and playing. These actions are part of the characteristic response to scent compounds in silvervine.
A 2026 study in which cats were free to choose also found that, on average, cats showed a stronger preference for silvervine than catnip for this self-anointing behaviour. That is still an average: your own cat may have a completely different favourite.
Is silvervine addictive?
There is no evidence that the typical response works like an addiction. In a 2023 study using dried silvervine leaves, prolonged exposure did not produce behavioural signs suggesting dependence. That study involved leaves and controlled exposure, however, not every type of commercial chew product.
As with any toy, supervision is sensible. Check chew sticks for damage and remove loose or sharp pieces.
Why are silvervine sticks different from powder alone?
A stick combines scent with a physical object a cat can hold, lick, sniff and chew. In addition to the scent response, it can therefore function as a form of enrichment play.
Wandersnout's Mika Silvervine Chew Sticks combine natural silvervine with sisal and raffia. They are available in several pack sizes and as an extra-thick XL stick.
How do you introduce silvervine?
Place the stick in a calm spot and let your cat investigate at its own pace. There is no need to push it towards their nose or try to force a reaction. Some cats respond immediately, while others take time to explore the object first.
After use, you can put the toy away and offer it again later. This keeps the experience varied and gives you a chance to inspect the condition of the stick.
Silvervine or catnip: which should you choose?
There is no need to declare one universal winner. Catnip is familiar and works for many cats. Silvervine also reaches many cats and can be especially interesting when catnip gets no response. In the end, the individual cat decides what is appealing.
