Research Articles

See the Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research Studies

DankNips pet treats are 100% natural, safe, and effective. Every ingredient we include is selected because of its proven beneficial effects and safety. Below are the peer-reviewed scientific research articles that form the basis of DankNips’ claims, along with our plain-language interpretation.

These studies inform DankNips product development. That includes which plant ingredients to choose, what form the ingredient should take, and the recommended dosage for maximum safety and efficacy.

Study 1: Responsiveness of cats to silvervine and catnip

Bol, S., Caspers, J., Buckingham, L. et al. Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC Vet Res 13, 70 (2017).

Study 2: The characteristic response of domestic cats to plant iridoids

Uenoyama, R., The characteristic response of domestic cats to plant iridoids allows them to gain chemical defence against mosquitoes. Sci. Adv.7, eabd9135 (2021).

Study 3: Cats prefer silvervine to catnip for self-anointing

Uenoyama, R., Miyazaki, T., Ooka, S. et al. Free-Roaming and Captive Cats Prefer Silver Vine to Catnip for Self-Anointing. J Chem Ecol 52, 43 (2026).

Study 4: Assessing the safety and suitability of using silvervine

Uenoyama, R., Ooka, S., Miyazaki, T., Mizumoto, H., Nishikawa, T., Hurst, J. L., Miyazaki, M. Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats. iScience, Volume 26, Issue 10 (2023).

Study 5: Active and passive responses to catnip

Luz Teresa Espín-Iturbe, Bernardo A. López Yañez, Apolo Carrasco García, Rodolfo Canseco-Sedano, Maribel Vázquez-Hernández, Genaro A. Coria-Avila. Active and passive responses to catnip (Nepeta cataria) are affected by age, sex and early gonadectomy in male and female cats. Behavioural Processes, Volume 142, Pages 110-115, ISSN 0376-6357 (2017).

Study 6: Seaweed as a nutrient supporting oral health

Gawor J, Jank M. Ascophyllum nodosum as a nutrient supporting oral health in dogs and cats: a review. Pol J Vet Sci. Sep 20;26 (2023).

The findings?

Silvervine (also known by its Japanese name “matatabi”) is preferred by cats and affects more cats than catnip. Catnip is more widely-known but less effective than silvervine. Neither plant is toxic to cats, and dried leaf is the safest and most efficacious way to serve it to cats for them to sniff and perhaps eat if they so desire. Olfactory enrichment (we call “sensory sessions”) provide benefits for both pets and owners, promoting pet wellbeing and bonding.

Sensory Sessions for Pet Enrichment and Bonding