Frequently Asked Questions

The scent of these plants arouses their scent receptors. Some speculate it mimics feline pheromones but the evolutionary purpose of the scent of the plants is to repel mosquitoes, and it incidentally happens to attract cats and stimulate endorphins, encourage play, and when rubbed on their fur it also repels mosquitoes, just like the plant does to protect itself from pests.

Our Catnip is sourced from the United States of America. It is USDA Certified Organic so you know our catnip is free from pesticides and herbicides, and has been farmed in a healthy non-toxic environment for the workers. The certification means it was grown, handled and processed according to strict standards good enough for human consumption.

Our Matatabi/silver vine is sourced from China. Endemic to East Asia, we source ours from People’s Republic of China where it is farmed, harvested, and processed.

Our seaweed is sourced from Canada where it is farmed, harvested, and processed. It grows best and plentifully in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.

See the product page and back of the packet for the most accurate up to date information regarding our ingredients.

We carefully design and test our products for maximum efficacy while ensuring safety and sustainability. We base our ingredients on multiple studies showing the plants are beneficial for cats, and that cats prefer silvervine when given the choice. These studies also proved that the plants enhance and enrich the lives of all domestic cats even if they don’t appear to react dramatically; sometimes the plant simply invokes a state of deep relaxation and bliss and the cat will assume the “sphinx pose” rather than get the zoomies.

The studies also inform the product format and recommended dosage. For example, drying the leaves enhances the potency because it reduces the water-to-active compound ratio of the plant, making it more potent per gram. It also prevents cats from getting digestive upset which they can get from fresh chlorophyll and fibre such as from cat grass or fresh catnip. Our dried leaf is cut crushed and sifted, and supplied in safe quantities with instructions.

Catnip and matatabi/silvervine are proven to be completely non-addictive, and safe. They become “immune” to the effects after half an hour and their nervous system takes several hours to return to baseline. Then they can be affected again. We recommend giving them a day off in between sessions to keep it special, but there are no adverse health effects of long-term consistent use, only the benefits of environmental enrichment and sensory stimulation.

Well, technically, yes! Side effects can include stomach upset if they eat too much of the fresh leaf and stem. This is the number one reason cat owners are reluctant to let their cat get a taste of the ‘Nip. That’s why we create DankNips signature “Tinnie” which is purr-fectly dosed to deliver just enough dried herb to have your cat feeling fine.

We add this as it adds an intriguing additional aroma, and seaweed is health-promoting for cats, dogs, and people with its dental and nutritional benefits. Seaweed is a nutrient-dense superfood for cats that supports digestion, promotes a shiny coat, and boosts the immune system. It is packed with natural trace minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a great addition to your cat’s diet when served in small, controlled portions. Seaweed contains natural iodine, which supports proper thyroid function, metabolism, and energy levels.

Too much iodine can interfere with cat’s thyroid function but the the fractional amount in our Danknips when fed as recommended (two to three times per week) is within recommended doses for cats but consult your veterinary before feeding your pet DankNips if they have a pre-existing thyroid condition or are on any medications that may interact with the natural ingredients DankNips herbal treats. DankNips seaweed does not contain any added salt.

Catnip is safe for cats to ingest in dried format when cut up into bite size chunks so they do not choke on it or obstruct their digestive system (a common risk of them eating fresh plants).

Seek veterinary advice if your pet has any pre-existing conditions, upcoming surgeries, or medications that may interact with DankNips herbal treats prior to serving.

It’s safe but they won’t reap the benefits or react to it until they are 3 to 6 months old because the required scent receptors are not fully developed until then.

We recommend up to 2 or 3 two to three times a week, allowing a day off between each session.

We import our ingredients from wherever they grow best, then DankNips 100% natural treats are lovingly processed, quality-checked, packaged and labelled by hand at the DankNips Den (what we call our office) in New Zealand.

You can sprinkle Danknips treats directly onto a surface your cat can comfortably roll around on, such as a clean floor or their bed. It can be sprinkled on their food as a treat. To enjoy and enhance the experience from your cat, they will probably want to rub the herb all over themselves, this is the perfect opportunity to sprinkle some catnip on their brush and groom them. For more ideas see our Serving Suggestions.

This is the most effective and economical way of packaging a theraputic dose of catnip or silvervine airtight and tamper-proof so you know the product inside has maintained its potency. When exposed to light and oxygen the volatile compounds escape which diminishes the potency and quality.

‘Tinnies’ are designed for single use, again preserving the freshness and potency of the catnip. Our larger, we highly recommend you keep the bag tightly sealed or transfer the catnip to a light-proof vessel such as amber glass. and store in a cool dark place.

Studies have proven this to be the most beneficial way, and also the safest way. Drying increases potency and reduces risk of stomach upset if they eat too much. Silvervine is sometimes available as dried fruit and stem but this can be a choking and/or intestinal hazard for the cats if they ingest it. We recommend our cut and sifted leaf or liquid form only, rather than the stem or fruit. Powder means sneezing and allergies because the leaf is broken down into such tiny particles they can become airborne. The leaves are picked and dried whole (using organic processes) then cut into smaller pieces to aid in releasing the aromatic compounds for the best experience for your cat. because the leaves are dried, as your cat interacts with the leaves they’ll rub against the leaves crushing them down releasing further aroma and sensory experience.

The euphoric sensation they feel is therefore more alike to a sugar high (such as from chocolate), rather than illicit drugs, for humans. A drug is any chemical substance, other than food or water, that alters the physical or mental functioning of a living organism. Catnip and silver vine have both been proven completely safe, nontoxic, and nonaddictive. What it really does is stimulate endorphins (the happy chemicals). Some theorise that it mimics a sexual pheromone but there is no evidence to support this, and in fact in studies, sexual status and age was the least affecting factor in how cats interact with catnip and silvervine.

Catnip makes cats “high” because its active chemical, nepetalactone, mimics a feline pheromone. When a cat smells it, the chemical binds to nasal receptors, triggering a rush of endorphins. This flood of natural “happy hormones” causes temporary euphoria, hyperactivity, or relaxed silliness.

Our name DankNips is a playful combination of “dank” and “catnip” with an “s” to make it plural, because we have a lot more in store. Previously only meaning “unpleasantly damp and cold”, “dank” has taken on a new slang, now meaning “excellent, of very good quality,” such as “dank memes” or “dank buds”. Learn more about our company identity here.