DankNips was born out of our values and love for animals.
Co-founders and owner-operators Kris and Gratia Dennis have always been passionate about caring for people, animals, and our planet. DankNips was born out of love and passion for animals and plants alike.
Seeking ways to enrich our cats’ lives, we learnt about the benefits of matatabi (also known as silvervine) but were unable to source the dried leaf in Aotearoa New Zealand, despite finding scientific backing that it was superior to catnip leaf and matatabi sticks.
Upon testing it on our cats, we found the rumours to be true and they loved it, wiggling across the floor just as we’d hoped. So, we set out to bring the potent herb to cats in our home country along with quality assurance and peace of mind for their guardians.
We developed DankNips 100% Natural Herbal Pet Treats so responsible pet owners can safely enrich their cat’s life without risk of harm.
Many pet owners are worried about catnip harming their cat, or it being “drugs” but there are numerous scientific studies proving its safety and also proving that it provides enrichment to all cats. DankNips treats are backed by science, quality assured and safe for cats and dogs when given as directed.
The plant was historically known in Middle English as “catnep” or “nep”. This evolved into “catnip” to describe the herb that causes cats to roll, rub, and purr.
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.
“Dank” has taken on a new slang, now meaning “excellent, of very good quality”.
Beyond giving your pet dank herbal treats, we advocate for responsible cat ownership by encouraging proper waste disposal and attentive care routines. We prioritise animal welfare and environmental protection by advocating for keeping cats indoors to safeguard local wildlife and prevent the spread of harmful parasites such as toxoplasmosis. We donate 5% of our annual profit to two causes we are committed to supporting; SPCA New Zealand and Predator Free NZ.
Because we are indoor cat advocates, giving a natural herbal treat like catnip (or even better, silvervine/matatabi) to your pets is an excellent to enrich their environment in a controlled way. It provides both sensory play and olfactory stimulation, especially when combined with activities such as play or grooming their fur.
As pet lovers and animal lovers we advocate for indoor cats to keep them safe and also to protect NZ’s wildlife including birds and dolphins. We believe responsible pet ownership not only involves correctly disposing of their waste, feeding them a species appropriate diet in healthy amounts, grooming them regularly, exercising them appropriately, listening to them, letting them rest, and by providing enriching sensory play such as with treats and toys.
If you’ve never tried giving your cat herbal treats before, a DankNips “Tinnie” is the perfect entry point.
Sensory Sessions for Pet Enrichment and Bonding