Study 1: Responsiveness of Cats to Silvervine and Catnip

Responsiveness of cats (Felida) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria)

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). See original source.

Why one herb isn’t enough; the science of feline joy

The “Catnip Gap” and the Silvervine Solution

Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian and catnip (Bol et al., 2017)

Findings: Researchers confirmed that approximately one in three cats (32%) does not respond to traditional catnip. However, silver vine (the primary ingredient in MataTabi) is significantly more effective, with nearly 80% of cats showing a positive, euphoric response. Most importantly, for cats that are indifferent to catnip, 75% of them will respond to silver vine.

DankNips “Takeaway” from this study:

Olfactory stimulation is an often overlooked enrichment for cats, particularly domestic cats. The most famous example is catnip which has been renowned for centuries in western culture; but this study (based on 100 cats with multiple experimental rounds conducted with variuos plants and a placebo/control) shows that silvervine or matatabi leaf has been proven to be more potent and effective, particularly to those cats who do not seem to be interested in catnip.

Summary of Findings

The “Catnip Gap” is Real: The researchers confirmed that about one in three cats (32%) does not respond to traditional catnip. If your cat is indifferent to catnip, it is likely due to their genetics rather than the quality of the herb.

Silvervine is the “Gold Standard”: The study found that nearly 80% of cats responded to silver vine, making it significantly more effective across the general population than catnip. Furthermore, the behavioural responses to silver vine were often more intense than those to catnip.

A Second Chance for Non-Responders: For owners of cats that don’t care for catnip, there is high hope: 75% of the cats that didn’t respond to catnip did respond to silver vine. About one in three also responded to Tatarian honeysuckle.

Safety and Pure Joy: The study monitored the cats’ behaviour and concluded that these plant materials are a safe, natural way to provide domestic cats with “euphoric” sensory experiences. The typical behaviours—rubbing, rolling, and chin-licking—are healthy, non-stressful reactions to safe plant compounds.

Essential Enrichment: Because indoor cats need olfactory and sensory stimulation to lead fulfilled lives, using these science-backed herbs provides a “wonderful distraction” from stress or boredom.

Quality & Safety: While the study proves the herbs are safe, DankNips ensures that safety by providing 100% natural, quality-assured material that is safe for your cat to both inhale and ingest.

Science-Backed Quality: DankNips prides itself on being science-backed and quality-assured. This study identifies specific active compounds (like actinidine and dihydroactinidiolide) that are found in high concentrations in silver vine fruit galls, which is exactly why DankNips focuses on providing these potent, 100% natural alternatives.

Sensory Sessions for Pet Enrichment and Bonding