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Silvervine for Cats: Powder and Stick Reviews 2025 (Tried and Tested)

Writer's picture: RachelRachel

Updated: 2 days ago


Cat chewing silvervine stick.

*Information accurate from January 2025.



I wanted to put silvervine to the test and share some product reviews out of curiosity and due to my cats' lack of enthusiasm with catnip. They're not totally immune.... just mostly! Simba seems more interested in the packet itself, whether that's snorting the contents as if it's an illegal substance or chewing the corners of the packaging - hey, it makes a change from sneaking onto the kitchen counter and gnawing on the bread bags.


Drax is more reactive and will generally rub or scratch areas where catnip is sprinkled, but I've not witnessed any obvious "highs". Sprays seem to be the choice of preference and he's been known to nuzzle the odd toy here and there, but it really depends on his mood and energy levels.



eBay


It's also worth mentioning that I parent a couple of lazy bones that are bored of anything within ten minutes. I like to keep some catnip handy to lure them onto new beds and stands; scratch mats and posts to make them more enticing than carpets.


If you want to learn more about what silvervine is and how it works, check out this informative post on the differences between silvervine and catnip.




Silvervine Reviews


Go to review ⇨


Mew & Friends Silvervine Powder




Go to review ⇨


Nepfaivy Silvervine Chew Sticks






What Is Silvervine?


In short, silvervine (Actinidia polygama) is a climbing plant native to East Asia, named for its silver-white leaves and flowers. It contains two active ingredients, known as Actinide and dihydroactinidiolide, whereas catnip only contains nepetalactone. In theory, this should make it a more potent substance; but there's still a chance that some cats could be immune.


The main forms of silvervine you can purchase for cats are powder, sticks and infused toys.



Mew & Friends Silvervine Powder.


Despite the popularity of silvervine in China and Japan, it seems to be less known to the Western world, with a poor selection of products in the UK. I chose Mew & Friends Silvervine due to their highly-rated catnip blend, as well as being a familiar brand and donating 10% of all profits to animal shelters.


Mew & Friends Silvervine is 100% natural and organic and, like most powders, is produced from the plant's gall fruit, which has a higher concentration of the active ingredients. As you can see from the image below, silvervine is quite different in appearance to catnip. The finely-ground powder has a sweet, pungent earthy aroma and is brown in colour.



The difference between catnip and silvervine.


For a mere 15 grams, it doesn't seem like you're getting much for your money, but a little goes a long way. The powder is relatively compacted inside a convenient tin, which I really like - although I can't say the same for Simba, the chewing machine.


So, the packaging is a plus but what about the product?


Without a nice crunchy bag to suck on (under supervision, of course) Simba was unsurprisingly indifferent and no more reactive than with catnip. Drax had a good sniff and ended up with a brown nose, which is another point to note.


The powder does leave a residue - this is of no danger to cats, but if you have pale carpets then be warned. You can see an example of this in the image below depicting a test toy that I sprinkled with the product; although it's nothing that can't be washed off.



Silvervine soft cat toy.


While I had high hopes for this "magic dust", unfortunately, its effects were barely a step up from catnip. I don't blame the product; as with anything cat related, some will be more interested than others.


The most enthusiasm Drax has shown is with the plush toy (a freebie that came with a cool window perch) which I have to admit is a rarity, as catnip-infused toys are usually ignored. I wouldn't say it stimulates playfulness, but rather it seems to enhance excitability when he's already in the mood. He had me in stitches flinging the toy around and nuzzling it to death with the craziest eyes I've ever seen.


I offered the toy dabbed in silvervine rather than purchasing one that already has it incorporated. Due to the disappointing selection of silvervine cat toys and the fact that mine aren't overly interested, it's not worth the extra purchase for me. However, if you have any experiences to share then feel free to comment and let us known if your kitties approved.


To save a few pennies and use up any old catnip or silvervine, check out these fun and furr-tastic DIY cat toy ideas.



Cat playing with a silvervine toy.


Summary


Despite not meeting my hopes, I would buy silvervine powder again for the following reasons:


  1. Being a parent of lazy indoor cats, anything that takes the pressure off me is a win - even if one cat is immune!

  2. Ongoing friction between my boys, which you can read more about in My Story. Play is a super important distraction tactic and one of my top tips for managing inter-cat aggression.

  3. Can be mixed with catnip and used to make your own soft toys.


For a more cost-effective option, this Silvervine Dust by AmeizPet is the same price for just over double the quantity.



⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1

Based on 300+ Amazon reviews.






Silvervine chew stick for cats.


In contrast to powders and toys, silvervine sticks for cats (also known as Matatabi sticks) come in a variety of styles which I can appreciate. From plain chew sticks to incorporated feathers, gall fruits and even catnip fillings - yum! If you know your cat's likes and dislikes, which I'm certain you do, then this may be a good (and less costly) option.


My boys give these silvervine chew sticks from Amazon a big paws up, and they're great to review as it's basically 5 toys in 1. In no particular order, here are the best features:


  1. The stick itself contains all the properties and benefits of silvervine.

  2. Lafite grass (rafia) which my kitties love to tear apart, probably due to the rustling sound it makes when chewed - bonus points from Simba.

  3. Catnip filling for extra attraction.

  4. Hanging gall fruit, which contains the highest concentration of active ingredients.

  5. Hemp or sisal rope, probably the best feature as far as safety goes. This makes the toy more durable and bite resistant, preventing splintering into small parts that cats might swallow.


This 100% natural silvervine-catnip toy is described as being great for stress relief, as well as stimulating playful behaviour; promoting gut function; reducing furballs and eliminating dental plaque. It's also suitable for cats over 2 months old.


These chew sticks come in a pack of four and, depending on how often your cats use them, they generally last until worn down.



Cat chewing a silvervine stick.


If you're looking for a bit more interaction, the addition of feathers and bells is an exciting option with this pack of six silvervine chew sticks.


While I haven't tried the standard plain sticks, this budget pack of thirty from Amazon is highly rated by customers.



Summary


With so much variety and so many benefits, silvervine chew sticks are a must-have for every kitty household. Multipacks are even better as it means there's plenty to go around without squabbling, and at great prices.


Both of my boys enjoy chewing, licking and batting these around and they last for ages. I always keep a supply available to swap out once they're worn down. You could even customise plain sticks with your own twine and additional bells or feathers.



⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3

Based on 900+ Amazon reviews.






I hope this helps anyone who is either unfamiliar with silvervine products or on the fence about giving it a whirl. These reviews are based on tried and tested products that are 100% natural, safe and non-addictive to your fur babies. If you'd rather stick to catnip, there's a huge variety to choose from. To make it easier, check out these 15 Best Catnip Toys, Blends and Sprays



*Information is accurate from January 2025 and may be subject to change. Feel free to get in touch if you think this article needs updating.


Do your cats give silvervine a paws up or paws down? Do you have any amazing products to share? Let us know in the comments!


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