Catnip vs. Silver Vine - Catnip is an Amazing Tool for All Cats - Except When It Isn’t!

Audience: Boobahs at Home

Summary for the Orange Boobahs:

Catnip does not affect every cat in the same way. Some cats may get playful and excited, while others may become calm or even ignore it. Research shows that many cats who do not like catnip may enjoy other plants, such as silver vine. This happens because these plants have different natural chemicals, and each cat’s body and sense of smell can react in its own way.

Catnip and other safe plant scents can also be used as enrichment and may help some cats relax. The best choice is to let your cat decide what she likes. Watch how she acts after smelling or using catnip. If she seems happy, playful, or relaxed, it may be a good enrichment tool for her. If she becomes upset, too excited, or does not care about it, try something else. Every cat is different, and respecting her choices helps support her happiness and welfare.

Details for the Calico Boobahs:

People like to talk about catnip like it’s a magic potion that all cats readily consume. Picture this - you pour your cat a big pile of dried catnip, so they smell it, roll around in it, lose their minds, and run around with the zoomies throughout your home. Your cat is happy, and your job as a faithful feline caregiver is a success!

But….in reality, your beloved feline just sits there, and with a vacant glimmer in her eye, stares at the big pile of catnip you spent a pretty penny on, and huffs in ambivalence. She then looks at you like you’ve just attempted to poison her with strangely shaped dust! Or, maybe she looks at the pile, eats it, and then passes out on her favorite bed. Your cat is broken! Or is she….?

Can science explain why your cat may get the Tasmanian devil zoomies from smelling the catnip, or she ignores the catnip entirely, or she falls deeply asleep after consuming it? Yes, science can explain this strange phenomenon, and no, your cat is not broken!

Researchers have proven that a feline’s reaction to catnip is substantially individualized for that cat. For example, a 2017 study of different olfactory enhancements demonstrated that only 68% of cats respond specifically to catnip, and 79% of cats explicitly respond to silver vine. Additionally, that same study established that those cats who ignored catnip did respond to silver vine; cats have individualized olfactory needs. (Bol, et al., 2017)

There are also many variabilities in how felines respond to these scent enhancements. In a different research study, scientists discovered that some felines exhibited active responses to catnip, whereas other cats became passive and relaxed (Ellis & Wells, 2010). Scientific studies challenge the pop culture misconception that catnip is a universal feline stimulant.

Interestingly, different olfactory plants can be utilized to reduce your cat’s stress levels. As proven in a recently published 2026 study, some shelters have successfully utilized different plants to reduce cat stress scores! Valerian essential oil did not immediately reduce stress, but after one-to-two hours after exposure, cats relaxed. Dried valerian root immediately, and continually, decreased feline stress levels. One hour after exposure, catnip was proven to reduce feline stress scores at the shelter. Negative behavioral reactions were rarely observed. (Palau, et al., 2026)

These response differences are not just your cat being finicky. There are a variety of olfactory plant stimulants, and each is comprised of different chemical compounds. For example, catnip contains a large ratio of nepetalactone, and silver vine contains a variety of different components than catnip’s! Scientific research demonstrates cats can respond differently to these different biologically active compounds. This is one reason why responses may differ (or be nonexistent).

Feline caregivers need to adjust their expectations of plant enrichment tools. Rather than asking the question, “will catnip cause my cat to be more interested in this playful toy?” the caregiver must change the question to, “how might my unique cat (positively or negatively) respond to catnip?”

To support your cat’s welfare, offer catnip to your feline and observe her response. Let your cat determine how she wants to engage with the catnip. If your cat demonstrates enjoyable responses (such as play or relaxation) then catnip is a good fit for your feline. However, if your feline becomes frustrated, agitated, overstimulated, or socially aggressive then catnip may not be a good fit as an enrichment tool for your cat. Utilize catnip as a beneficial welfare tool - not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. And, if your cat ignores your catnip, try silver vine, since it has different biological compounds that may appeal to your cat!

You probably love cats because they are unique and special individuals. Your cat has a right to choose how it engages with her environment via her unique senses and biological makeup. Respect her choices and needs to ensure her welfare is treasured!

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Active Enrichment vs. Calming Effects -- There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Audience: Boobahs in Action

Summary for the Orange Boobahs:

Environmental enrichment gives cats safe ways to do natural cat behaviors, such as playing, running, resting, and exploring. Catnip is one type of enrichment that works through a cat’s sense of smell. Some cats may play, roll, pounce, or rub on catnip toys. Other cats may become quiet, relaxed, or sleepy. Research shows that catnip does not always cause wild play or “zoomies.”

Catnip should not be left out all the time. If a cat smells it too often, she may get used to it and stop reacting. It is also important to watch your whole cat, not just one behavior. A quiet cat is not always relaxed, and an active cat is not always stressed. Look at her body language and the situation around her. Catnip is a useful enrichment tool, but each cat may react to it in her own way.

Details for the Calico Boobahs:

Environmental enrichment is designed to provide your feline with appropriate outlets for expression of her natural, biologically driven behaviors. Successful enrichment may result in active behaviors, such as playing and running, or passive behaviors, including relaxed posturing and sleeping. One tool may cause different results!

Olfactory stimulation is one form of environmental enrichment. As a responsible caregiver, you are providing your feline with natural stimulation of biologic behavior. Catnip may impact behavior. In a scientific study of catnip usage at a rescue shelter, feline residents whose environment was enhanced with catnip demonstrated a higher interest in toys treated with catnip, as opposed to toys treated with other odors (such as rabbit pheromones or lavender) (Ellis & Wells, 2010).

Additional studies also demonstrate that catnip can elicit both active and passive behaviors in felines that respond to the enrichment tool. The characteristic “catnip response” is active in nature, which includes body rolling, playing and pouncing, running, and facial rubbing. However, some studies demonstrate that responding felines may react via passive actions, such as calm staring, assuming a relaxed body posture, or sleeping! One such study conducted by researchers in 2017 demonstrated that of 60 cats who were presented with catnip enrichment items, only 20% displayed an active response, whereas 80% of the felines displayed a passive response (including decreases in vocalization and motor activity) (Espin-Iturbe, et al., 2017). This dichotomy challenges the overly simplistic pop culture understanding of “catnip produces zoomies!”

Habitation is important to recognize! A cat’s senses may become overwhelmed or desensitized to a stimulant if constantly exposed. Desensitization can lead a cat to no longer be stimulated by catnip. Ellis and Well’s shelter research study proved that when cats were given a catnip-treated toy for multiple hours, after the first hour, the toy lost effectiveness (Ellis & Wells, 2010). A responsible feline caregiver should not constantly leave olfactory stimulation out for their cat because the feline will become habituated and the stimulation will lose its impact.

One last thought - remember that observable behavior is not equivalent to your cat’s emotional state! Observe your entire feline, along with the context in which she exists. For example, if your cat is actively playing with a catnip covered toy, can you assume her emotional state is stressed, overstimulated, or happy? Pay attention to her body language. An observable quiet cat is not necessarily a relaxed cat! Enrichment tools, such as catnip, are just that -- tools. An enrichment tool, such as catnip, is not guaranteed to result in a specific emotional state for your feline.

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Chemistry in Action - The Uniqueness of Different Plants

Audience: Boobahs in the Field

Summary for the Orange Boobahs:

Different plants can affect cats in different ways because each plant has its own natural chemicals. Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, while silver vine, valerian, and Tatarian honeysuckle contain other chemicals. Some cats may roll, rub, play, or relax after smelling these plants. Other cats may not react at all. Research shows that cats who ignore catnip may still enjoy silver vine or another plant.

These plants may do more than make cats act playful. Some of their chemicals may create pleasant feelings, and rubbing on the plants may even help cats place natural bug-repelling chemicals on their fur. Research also shows that silver vine does not appear to cause addiction or harm when used often. The best choice is to offer different safe options and watch what your cat likes. Each cat is different, so enrichment should be chosen for that individual cat.

Details for the Calico Boobahs:

The variety of olfactory enhancements within the feline caregiving world can be overwhelming. Science teaches us that different plants are comprised of different volatile compounds. The different permutations of these compounds can impact your feline’s reactions substantially.

One of the most common olfactory enhancements offered to felines is catnip (Nepeta cataria). Science has determined that the primary iridoid chemical compound contained in catnip is nepetalactone. When a cat smells catnip, he is interacting with nepetalactone, which has been observed as the “catnip reaction:” rolling around, body rubbing, licking, sniffing, face rubbing, increased playful activity, and passive behavioral states (such as sleeping and staring off like a ‘sphinx’). Note that these reactions range from active to passive in nature. Interestingly, a 2017 scientific study demonstrated that one out of three participating cats had no behavioral response to catnip (Bol, et al., 2017).

Conversely, silver vine (Actinidia polygama) is a different plant with a different chemical profile. Actinidia polygama has a diverse chemical profile that contains several volatile compounds, including nepetalactol (much smaller amounts than catnip), actinidine, iridomyrmecin, and isodihydronepetalactones . Note that silver vine also contains additional isodihydrionepetalactone (which other options do not), and it has a greater diversity of compounds. Additionally, there are other plant structures that are used for feline enrichment. Tatarian honeysuckle is comprised of primarily of actinidine. Notably, the valerian plant contains actinidine and iridomyrmecin but not nepetalactone! (Bol, et al., 2017)

It is important to note that none of these plant enrichment tools are interchangeable. Each plant has a unique chemical profile, which can be interesting to one cat but useless to another feline. This is demonstrated by science. In one study, researchers determined that of the cats analyzed, only 68% of the felines responded to catnip, and for those who ignored catnip, 33% responded to Tatarian honeysuckle and 75% responded to silver vine. Additionally, only 50% of the felines engaged with the Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root., and 80% of all cats enrolled in the study responded to silver vine. (Bol, et al., 2017).

This scientific examination concludes that some felines are biologically wired to respond to the nepetalactone in catnip, and others respond to other chemical compounds such as actinidine or other isomers. There must be an appropriate chemical trigger for a cat to respond to a specific chemical compound.

This type of chemical compound research was further expanded in 2022. Scientists isolated different volatile compounds contained in plants to determine which compound has the most meaningful feline response. It was discovered that individual cats had preferences for specific compounds, but the behaviors and duration of effect remained somewhat consistent amongst study participants. Actinidine was ignored by many cats, though if the feline did respond, the behaviors were more unique and of longer duration. Dihydroactinidiolide is a chemical compound that resulted in feline behavioral response, and this chemical is also found in red fox secretions! (Bol, Scaffidi, Bunnik, & Flematti, 2022) This is one of the first studies to record a mammal-sourced compound that can produce the “catnip response,” which alludes to the mesopredatory nature of the feline!

Catnip may elicit a physiologically driven pleasure response in some cats. A 2021 scientific study examined the physiological response that cats had to nepetalactol. When cats were exposed to this chemical compound, their plasma B-endorphin levels increased, and their opioid receptors were blocked. Additionally, this study may have discovered a biologically evolved reason for the typical face rubbing that is observed in relation to the “catnip reaction:” when a cat rubs against the plant to transfer those chemicals onto his fur, the feline is rubbing a natural mosquito repellent onto his head! (Uenoyama, et al., 2021) Therefore, this characteristic facial rubbing is not necessarily a feline exhibiting a “high“ - rather, the cat has learned, via evolution, that he is protecting himself from external parasites.

Some caregivers become concerned regarding the implications of plant-based chemical enrichment tool usage. Fortunately, science has proven that these tools are safe for felines. In 2023, a group of scientists examined the implication of extensive usage of silver vine with a group of cats, which concluded that nonstop contact of felines to silver vine did not result in addictive behaviors, and blood measurements demonstrated no hepatic, renal, or hormonal stress injury from its usage (Uenoyama, et al., 2023).

Through scientific examination, a responsible feline caregiver must consider the chemical compounds they are offering to their cats, along with acknowledging why your feline is behaving as she is in response to that specific enrichment tool. Feline happiness is upheld through the design and usage of customized, welfare-conscious enrichment experiences.

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This Issue's Scientific References

Audience: Everyone

Bol, S., Caspers, J., Buckingham, L., Anderson-Shelton, G., Ridgway, C., Buffington, C., . . . Bunnik, E. M. (2017). Responsiveness of Cats (Felidae) to Silver Vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and Catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC Veterinary Research, 1-15.

Bol, S., Scaffidi, A., Bunnik, E. M., & Flematti, G. R. (2022). Behavioral Differences Among Domestic Cats in the Response to Cat-Attacting Plants and Their Volatile Compounds Reveal a Potential Distinct Mechanism of Action of Actinidine. BMC Biology, 192.

Ellis, S. L., & Wells, D. L. (2010). The Influence of Olfactory Stimulation on the Behaviour of Cats Housed in a Rescue Shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 56-62.

Espin-Iturbe, L. T., Lopez Yanez, B. A., Garcia, A. C., Canseco-Sedano, R., Vazquez-Hernandez, M., & Coria-Avila, G. A. (2017). Active and Passive Responses to Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) are Affected by Age, Sex and Early Gonadectomy in Male and Female Cats. Behavioural Processes, 110-115.

Palau, C. A., Defilet, B., De Munck, N., Peters, L., Kalogeropoulu, S., Peeters, E., . . . Haverbeke. (2026). Olfactory Enrichment for Shelter Cats: Assessing the Stress-Reducing Effects of Valerian and Catnip Using the Cat Stress Score (CSS). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Vol 305.

Uenoyama, R., Miyazaki, T., Hurst, J. L., Beynon, R. J., Adachi, M., Murooka, T., . . . Miyazaki, M. (2021). The Characteristic Response of Deomestic Cats to Plant Iridoids Allows Them to Gain Chemical Defense Against Mosquitoes. Science Advances, 7(4), eabd9135.

Uenoyama, R., Ooka, S., Miyazaki, T., Mizumoto, H., Nishikawa, T., Hurst, J. L., & Miyazaki, M. (2023). Assessing the Safety and Suitability of Using Silver Vind as an Olfactory Enrichment for Cats. iScience, Volume 26, Issue 10.

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