We got a couple questions about our Monday blog post asking what that silvervine stuff that made Pierre a mean drunk is. That’s a really good question!
Pierre: Who are you calling a mean drunk?
Silvervine is a plant whose actual name is Actinidia polygama. You probably aren’t familiar with it because it probably doesn’t grow where you live. It comes from the high elevations in the mountainous areas of Japan and China.
Silvervine plant (actinidia polygama). Photo credit: Wikimedia commons.
Cats respond to silvervine similarly to the way that they do to catnip, rolling, rubbing in it, drooling, and even licking it. The main difference is that in catnip, cats respond to the chemical compound nepetalactone. In silvervine, cats respond to the chemical actinidine.
Silvervine and catnip having different chemicals that make cats respond means that some cats who don’t respond to catnip will show interest in silvervine. Other cats, like Pierre in our video from Monday, respond to both. The amount of enthusiasm varies by cat.
Newton is never short of enthusiasm
A study published last year showed that 65% of cats respond to catnip, and almost 80% of domestic cats respond to silvervine.
The silvervine plant is often ground into a fine powder for use by cats. There is a big surge in marketing “silvervine sticks” for cat dental health like the one Cupcake was gifted recently. Keep in mind that these often aren’t actually the stem of a silvervine plant but are pieces of wood that have been impregnated with silvervine scent. If you happen to see dried silvervine fruit or fruit gall, it carries a much stronger payload of actinidine for a cat to enjoy.
If your cat does enjoy silvervine in a toy, always be sure the toy, whether it is a stick or other form, is safe and supervise if necessary. Enjoy the fun times!
Silvervine rules!
I like the idea of silverware soaked chews maybe not as strong as the ‘real thing!’.
We thought we saw this on Monday! Thanks for going over its roots..hehe and where it comes from. I wonder if it affects humans..like my housekeeper. If I could just have her in my power! – Tomx
I didn’t know that the sticks weren’t silvervine! I found a toy in the drawer that I gave to Angel…don’t remember where I bought it, but she’s reacting to it differently than with catnip toys, so I’m guessing it’s silvervine. It’s not valerian, because I would recognize THAT smell. Angel makes the toy her pillow, and takes it with her wherever she is!
we had no idea that is how the sticks got their stuff
I used to have lots of the ‘vine including the dried fruit that Baby Patches got from Malaysia. Unlike the nip, if you give too much silvervine, we can drool and almost OD. I’m not big into the nip but love the ‘vine.
We still haven’t tried silvervine, but Mom ordered some from the Meowijuana people. We’ll have to get her to break it open. Hope none of us gets mean. We already have Sawyer for that. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
We like silvervine…but still prefer good ol’ catnip.
We love silvervine here.That picture of Newton is pretty awesome!
Mudpie loves silvervine!
It’s always a fine time for da vine!
I’d love to try this silvervine for my cats but this is the first I heard of it. Where do I buy the sticks and know for sure it’s the real thing? For a decent price…….Thanks so much to all…..
I know its a bit of a geeky question, but I grow silvervine in the UK, although it hasnt flowered yet (4 year old plant), probably because I dont know what sen it is, and there is conflicting info about whether they are self-fertisiling. However, we lack the insect over here that creates the gall, which is by far the most potent part of silvervine for cats. Anyone here have any knowledge of how I might get galls from silvervine in the UK?