The Magic of Silvervine
At Percy & Pye, we only want to deliver the best for your cats - if your fur friends have a soft spot for catnip, just wait until they get their paws on silvervine!
What is Silvervine?
Silvervine, also known as "Matatabi", is a natural plant native to the mountainous regions of Japan and China. While it might not be as widely known as catnip, silvervine is becoming increasingly popular among cat owners worldwide for its remarkable effects on feline behaviour and enrichment. We are proud to say that we are one of the first cat toy producers in the UK that make soft silvervine toys, not just the dental chew sticks!
My cat loves catnip, how does silvervine compare?
Silvervine contains two active compounds: actinide and dihydroactinidiolide. These compounds stimulate cats in unique and powerful ways, making silvervine about 1.5-3x more effective than catnip for most cats. While 50-70% of cats respond to catnip, a staggering 80-90% of cats react to silvervine. Even cats that are indifferent to catnip often go wild for silvervine!
The benefits of Silvervine over Catnip
We definitely prefer silvervine at Percy & Pye, as it doesn't just provide a stronger reaction - it offers a range of benefits for your furry friends:
- Increased engagement: Cats exposed to silvervine exhibit playful, energetic behaviours for longer periods compared to catnip, which can also cause aggressiveness.
- Stress relief: Silvervine can help calm anxious cats, making it ideal for introducing new environments or dealing with separation anxiety.
- Diverse appeal: Unlike valerian root or catnip, silvervine appeals to a broader range of cats.
We've integrated silvervine into an awesome range of toys designed to keep your cats entertained and engaged, and some of these have even been featured on cat toy blogs due to their uniqueness and popularity!