If your cat sniffs a catnip toy and walks away, you're not alone. A cat's response to catnip is largely inherited, and plenty of cats just don't have it. The good news is that catnip isn't the only plant that gets cats going.
What the research found
In a 2017 study published in BMC Veterinary Research, researchers tested 100 cats with catnip and three other plants. About one in three cats didn't respond to catnip at all. Silvervine got a response from more cats than catnip did, and most of the cats that ignored catnip did react to silvervine. Almost every cat in the study responded to at least one of the plants.
What a reaction looks like
Rolling, rubbing their cheeks on the toy, licking, chewing, drooling, kicking, and sometimes a burst of zoomies. Some cats get playful and others get mellow. Both count.
How to test your cat
- Offer one plant at a time, a day apart, so you know which one worked.
- Use fresh products. The scent fades over time.
- Watch for a few minutes. Reactions are usually short, and cats lose interest for a while afterward.
- Try again at a different time of day. A sleepy cat may ignore what an awake cat loves.
Kittens and older cats
Many kittens don't respond until they're several months old, and some older cats respond less. If your kitten ignores everything, try again in a few months.
Where to start
The Catnip Skeptic Kit includes catnip, silvervine and a toy with both, so you can find out in one go. Or browse the full Catnip & Silvervine collection.
Source: Bol S. et al. (2017). Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine (Actinidia polygama), Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). BMC Veterinary Research.