Catnip Alternatives: Silvervine, Valerian and More

If your cat shrugs at catnip, you're not alone: around a third of cats simply don't carry the gene that makes them respond. The good news is that catnip isn't the only herb that delights cats. Silvervine works on far more cats than catnip does, and valerian, Tatarian honeysuckle and cat thyme give you several more options to test.

Why some cats ignore catnip

The reaction to catnip is inherited, so a cat either responds or it doesn't, and kittens under roughly three to six months often don't react at all yet. None of that means your cat is broken or boring. It just means the active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, isn't pressing their particular buttons. Switching to a herb with a different active ingredient often unlocks a cat that seemed completely indifferent to scented toys.

Silvervine: the strongest alternative

Silvervine (Actinidia polygama) is the heavyweight here. Research suggests it appeals to a clear majority of cats, including many that don't respond to catnip at all, because it contains several active compounds rather than just one. It usually comes as dried fruit galls, powder, or sticks to chew.

If catnip has never worked in your house, silvervine is the first thing to try. Sprinkle a little powder onto an existing toy or offer a chew stick and watch for rolling, cheek-rubbing and gentle chewing. Effects are short, usually a few minutes, then your cat resets for next time.

Valerian, honeysuckle and cat thyme

Worth a place on your shortlist:

• Valerian root tends to energise rather than mellow, sparking zoomies and play. The smell is famously pungent to human noses, so store valerian cat toys in a sealed tub.
• Tatarian honeysuckle comes as small wood pieces or sawdust; many cats lick and rub the wood happily. Dampen it slightly to refresh the scent.
• Cat thyme (Teucrium marum, not culinary thyme) is potent and a useful last resort for fussy cats, though its strong smell divides households.

Offering a mix is sensible. Cats vary, and the herb that does nothing today may be a hit next month.

How to use them well

The biggest mistake is leaving these herbs out all the time, which dulls the response. Treat them as an occasional treat instead.

• Offer a scented toy for short sessions, then put it away.
• Refresh dried herbs every few weeks; potency fades with air and light.
• Pair scent with movement to get the best play, dragging a feather teaser wand past a herb-dusted toy to trigger the chase.
• Rotate herbs so the novelty stays high.

Scent is only half of enrichment. Even a herb-loving cat needs things to stalk, bat and chase, which is where a crinkle cat tunnel, a colourful feather cat wand teaser with a bell or a self-rolling interactive electric ball toy come in. The herb gets them interested; movement keeps them moving.

Building a herb-and-play routine

Think of these herbs as a way to make existing toys irresistible rather than a standalone activity. A short herb-charged play session in the evening helps indoor cats burn energy before the night, and rotating between silvervine, valerian and honeysuckle keeps even a jaded cat curious.

If you'd like to keep stocked up, browse our range of catnip toys and silvervine options, and pair them with interactive cat toys for the chase element.

Where to go next

To understand the science behind the wiggle, read How Catnip Works and Which Cats Respond to It. For our current favourites, see Best Catnip Toys in the UK for Happy Cats, and for the wider picture on keeping indoor cats stimulated, Best Toys for Indoor Cats: A Buyer's Guide ties it all together. There's plenty more in our Indoor Cat Enrichment hub.