Mental and physical stimulation are critically important when it comes to keeping cats happy and healthy, and silvervine products like matabi sticks can get your cat moving and provide them with a bit of euphoric fun. Silvervine provides cats with experiences similar to those delivered by catnip, and it affects those who don’t enjoy catnip.
It’s always best to speak to your veterinarian before giving your cat silvervine, particularly if they suffer from any health conditions—just to make sure doing so won’t negatively impact your buddy’s health. We hope these reviews prove helpful as you evaluate the products below to find the right option for your companion.
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What Are Silvervine Chew Sticks and Why Are They Good for Cats
Silvervine is a plant that produces effects like catnip. Its official name is Actinidia polygama, and its native range includes parts of Russia, Japan, and China. It produces a euphoric effect that lasts for about 30 minutes.
Silvervine is non-addictive and generally considered safe for most healthy cats, but it’s always best to clear anything you plan to give your cat with your veterinarian to ensure it’s safe. Silvervine is ideal for cats who don’t respond to catnip.
It affects around 80% of cats, including many who aren’t interested in catnip. You can purchase silvervine in sticks and powdered products. Powdered silvervine sometimes includes other parts of the plant.
Matabi chew sticks are popular options that may also benefit your cat’s dental health. When chewed, they can reduce plaque and tartar buildup on cats’ teeth. Cats should always be supervised when they’re chewing on matabi sticks to prevent them from ingesting broken-off bits.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Meowijuana King-Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks |
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Best Value | Raw Paws Silvervine Chew Stick Cat Treats |
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Premium Choice | Lovely Caves Silvervine Sticks Moderate Cat Chew Toys |
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Potaroma Natural Silvervine Sticks Cat Toys |
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WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats |
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The 8 Best Matabi Silvervine Chew Sticks
1. Meowijuana King-Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks – Best Overall
Number in package: | 6 |
Style: | Sticks |
Meowijuana King-Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks are worth considering in your search for the best overall matabi chew sticks. They’re large sticks, which give cats something sturdy to gnaw on and can help remove plaque from their teeth.
The sticks are free of preservatives and additives and come in convenient packages of six. Some customers were disappointed that the sticks weren’t as large as advertised, but most mentioned that their cats loved them.
- Encourages feline relaxation
- Preservative and additive-free
- Not as large as advertised
2. Raw Paws Silvervine Chew Stick Cat Treats – Best Value
Number in package: | 30 |
Style: | Sticks |
Raw Paws Silvervine Chew Stick Cat Treats are our pick for the best silvervine chew sticks for the money. Each package contains 30 fun-inducing silvervine sticks for your cat to enjoy.
The sticks make play sessions more entertaining and support dental health. However, they cannot replace regular tooth brushing and professional dental cleanings. Raw Paws treats are free of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
- Fun stress and anxiety relief
- No artificial preservatives
- Some cats may not react to them
3. Lovely Caves Silvervine Sticks Moderate Cat Chew Toys – Premium Choice
Number in package: | 3 |
Style: | Stick chew toys |
Lovely Caves Silvervine Sticks Moderate Cat Chew Toys are perfect for getting cats up and moving. The sticks are wrapped in bite-resistant sisal rope and feature added gall fruit to elevate your cat’s experience.
There are also little bits of raffia sticking out at the ends to encourage pouncing and give cats something to bat at. Although the rope is marketed as bite-proof, it’s probably best to keep a close eye on your cat when they’re playing with the Lovely Caves chew toys.
- Features gall fruit
- May encourage physical activity
- Cats require close supervision when using
4. Potaroma Natural Silvervine Sticks Cat Toys
Number in package: | 6 |
Style: | Stick chew toys |
Potaroma Natural Silvervine Sticks Cat Toys are great options if you’re looking for a fun way to elevate your cat’s playtime. Each toy is built around a thick silvervine stick to make it less likely to break under the pressure of powerful kitty-bites.
Sisal is wrapped around each stick to help remove plaque and tartar, and the toys also feature gall fruit to deliver stimulation. The sticks provide a touch of dietary fiber that can be helpful for hairball prevention and digestive system support.
Remember that kittens don’t develop a taste for silvervine until they’re around 8 months old or so.
- Provides fiber for digestive support
- Features silvervine gall fruit
- May not be effective in young kittens
5. WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats
Number in package: | 12 |
Style: | Sticks |
WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable brand. The package holds 12 sticks, and unlike other brands, they’re not covered with sisal rope or other materials.
They provide mental stimulation and keep cats’ teeth clean and healthy! Chewing on the sticks may also encourage fresh breath and help your cat’s digestive system stay in top shape.
- Encourages fresh breath
- Provides mental stimulation and fun
- Not effective for cats not sensitive to silvervine
6. Potaroma Silvervine Stick Cage Balls
Number in package: | 3 |
Style: | Stick balls |
Potaroma Stick Cage Balls have silvervine frames with toys inside. There are three stick balls in each package. One toy has a gall fruit enclosed in the matabi stick cage, and there’s also one with an old-fashioned ball and bell inside.
A catnip-filled ball lies at the heart of the third toy. They’re balls, so they encourage cats to run, chase, and pounce, and they also provide dental health benefits.
- Ball design
- Encourages physical activity
- Can be expensive
7. Penn-Plax Cat-Life Silvervine Sticks for Cats
Number in package: | 20 |
Style: | Sticks |
Penn-Plax Cat-Life’s silvervine sticks come in packages of 20. The bags holding the sticks are resealable, making it easy to keep them fresh over time. They’re perfect if you’re looking for something basic to entertain your cat.
Cats who regularly chew the Penn-Plax sticks may also enjoy improved breath. The sticks are about 4.75 inches long and have diameters of about .25 inches, but the size can vary.
- Basic option
- Dental health benefits
- Not effective for all cats
8. Meowy Janes Matabi Chew Sticks 2.0
Number in package: | 9 |
Style: | Sticks |
Meowy Jane sells various sustainably sourced silvervine and catnip products, including silvervine gall fruit and these basic sticks. Each package holds nine sticks for cats to enjoy, and they’re coated with gall fruit powder to make the experience even more powerful.
The sticks are untreated, haven’t been processed, and are about 5 inches long. Meowy Jones is a small business that’s located in New Jersey.
- Simple sticks
- Sustainably sourced
- Can be pricey
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Matabi Silvervine Chew Sticks
When evaluating the Silvervine products, you may want to consider a few factors, including whether you’re interested in plain sticks or something a bit fancier.
Sticks or Chews
You can purchase simple sticks that come pre-cut to cat-friendly sizes, but some brands include additional ingredients and materials. Some chew toys have rope covering the silvervine sticks to provide more durability. The toys and sticks can be useful for encouraging cats to play more often.
Silvervine Sticks or Silvervine +
You can find pure silvervine sticks without anything else, but there are also sticks with the silvervine gall fruit added to the mix.
Price
Plain chew sticks are less expensive than matabi chew stick toys. Unadorned chew sticks are ideal if you’re looking for affordable ways to encourage your cat to engage in play sessions.
Your Cat’s Preference
You can try a few products to see if your cat has a preference. Some cats may gravitate toward simple chew sticks, while others may prefer toys covered with sisal rope or ones with catnip.
Our Matabi Silvervine Chew Sticks Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about chew sticks. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
We hope these reviews have given you a bit of inspiration and a few things to think about as you narrow down your choices. The Meowijuana King-Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks are our choice for the best overall matabi silvervine chew sticks, as they’re preservative-free and designed to encourage feline relaxation.
Raw Paws Silvervine Chew Stick Cat Treats provide the basics at a nice price, and the Lovely Caves Silvervine Sticks Moderate Cat Chew Toys are fun toys that encourage cats to play and support dental health at the same time.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock