Frequently Asked Questions

Catnip is not addictive and cats cannot develop a chemical dependence on it. Cats enjoy catnip entirely due to the scent of compounds in the plant, particularly nepetalactone. There is no chemical interaction between these compounds and your cat’s body that could lead to a real addiction.

That said, cats can become very enthusiastic about catnip and may seek it out if they can smell but not see it! Some may dig through cabinets, open drawers, or chew through bags. So keep it locked away somewhere safe when not in use. 

You can read more here about how catnip works here: Is Catnip a Drug?

Cats cannot overdose on catnip and it’s safe to give them as much as they enjoy as often as they prefer. You can offer catnip as a daily treat or save it for special occasions without any worries about the dangers of overdose. You can spread it by handful all over your floor and let your cats go wild or just sprinkle a little bit on their favorite toy without worry of negative physical effects. 

You can read more here about how catnip works here: Is Catnip a Drug?

Yes, cats can develop a sort of tolerance to catnip, but it’s not the same as humans building a tolerance to drugs. Since catnip’s effect is scent-based, constant exposure can cause your cat to become “nose-blind” to it. When the scent becomes too familiar, it may lose its appeal and your cat might stop reacting as enthusiastically as before.

That said, if your cat has a favorite catnip kicker or pillow they truly love, it is perfectly fine to let them enjoy it 24/7. 

You can read more here about how catnip works here: Is Catnip a Drug?

If your cat seems bored with catnip or is not enjoying it like they used to, try giving them a break. Refer to the previous question about catnip tolerance for more information.

We recommend occasionally picking up all catnip toys and storing them away for a few days. A good time to do this is during a deep clean of your house, when you’re likely to find them under couches or tables anyway!

After a break of a few days to a week, reintroduce the toys to your cat. They’ll likely feel as excited about the toys again since they smell new and interesting. Alternatively, some cat owners only offer catnip toys during playtime and then put them away afterward—this method works well too.

If your cat still seems uninterested, it might be time for some fresh catnip! While catnip’s scent lasts quite a while, it starts to degrade after about a year, especially when exposed to air. Heavily used toys may lose their potency even sooner if they really got a lot of love.

It has been scientifically proven that only two-thirds of adult cats enjoy catnip and that it is a myth that every cat loves it. A 2017 study conducted on cats in California found that approximately 67% of cats react to catnip, with only 51% exhibiting what is classified as an “intense” reaction. While the exact reasons are unclear it is believe that genetics and life experiences play a role. Some cat owners report that all their cats enjoy catnip while others find that none of their cats are interested.

Additionally, many kittens do not react catnip when they are very young. It often takes until they are about six months to a year old for them to develop strong reactions. However, there is no harm in offering catnip to a young cat at any age.

See the below question for what you can try if your cat does not enjoy catnip.

If your cat doesn’t enjoy catnip, they are very likely to enjoy silvervine. Studies show that 80% of cats react to silvervine, with 71% of them having what is classified as an “intense” reaction. Many cats who enjoy catnip also enjoy silvervine and may even have a different type of reaction to it so it is the perfect way to try something new. 

Silvervine is a plant that naturally grows in the mountains of Asia, primarily in Japan and China, and is the most popular alternative to catnip. The fruits of the plant are dried and either given to cats whole or ground into a powder that is sprinkled on the floor or used inside toys. The vines are cut into sticks then dried to use as a type of cat chew toy.

In addition to silvervine, valerian root is another plant that many cats enjoy. The same study shows that 45% of cats react to it in some way, with 38% experiencing an “intense” reaction. Valerian root is often used in teas for humans 

You can see many of our  Silvervine Toys Here and Valerian Root Here.

Most kittens under 3 to 6 months old haven’t developed sensitivity to these plant oils yet, so don’t worry if your little one ignores them at first! Their response naturally kicks in as they reach maturity.

While humans drink valerian tea for relaxation, our cats love it for playtime! Valerian has a distinct, pungent aroma that humans often describe as earthy, like old cheese, or even stinky socks. Don’t worry—that bold scent is completely normal and is precisely what drives cats wild!

A little goes a very long way! Because cats have an extraordinary sense of smell, a simple pinch (about a teaspoon) of leaf/flower or a light dusting of pure silvervine powder is plenty to kick off a great play session

Yes! As cats chew, the ends will fray into soft, woody bristles, and small bits of chewed bark often get ingested. The natural fiber is non-toxic, and small bits generally pass through their digestive system without a problem. However, if a stick becomes short enough to be a choking hazard or your cat breaks off an unusually large chunk, take that piece away.

While it is safe and non-toxic, we don’t recommend allowing your cats to eat a significant amount of powder. There is plenty of research to know it is safe and that cats love it, but the effects of cats specifically consuming larger amounts of it have not been studied. If your cat is a big licker, only give them small amounts at once or put it inside of a toy instead.

They are non-toxic and will not harm a dog if accidentally snatched, but they are specifically crafted for cats. Dogs with stronger jaws can break apart the wood quickly and consume it much faster than a cat, so we recommend picking the sticks up when your cats are finished playing.

Yes, select toys feature natural, upcycled fur. Cats are driven by natural prey instincts, and the authentic texture and scent of real fur engage their hunting drive in a way synthetic materials simply can’t match. Plus, if they do ingest a tiny bit while playing, it’s natural fur rather than synthetic fiber.

All of our botanicals and handmade toys are carefully inspected, processed, hand-blended, and packaged in small batches by us two crazy cat people in the USA. We source what we can locally whenever possible, but the different plants require growing environments that are different from what we have here in the eastern US. We use catnip entirely from North America—primarily from the Pacific Northwest and Canada, depending on where we find the highest quality harvest for the year. Our silvervine and matatabi come from trusted Asian producers that we have long-standing relationships with. Our valerian is human grade and imported from Europe, after which it undergoes full purity and safety testing. We receive everything in generally raw form and do all our own processing!

Because every toy, kicker, and herbal batch is handcrafted and packaged fresh in small batches by a two-person team, orders are typically prepped and shipped out within 1 to 2 business days. We generally keep a couple of weeks of inventory, but sometimes run out and have to make a new batch or cut and sew a bunch more blanks, which can extend that a bit longer. Orders placed near the weekend may not ship until the following Monday, as USPS has limited Saturday hours and is closed on Sundays.

We ship only within the USA and US territories. Shipping internationally is very expensive and often incurs extra customs, tariff, and VAT-related fees. If you have a large order in mind, send us a message, but it probably won’t be worth it for just one or two toys.

Due to the natural, organic nature of our botanicals and strict pet hygiene/safety standards, we cannot accept returns on opened herbs or chewed/played-with toys. However, if an item arrives damaged or there is an issue with your order, reach out to us right away and we’ll make it right!