Gentle play for an older cat: what's inside your Silvervine plush, how to offer it, what a response looks like, and how to keep the scent sealed.
Has your older cat stopped bothering with toys that need a chase, and shrugged at catnip for years? Many cats slow down as they age and play in short, gentle bursts, and the scents that moved them at two may not move them at twelve. Your Silvervine plush brings the game to the cat: a scent of its own, a soft body for batting and hugging, and nothing that asks your cat to run or jump. Set it down where your cat already rests, and let it decide.
What Is Silvervine?
Silvervine (Actinidia polygama) is a plant native to Asia, with a scent of its own, separate from catnip. Inside your plush, air-dried Silvervine leaf, largely whole, is mixed through soft polyester stuffing, with no catnip in the mix. It comes in small, medium, large and long shapes, in five fabrics.
Silvervine facts
- In a 2021 study, an extract of Silvervine leaf drew face rubbing or rolling from 18 of 25 laboratory cats; the other 7 did not.
- Dried-leaf extract kept cats engaged longer than fresh leaf.
- A 2023 study found dried Silvervine leaf suitable as a scent for cat play, and found no sign of dependence.
- Silvervine and catnip are two different plants, and switching between them can renew interest. Our article Silvervine vs Catnip explains how they differ.
Best For
- Gentle senior play. A soft body for batting and hugging, at your cat's own pace.
- Your cat's play style. Small shapes suit batting and carrying; long ones suit hugging and kicking.
- Choose the fabric. Fluffy, brushed or short plush, sherpa or print: your cat picks the one it likes under its paws.
- A gift for friends. Small and light, it wraps up nicely for a friend with a cat.
Why Choose MoriCat
- Another chance. No luck with catnip? Silvervine gives your cat another try.
- Real leaf inside. Plenty of toys labelled Silvervine aren't; ours hold real leaf.
- Backed by research. Research found the dried leaf we use benefits cats as a scent.
- Loved by many cats. It's what owners come back to tell us, time and time again.
Start the First Session
We recommend Silvervine play for cats from 6 months of age, with you in the room. A good rhythm is 10 to 15 minutes at a time, once or twice a week. With more than one cat at home, we suggest one plush per cat, so nobody waits for a turn.
- Let your cat make the first move. Set the plush on the floor where your cat already plays or rests. Wait for your cat to walk over to it on its own.
- Know a response when you see it. A cat that responds may sniff, lick and chew the plush. It may also rub its face on it, hug it or roll over.
- Put it away dry. Pick it up when time is up or your cat walks off. Let damp spots air-dry in the shade until they feel dry.
If your cat isn't interested
Put it away and try again another day. Silvervine may simply not be your cat's thing; not every cat responds. Catnip is a different plant and may be worth a try. If neither herb catches your cat's interest, play doesn't need scent: veterinary guidelines for cats (AAFP and ISFM, 2013) recommend play that lets a cat act out the hunt. A feather wand drawn slowly along the floor gives an older cat something to stalk and bat without a chase, and a hidden treat gives it something to search out.
Keep It Sealed Between Sessions
Once the plush is dry, it goes back into a sealed bag. Silvervine's scent drifts off into the room, so the less air reaches the leaf, the more scent stays in it.
Small and medium sizes come in a zip-lock bag that reseals, so that bag is worth keeping. A large plush arrives heat-sealed instead. Once that bag is open it can't close again, so an airtight container or resealable bag of your own takes over.
Kept closed at room temperature, out of direct sun, the plush stays effective for months. The fridge and freezer are the wrong places for it.
Know When to Replace It
Because the leaf sits inside the stuffing, the plush can't be refilled. Whichever fabric you pick, it can't be washed either. Once it's dirty, or the fabric tears or leaf starts coming out, it's time for a new one.
Care & Safety
- Storage: Between sessions, keep it away from sun, heat, fridge and freezer.
- Cleaning: With leaf in the stuffing, it can't be washed or refilled.
- Supervision: Supervised play recommended, for cats aged 6 months and up.
- Pets only: For pet use only, not for children. No toy is indestructible.
- Damage: Stop using it if it's damaged, broken or has parts missing.
- If swallowed: If your pet swallows any small part, contact a vet right away.
- Disposal: Dispose of the toy and packaging according to local rules.
However your cat plays, old friends deserve new games.