Cats Prefer Silver Vine Over Catnip, Japanese Study Finds

Scientists in Japan just solved a mystery that cat lovers everywhere will want to know about: there's something felines love even more than catnip.

Researchers from Iwate University and Nagoya University discovered that cats strongly prefer silver vine, a plant known in Japan as matatabi, over the traditional catnip we've been giving them for years. The team published their findings in the Journal of Chemical Ecology after observing both wild and domestic cats.

The study began when the team watched six free-roaming cats over 10 days in an outdoor area where both plants were available. Out of 23 visits, the cats chose to roll around and rub themselves in the silver vine patch almost every time, largely ignoring the catnip.

To confirm their observations, the researchers tested 22 domestic cats from different origins, including North America, Europe, and the Middle East. They presented both plant extracts simultaneously. Fifteen cats showed the classic rolling and rubbing behavior with silver vine, while only three responded that way to catnip.

Here's the surprising twist: chemical analysis revealed that catnip actually contains 170 times more nepetalactone, the compound thought to attract cats, than silver vine does. Professor Masao Miyazaki explained that cats aren't simply responding to smell alone. The strong scent of raw catnip might actually be too overpowering for cats to enjoy.

Why This Inspires

This discovery goes beyond making our pets happier. The research team's methods are now being used to conduct habitat surveys for endangered wild cat species around the world.

Miyazaki hopes the findings will help zoos, sanctuaries, and wildlife organizations encourage natural behaviors in captive cats and improve their quality of life. Understanding what truly attracts cats could make a real difference in conservation efforts.

The study challenges a long-held assumption that more of an attractant compound means better results. Sometimes nature works in ways we don't expect, and cats have been trying to tell us their preferences all along.

This research proves that even with animals we've lived alongside for thousands of years, there's always more to learn about what makes them happy.