What Is Matatabi? The Japanese Cat Herb Taking Over the Internet

 

Originally published 5/11/26. 

Last reviewed: 5/11/26

 

 

TL;DR

 

 

Matatabi is the Japanese name for silvervine (Actinidia polygama) — they are the exact same plant. It is a natural cat herb from East Asia that triggers a safe, temporary euphoric response by activating cats' opioid receptors. Approximately 80 percent of cats respond to it, including most cats that show no response to catnip at all. It is non-toxic, non-addictive, and available as loose powder or matatabi sticks.

 

 

What Is Matatabi?

 

 

If you've been on cat TikTok lately, you've probably seen the word matatabi — usually attached to a video of a cat absolutely losing their mind over a wooden stick. And your first question was probably: what is that, exactly, and is it safe?

 

 

Matatabi is the Japanese common name for Actinidia polygama, a climbing vine that grows naturally in the mountainous regions of Japan, China, and Korea. The plant produces small, kiwi-like fruit, distinctively shaped leaves, and dried stems that contain a unique set of compounds that trigger a powerful euphoric response in cats. In Japan, matatabi has been used to delight cats for centuries. There's even a well-known Japanese proverb — "neko ni matatabi" — that roughly translates to "matatabi to a cat," meaning something so irresistible it simply cannot be refused.

 

 

In the Western market, this same plant is almost always sold under the name silvervine. If you've seen both words and wondered if they were different products, they aren't. Matatabi and silvervine are the exact same plant. The only difference is geography and branding.

 

 

Matatabi and Silvervine — Are They the Same Thing?

 

 

Yes. Completely and definitively yes.

 

 

Matatabi is the Japanese name. Silvervine is the English common name. Both refer to Actinidia polygama, the same climbing plant, the same active compounds, the same effect on cats. If you see a product labeled matatabi sticks, silvervine sticks, or even "Japanese catnip," you are looking at the same herb in different packaging.

 

 

This matters because a lot of cat owners end up searching for both terms separately, reading two sets of articles, and coming away more confused than when they started. So to be completely clear: if your cat has already tried silvervine and loved it, they will respond to matatabi. If you've been reading about matatabi on Japanese pet care sites and wondering if it's available in the US, it is — it's just most commonly sold here as silvervine.

 

 

For a deep dive into how this herb compares to traditional catnip across every metric, our guide to catnip vs. silvervine covers the full breakdown. But the short version is that matatabi works better for more cats, and the science backs it up.

 

 

Why Cats React to Matatabi — The Science

 

 

The matatabi response isn't a quirk. It's a genuine neurological event, and researchers have studied it closely enough that we now understand exactly why it happens.

 

 

Unlike catnip, which contains a single active compound called nepetalactone, matatabi contains multiple cat-attracting compounds — most notably actinidine and dihydronepetalactol. These compounds interact with cats' olfactory receptors in a way that triggers a downstream response in the opioid system. A landmark study published in iScience confirmed that when cats rub against matatabi and transfer these compounds to their fur, the result is measurable activation of the same neurological pathways involved in mood, pleasure, and even mild pain relief.

 

 

What that means practically: the rolling, face-rubbing, chirping, and blissed-out flopping you see isn't just play behavior. It's a real neurochemical response. Your cat is genuinely experiencing something pleasurable — not in a harmful or addictive way, but in the same way that a good stretch or a sunny nap feels good.

 

 

Separate peer-reviewed study in BMC Veterinary Research confirmed the response rates: roughly 80 percent of cats respond positively to matatabi, compared to 50 to 70 percent for catnip. Critically, a significant portion of the cats that showed no response to catnip responded strongly to matatabi. The two herbs share some overlap in their chemistry but are different enough that cats who are genetically "catnip-blind" often still have full matatabi responses.

 

 

Matatabi vs. Catnip — The Key Differences

 

 

Both plants are safe. Both produce a temporary euphoric response. Both are widely available and non-addictive. But there are meaningful differences worth understanding.

 

 

Catnip works through a single compound — nepetalactone — that binds to olfactory receptors in cats that have the genetic sensitivity for it. If a cat doesn't have that sensitivity, catnip does nothing for them. There's no workaround. It's simply a genetic miss.

 

 

Matatabi works through multiple compounds. That broader chemical profile is why it reaches cats that catnip doesn't. It's also why the response tends to be more intense in cats that do respond — more compounds engaging more receptors means more signal getting through.

 

 

The other practical difference is format. Catnip is almost always sold as loose dried herb. Matatabi is available as loose powder, but it's also widely available as matatabi sticks — dried wooden stems from the Actinidia polygama plant that cats can chew, bat, and bunny-kick. That chewing action releases the active compounds gradually, which produces a different and often longer experience than a single sniff of powder. For everything you need to know about silvervine as a category, that post covers the full comparison in detail.

 

 

What Are Matatabi Sticks?

 

 

Matatabi sticks are one of the best things to happen to indoor cat enrichment in recent years, and if your cat hasn't tried them, this is the section worth reading carefully.

 

 

A matatabi stick is a dried stem from the Actinidia polygama plant. The wood naturally contains the same active compounds found in the leaves and gall fruit — actinidine and dihydronepetalactol — so when a cat chews on the stick, those compounds are released directly at the source of the chewing action. The result is a sustained, interactive experience that loose powder simply can't replicate.

 

 

What makes sticks particularly effective is the engagement they demand from the cat. A cat chewing a matatabi stick isn't passively sniffing something on the ground. They're gripping, chewing, batting, tossing, and bunny-kicking. That full-body engagement matters especially for indoor cats, who don't get the physical and neurological stimulation that outdoor cats get from hunting. A good matatabi stick session does a lot of that work in a few minutes.

 

 

There's also a dental health benefit that doesn't get talked about enough. The mechanical action of gnawing on the wood helps scrape plaque and soft tartar from the teeth in a way that most cat toys don't address at all. It's not a replacement for veterinary dental care, but it's a meaningful supplement.

 

 

Our silvervine sticks are made from the dried wood of the Actinidia polygama plant with nothing added — no fillers, no synthetic compounds, no preservatives. Just the plant, dried and cut, the way cats have been enjoying matatabi in Japan for centuries. If your cat likes to chew and you've never offered them a matatabi stick, you're about to have a very good day.

 

 

Is Matatabi Safe for Cats?

 

 

Yes. Matatabi is non-toxic, non-addictive, and has a long safety record both in traditional use and in clinical research.

 

 

The euphoric response typically lasts 5 to 30 minutes and then fades naturally as the cat's receptors temporarily desensitize. This built-in shutoff is part of the plant's chemistry — it's not something that needs to be managed by limiting exposure. After a rest period of a few hours, the cat can respond again if re-exposed.

 

 

There are no documented negative health effects from matatabi use in cats. A small number of cats may experience mild digestive softness if they ingest a large amount of loose powder, which is why offering it in moderate amounts makes sense. For sticks specifically, the main practical precaution is supervision — once a stick has been chewed down to a small enough piece that it could pose a swallowing risk, discard it and replace it.

 

 

Kittens under 6 months old typically don't respond to matatabi or catnip. The sensitivity develops alongside sexual maturity and usually kicks in somewhere between 3 and 6 months. If you have a young kitten that walks away unimpressed, give it a few more months before drawing any conclusions.

 

 

How to Introduce Matatabi to Your Cat

 

 

Start simply. If you're using silvervine sticks, place one on the floor near your cat and let them come to it at their own pace. Don't push it toward them or hover. Most cats will approach within a few seconds, sniff, and then escalate quickly from there. First-timers often have their strongest response because the compounds are completely novel to their system.

 

 

If you're using loose powder or a catnip and silvervine blend, sprinkle a small amount on a flat surface, a toy, or a cardboard scratcher. The key is offering it in a calm environment when your cat isn't already overstimulated or anxious. Cats that are stressed or distracted may not respond even to herbs they'd normally love.

 

 

If there's no response the first time, don't write it off. Wait a few hours and try again. Some cats take two or three exposures before they fully engage. And some cats show a subtle response — a slow blink, a gentle paw, a quiet flop — rather than the dramatic rolling behavior you see in videos. Subtle is still a response.

 

 

For ongoing use, offering matatabi a few times per week keeps the experience novel and the response strong. Cats naturally desensitize after each session, but that resets within a few hours. Rotating between a stick one day and a sprinkle of loose herb another day adds variety that helps maintain intensity over time.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Matatabi for Cats

 

 

Is matatabi the same as silvervine?

 

 

Yes. Matatabi and silvervine are the exact same plant — Actinidia polygama. Matatabi is the Japanese name used across East Asia. Silvervine is the English name used in Western markets. Any product labeled matatabi sticks, silvervine sticks, or Japanese catnip comes from the same plant and produces the same effect in cats.

 

 

Why does my cat go crazy for matatabi?

 

 

Matatabi contains two active compounds — actinidine and dihydronepetalactol — that trigger cats' opioid receptors through their sense of smell. This produces a safe, temporary euphoric response: rolling, face rubbing, chirping, and drooling. It is a genuine neurological event, not just excitement, and typically lasts 5 to 30 minutes.

 

 

Are matatabi sticks safe for cats?

 

 

Yes. Matatabi sticks are non-toxic and non-addictive. They are made from dried Actinidia polygama wood with no additives. The only precaution is supervision — discard any piece chewed small enough to swallow. Kittens under 6 months may not respond yet, as sensitivity to matatabi develops with maturity.

 

 

How often can I give my cat matatabi?

 

 

A few times per week is ideal. After each session, cats naturally desensitize for a few hours before they can respond again. Offering matatabi regularly but not constantly keeps the response strong and the experience novel. There is no clinical evidence of harm from frequent use.

 

 

What is the difference between matatabi sticks and loose matatabi powder?

 

 

Matatabi sticks are for chewing, which releases active compounds gradually and produces a longer, more sustained response. Loose powder is better sprinkled on toys or scratchers to trigger play in a specific spot. Sticks also support dental health through the chewing action. Both formats use the same plant and produce the same euphoric response.