Make the Most of Playtime with Silvervine

Here kitty kitty kitty! Wanna play? Let’s break out the silvervine!

Maybe you just received your first tin of KittiKrack™silvervine powder and aren’t sure how best to introduce it to your cats…or perhaps your kitties are already connoisseurs of this aromatic powder, but you want to make sure they’re getting the most enjoyment from it. Whether your feline companions are novices or experts, the tips below are sure to help maximize the fun for every cat!

FOR AGES 6 MONTHS AND OLDER

Silvervine is safe for kitties of all ages, but many cats don’t respond to it until they’re at least 6 months of age. If you have young kittens in your household, you may want to wait to introduce them to silvervine until they’re old enough to fully enjoy it.

LESS IS MORE

A little goes a long way, so always start with a small amount of silvervine powder. We recommend that you don’t use more than 1/4 of a teaspoon (approximately 0.5 grams) during one playtime session.

HOW TO APPLY

Most cats will respond to the scent of silvervine no matter how you present it to them. The simplest way to offer it is by sprinkling a small amount of the powder on a towel or blanket, on your cat’s bed, or scratching post. If your kitty has a favorite toy, roll the toy in silvervine powder before gently tossing it in the air. You can also insert silvervine in the refillable pocket of a cat toy or place a small amount in a sock made of a loosely woven material. Even though silvervine powder is safe and nontoxic to cats, we don’t recommend that you add it to their food as its aroma is more appealing than its taste.

MY SPACE

If you have an extended cat family, make sure that every feline member of the clowder has his or her own share of silvervine, whether it’s in a toy or sprinkled on a towel. Cats can be territorial, so it’s always a good idea to provide each kitty with an individual space to play and relax.

ROUTINES ARE GOOD

Limiting playtime with silvervine is also important. Consider offering your cat silvervine at a regular time during the day or evening and limiting each silvervine session to 30 minutes. Always put silvervine away when playtime is over. Its effects will wear off in less than 30 minutes and your kitty will return to normal behavior. Some cats may become less reactive to silvervine over time; if this happens, you might limit your kitty’s exposure to silvervine to 2 or 3 times weekly.

CREATE POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS

If you want to combine playtime with positive behavior reinforcement, consider sprinkling silvervine on your cat’s scratching post—which will always be a better alternative to your sofa! If your kitty dislikes the crate you use for trips to the veterinarian, create a positive association by setting up the crate in a quiet corner of the house and then adding some soft, cat-friendly bedding with a small amount of silvervine sprinkled over it.

MAKE EVERYTHING MORE FUN

Silvervine can be used in many situations when you need to introduce your cat to something new such as a toy or a bed or even a new feline companion. In the latter case, just make sure that you provide each kitty with enough space to feel safe but still allow positive interaction. Silvervine can also be used to encourage your cat to get more exercise, which is especially important for overweight kitties that need to lose a few pounds. Silvervine can help fearful and stressed cats relax, and it can boost the mood of an older kitty. If your cats also enjoy catnip, consider alternating the use of catnip with silvervine to add variety to their playtime and reduce the likelihood of them becoming bored with the same toys and routines. Silvervine contains different attractants than catnip, so you may discover that your kitties enjoy silvervine more than catnip.

PARENTAL SUPERVISION ADVISED

Whatever way your cats enjoy silvervine, we recommend that you always supervise them while playing to make sure everyone has a fun and happy experience!