There is no verified September 2026 catnip release in the supplied evidence. The newest documented finding is a May 12, 2026 study comparing catnip with silver vine, a different plant-based feline attractant. The study suggests silver vine may work better for cats that ignore catnip, but it does not show that catnip has become ineffective or unsafe. Cat responses still vary widely.
Table of Contents
- What the 2026 study found
- Why chemical strength did not predict behavior
- Is catnip still useful?
- What are the study's limits?
- How to use catnip safely
What the 2026 study found
In an outdoor free-choice test, five of six free-roaming cats rubbed or rolled on silver vine. None showed that behavior on nearby growing or freshly harvested catnip.
This suggests fresh catnip may be less reliable than silver vine in that setting, according to the Journal of Chemical Ecology study published by Springer Nature. A second test offered extracts to 22 captive purebred cats: For owners, the practical takeaway is simple: silver vine is a reasonable enrichment alternative when a cat ignores catnip.
- 15 responded only to silver vine.
- Three responded only to catnip.
- One responded to both.
- Three only sniffed the extracts.
Why chemical strength did not predict behavior
The study measured about 170 times more bioactive iridoids in catnip than in the silver-vine extract. Iridoids are plant chemicals associated with the scent response in these plants. Despite that difference, the cats showed more rubbing and rolling toward silver vine in the study.
Chemical quantity alone therefore did not predict voluntary behavior. A stronger measured concentration does not guarantee that a particular cat will enjoy the product. This also helps explain why buying a highly concentrated catnip product may not solve the problem. A cat may simply respond more strongly to a different plant or presentation.
Is catnip still useful?
Yes. Catnip remains useful enrichment for cats that respond to it. The Merck Veterinary Manual estimates that about 50–60% of cats respond, so ignoring catnip is common rather than unusual.
Catnip is *Nepeta cataria*. Its main active compound, nepetalactone, can produce short-lived excitement or relaxation, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. A cat that does not react to catnip may still enjoy: The broader goal is varied enrichment, not making every cat respond to catnip.
- Silver vine products.
- Toys with different scents or textures.
- Climbing, scratching, hiding, and play opportunities.
What are the study's limits?
The silver-vine preference is not universal proof for every cat. The outdoor test involved one catnip patch, one silver-vine population, and only six free-roaming cats. Presentation, freshness, environment, and prior experience may affect the result.
The captive test also involved a specific group of 22 purebred cats. Its results support silver vine as an alternative, but they do not establish that all cats prefer it or that all catnip products perform the same way. Owners should treat the findings as a useful comparison, not a rule. If a cat enjoys catnip safely, there is no evidence here that it needs to switch.
How to use catnip safely
Some cats become agitated with catnip. VCA advises avoiding catnip products for cats that show that reaction.
Catnip is also not risk-free when eaten in quantity. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control guidance identifies nepetalactone as its toxic principle and reports possible vomiting or diarrhea. If a cat becomes ill after eating catnip: For a cat that becomes overstimulated, stop using the product rather than increasing the amount.
- Remove the product and prevent further access.
- Contact a veterinarian or poison service.
- Report vomiting or diarrhea, especially if symptoms continue or worsen.