Cattem Kebab Silvervine Cat Toy — Natural Matatabi Chew Stick, Catnip Alternative for Cats

The Chew Toy for Cats That Ignore Catnip

Looking for a catnip alternative that actually works? Meet silvervine gall fruit — the most prized natural form of Japan's famous matatabi, and the reason this little skewer outperforms the catnip toys gathering dust in your cat's basket.

The Cattem Kebab threads three whole dried gall fruits onto a real silvervine branch. Zero plastic. No synthetic fragrances. No dyes. Just the plant, in its most effective form.

Also known as: matatabi・マタタビ（木天蓼）・마따따비・silver vine

What Is Silvervine (Matatabi)?

Never heard of silvervine? You're not alone — it's only just arriving in Australia, but across Japan and Korea it's been the go-to cat treat for generations.

Silvervine (Actinidia polygama) is a climbing vine from the mountains of East Asia — a close cousin of the kiwifruit plant. In Japan it's called matatabi (マタタビ, 木天蓼) and in Korea 마따따비, and its effect on cats is so famous there's an old Japanese saying, "neko ni matatabi" (猫にまたたび) — "matatabi to a cat" — used the way we'd say "like a kid in a candy store."

Think of it as East Asia's answer to catnip, but more reliable. When cats sniff or chew the dried fruit, most respond with the same happy rolling, rubbing, and purring you'd expect from catnip — except silvervine works on far more cats. The response comes from natural plant compounds (actinidine and related lactones); it's completely non-toxic, non-addictive, and cats simply walk away when they've had enough.

What makes the Kebab special is the gall fruit. When a tiny native insect visits the silvervine flower, the plant responds by growing a knobbly, dense version of its fruit — the gall fruit (蟲癭果). This natural process concentrates the aromatic compounds cats respond to, which is why gall fruit is traditionally regarded as the most potent grade of matatabi — well above ordinary fruit, powder, or plain sticks. Most cheap silvervine toys use the plain stuff; the gall fruit is the good stuff.

Why Silvervine Instead of Catnip?

• Works on catnip-immune cats — around 70–80% of cats respond to silvervine, including many cats that show no interest in standard catnip. If your cat has ever ignored a catnip toy, silvervine is the one to try next.
• Gall fruit, not filler — whole dried gall fruits, the form of silvervine with the highest concentration of active compounds. Many cheaper toys use only silvervine powder or plain sticks.
• Satisfies the natural chew instinct — unlike plush toys, the textured gall fruits give cats a natural surface to gnaw, encouraging active chewing engagement and helping redirect it away from your furniture.
• The perfect boredom breaker — delivers a 5–15 minute burst of rolling, rubbing, and happy chaos. Ideal enrichment for indoor cats between play sessions.
• Natural and mess-friendly — bound with edible glue, so incidental licking and nibbling is harmless. A little natural powder shedding from the gall fruits is normal, not a defect.
• Compact by design — at 12cm (about the length of a pen), it's the right size for paws and jaws, and easy to stash away between rotation sessions.

How to Maximise Playtime

Offer the Kebab when your cat seems restless or bored. Watch them sniff, lick, chew, and roll — the response typically lasts 5–15 minutes.

Pro tip: to keep the effect fresh, put the toy away once your cat loses interest and reintroduce it after at least 2 hours. Rotated like this, a single Kebab stays effective for months.

Safety & Care Notes

• Supervise play, especially the first session.
• Precautions: silvervine is naturally stimulating — not recommended for pregnant cats or cats with heart conditions or high blood pressure. For senior or frail cats, observe closely during play. Kittens and senior cats may show little or no response; this is normal.
• Care: do not wash with water. Wipe with a damp cloth and air-dry. Store in a ventilated spot away from direct sunlight to preserve the natural aroma.
• Not food: made with edible-grade materials, so incidental nibbling is harmless — but it's a toy, not a treat. Take it away if your cat starts consuming rather than playing.
• Remove and discard the desiccant sachet before giving the toy to your cat. Keep packaging away from children under 3 years.

Specifications

From Korea's New Wave of Pet Design

The Cattem Kebab comes from Cattem (캣템), a Korean brand stocked by Korea's major pet retailers. Korea's pet scene has become one of the most design-forward in Asia — the same attention to natural materials and playful detail you see in K-beauty now shows up in cat products, and Cattem's food-themed natural toy series (kebabs, lollipops, churros) is a perfect example. Nekono brings the best of Japanese and Korean cat culture to Australia, so your cat gets what cats in Seoul and Tokyo are playing with.

Why Buy From Nekono Australia?

Nekono hand-picks natural, well-made cat products from across Asia, so Australian cat owners get the good stuff without the guesswork. Every product we stock is one we'd give our own cats. Fast shipping from our Sydney warehouse via Australia Post.

Frequently Asked Questions