Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats

Uenoyama, R, Ooka, S, Miyazaki, T, Mizumoto, H, Nishikawa, T, Hurst, JL ORCID: 0000-0002-3728-9624 and Miyazaki, M ORCID: 0000-0003-2579-1788 (2023) Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats Iscience, 26 (10). 107848-. ISSN 2589-0042, 2589-0042

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

PDF Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats.pdf - Open Access published version Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

Olfactory enrichment is a strategy that can improve welfare among animals managed in captivity, such as household domestic cats. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) that produce iridoids are used as olfactory enrichments for cats, but little is known about the safety or the best plant resources to use that maximize positive cat responses. We report physiological effects and suitable harvest and drying methods for using silver vine as olfactory enrichment. Continuous exposure of cats to silver vine showed no hallmarks of addictive behavior, while blood indicators of stress and hepatic or renal injury showed no increase in cats stimulated with it. Drying the leaves changed the iridoid profile, enhancing the feline response. In conclusion, dried silver vine leaves are the most suitable resource for developing olfactory enrichment that maximizes feline typical response, which would not result in dependence, stress, or toxicity to the liver or kidneys in cats.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals, Phytochemistry, Toxicology
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2023 17:05
Last Modified:	22 May 2026 21:27
DOI:	10.1016/j.isci.2023.107848
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107848
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177122
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.