M-PETS Herball ? Interactive Cat Toy for Furball Control, Boredom Relief & Dental Care.
These are all toys / cat-stimulating products, but they come from different materials / active plants and have slightly different effects.
What’s the difference
1. Matatabi ball
• Matatabi is another name for silvervine (Actinidia polygama).
• Silvervine contains several compounds (not just one) that stimulate cats — e.g., actinidine, dihydroactinidiolide.
• When built into a ball (or stick), matatabi/silvervine releases these scents / oils when cats lick, chew or rub it.
• Behavior: many cats will roll, drool, lick, chew — a “euphoric” reaction.
• Some matatabi sticks can also be used for chewing — helps with mild dental cleaning / plaque.
2. Herball Catnip Ball
• This is more of a traditional catnip (Nepeta cataria) toy. For example: Herball Catnip Ball
• Catnip works via the chemical nepetalactone, which is different from the active compounds in silvervine.
• Effects: many cats react with rolling, rubbing, zoomies. But not all cats respond (depends on genetics).
• The Herball ball toy is designed to spin / rotate (360°) — encourages play and “interactive” movement.
• Also claims: helps clean teeth (because of rotation / chewing), and supports furball expulsion.
3. Gall Fruit Ball
• This refers to silvervine gall fruit: when insects lay eggs in silvervine, the plant forms a “gall” (a kind of growth) — these have very high concentrations of the active attractants.
• These “gall fruits” are very potent and are often considered the strongest form of silvervine for cats.
• They’re usually dried and can be used as toys: cats bat them, chew them, rub against them.
• Also, not all parts of the silvervine plant are equally strong — the gall fruit is the most potent.
Which One to Use / When
• Use a matatabi / silvervine ball if: your cat doesn’t respond much to catnip, or you want a toy that’s more than just “nip” — chewing + scent + textures.
• Use the Herball Catnip Ball for more classic catnip play, especially for cats that dorespond to catnip.
• Use gall fruit if you want something very potent and natural, but supervise play carefully (risk of hard bits / choking).
• Alternate: Some cat owners rotate — use silvervine one day, then catnip on another toy — keeps stimulation fresh.
