I bought the Purriq Natural Silvervine Dental Sticks because I wanted something that would give my cats something interesting to chew on while supposedly helping with their teeth. They both have plenty of toys, but cats have a special talent for becoming obsessed with the one thing they probably shouldn’t be chewing, so I liked the idea of giving them something specifically made for chewing instead.
Key Takeaways
- Both of my cats were interested in the silvervine sticks.
- They give them something appropriate to chew and play with.
- I like that they are made from natural silvervine rather than being another plastic toy.
- I am still cautious about choking or pieces becoming loose.
- I supervise my cats while they use them.
- I would replace a stick once it became too small or noticeably worn.
- I see these more as enrichment with a possible dental benefit than a replacement for proper dental care.
What Are Purriq Natural Silvervine Dental Sticks?
Purriq Natural Silvervine Dental Sticks are chew toys made primarily from silvervine wood, with the sticks also featuring things such as gall fruit, sisal rope, and raffia grass. The idea is that cats chew on the natural material while the texture provides some contact with their teeth and gums.
Purriq also markets them as a way to reduce plaque and tartar, freshen breath, encourage chewing, provide enrichment, and give cats an alternative to chewing things around the house.
That combination is what made me interested. If my cats are going to chew something anyway, I would much rather give them something intended for cats than let them attack random cardboard, plastic, cords, or whatever else they happen to discover.
Why I Bought Them
The main reason I bought these was simple: I wanted something my cats would actually enjoy. Dental care is also part of the appeal because getting cats to cooperate with anything involving their mouths can be an entirely different situation. The idea of a chew toy that could provide some additional contact with their teeth without me having to turn it into a whole event sounded convenient.
But I wasn’t buying these with the expectation that a stick was suddenly going to replace brushing or proper veterinary dental care. I saw them more as something extra that could make chewing and playtime a little more useful.
My Experience With Purriq Silvervine Dental Sticks
The first thing I noticed was that my cats were actually interested in them, which is not something I take for granted. Cats can look directly at a brand-new toy, decide it has offended them personally, and then go back to playing with the packaging it came in. These got considerably more attention.
They sniffed them, played with them and started chewing, which was exactly what I wanted. I like watching them interact with something that gives them a little stimulation rather than just throwing another toy on the floor and hoping they care.
The sticks also give them a satisfying chewing activity. I don’t have to constantly encourage them to use them because the silvervine itself is what gets their attention.
That said, this is where my slightly paranoid cat-parent side comes out. I don’t completely relax just because something is labelled natural. Whenever either of my cats is chewing one, I keep an eye on what they’re doing. My concern isn’t really that silvervine itself is some scary ingredient. It’s the physical nature of the product. Anything a cat is actively chewing can eventually become worn down, loosen, break, or produce pieces that a cat could potentially swallow.
The sticks also have additional materials attached to them, including sisal and other natural fibres, so I pay attention to those parts too. If I notice something becoming excessively loose or the stick getting small enough that I think it could become a swallowing hazard, that’s when I would take it away.
Purriq itself says the sticks are made from natural materials and describes small amounts of silvervine ingestion as safe, while its current guidance also says to supervise cats and replace the stick once it becomes too small or worn.
That basically matches how I use them anyway. I don’t leave my cats alone with them for hours and assume nothing could possibly happen. I give them the sticks, let them enjoy themselves, and keep an eye on them while they’re chewing. Considering I have two cats, I’m also watching both because one can be calmly chewing while the other decides that the entire stick needs to become a personal possession.
As far as the actual chewing experience goes, I like having these around. They give my cats something different to do, and I like that the activity involves chewing rather than just batting a toy around.
Do Purriq Silvervine Sticks Actually Clean Cats’ Teeth?
I would keep my expectations reasonable here. The texture of the silvervine wood and the other materials can certainly come into contact with the teeth while a cat chews, which is why the product is marketed as a dental chew. Purriq claims the natural fibres help reduce plaque and tartar and freshen breath.
But I’m not treating these as a substitute for actual dental care. For me, the dental benefit is a nice bonus rather than the entire reason I bought them. If my cats enjoy chewing them and there is some additional mechanical contact with their teeth in the process, great. I’m not going to assume that means their dental care is officially handled because they have a silvervine stick.
What I Loved
- My cats are actually interested in them.
- They provide a different type of enrichment from their usual toys.
- I like giving them something specifically designed for chewing.
- The natural silvervine material is appealing to me.
- They keep my cats occupied for a while.
- The potential dental benefit is a nice extra.
What I Didn’t Love
My biggest issue isn’t really the concept of the sticks. It’s the fact that I feel the need to supervise my cats while they’re using them.
I know some people may look at that as excessive, but I would rather be cautious with something they’re actively chewing. I’m particularly conscious of choking hazards and anything that could become loose or small enough to swallow.
So while I like the product, I wouldn’t describe it as something I personally feel comfortable leaving out indefinitely for my cats to chew whenever they want.
Are Purriq Silvervine Dental Sticks Safe?
This is probably the question I would have before buying them too. Purriq describes the sticks as natural and says they are safe for cats when used as intended. The company also specifically recommends replacing them when they become too small or worn.
For my cats, I take that a step further by supervising them. That doesn’t mean I think the product is inherently dangerous. It means I don’t assume that because something is marketed as a natural cat chew, there is zero possibility of a physical hazard. Cats chew differently, and one cat may gently gnaw something while another decides it needs to destroy it immediately.
I also wouldn’t give them to a cat that had previously shown a tendency to swallow pieces of toys or other objects without discussing that concern with a veterinarian.
Are They Worth It?
For me, yes, with the understanding that I’m buying them as a chew and enrichment product with a potential dental benefit, not as a replacement for proper cat dental care.
My two cats enjoy them, and that’s already a major point in their favour. I also like having something appropriate for them to chew rather than watching them find their own questionable alternatives around the house.
The only thing that keeps me from being completely carefree about them is the physical safety aspect. I don’t want to assume a chew toy is automatically harmless simply because it’s natural, so I supervise and replace the sticks when they become too worn.
Who I Think Will Like Them
I think these are worth trying if your cat enjoys chewing, silvervine, or interactive toys and you want to give them something different from the usual balls, mice and catnip toys.
They’re particularly appealing if you want enrichment that also has some potential dental benefit.
Who Should Skip Them
I would be more cautious if your cat:
- Tends to swallow pieces of toys.
- Aggressively destroys chew toys.
- Has a history of choking or swallowing foreign objects.
- Shows no interest in silvervine or chew toys.
- Needs actual dental treatment rather than an enrichment product.
Alternatives
- Purr Harbor Premium Silvervine Sticks
- RYERCAT Silvervine Dental Chews
Conclusion
I like the Purriq Natural Silvervine Dental Sticks, mainly because my two cats actually enjoy them. They give them something interesting to chew, provide some extra enrichment, and I like the idea that the chewing may offer some additional contact with their teeth.
I’m just not at the point where I would toss a stick on the floor and completely forget about it. I’m lowkey worried about choking hazards and allergies whenever my cats are trying something new, so I keep an eye on them while they’re using these. I also check the sticks as they get worn down and would take one away if it became too small or if any of the attached materials started coming loose.
For me, that doesn’t make the product a bad one. It just means I’m treating it like a chew toy rather than an indestructible piece of cat furniture.
Would I buy them again?
Yes, I probably would. My cats enjoy them, and I like having a natural chewing option available. I just wouldn’t stop paying attention to what they’re doing with them simply because the product is marketed as natural and safe.
Would I recommend them?
Yes, with supervision. If your cat enjoys silvervine and likes chewing, I think they’re worth trying. Just keep an eye on your cat, inspect the stick as it wears down, and don’t treat a dental chew as a substitute for proper dental care.
Also read my similar review of the Wag & Whiskers Cat Calming Diffuser