Choosing between CatTwig and NomSticks comes down to understanding how each product is made and what kind of play experience it creates for your cat.
CatTwig is known for selling raw, bark-on silvervine (matatabi) sticks. NomSticks takes a different approach, using curated silvervine wood wrapped with natural sisal rope and raffia, topped with a gall fruit for extra scent and engagement.
Both products trigger your cat’s natural urge to chew, sniff, and play. Both can support enrichment and basic dental benefits. But the overall quality and consistency are not the same.
This breakdown shows the key differences so you can choose confidently.
CatTwig vs NomSticks: How They Compare
On paper, both brands offer silvervine and claim similar benefits: Play, stress relief, and dental support through chewing.
But the differences in materials, construction, aroma strength, and quality control lead to very different experiences for your cat. NomSticks are curated for consistency and come ready to use, while CatTwig sticks often vary from piece to piece.
If you want sticks that are designed for reliable engagement and happier play sessions, NomSticks is the stronger option.
| Feature | CatTwig | NomSticks™ |
|---|---|---|
| Stick format | ❌ Raw, bark-on silvervine (matatabi) sticks only | ✅ Curated silvervine wood sticks wrapped with natural sisal rope, raffia, and a gall fruit topper |
| Aroma activation | ❌ Natural oils need to be rubbed or scraped out for full effect | ✅ Ready-to-use aroma straight from the package, no scraping or rubbing |
| Stick selection & consistency | ❌ Natural, unsorted sticks with wide variation in thickness, texture, and aroma | ✅ Each stick screened for diameter, bark quality, aroma strength, and density to reduce “duds” |
| Materials | ❌ 100% silvervine wood only, no added textures | ✅ Silvervine wood, natural sisal rope, natural raffia, food-grade adhesive, and gall fruit topper |
| Durability | ❌ Plain sticks can wear down or splinter faster and lose interest quickly | ✅ Thicker sticks plus rope wrap for longer-lasting chewing and more sustained engagement |
| Engagement style | ❌ Mostly chewing and basic rubbing on bare wood | ✅ Chewing, rubbing, batting, grabbing, and sniffing across multiple textures and surfaces |
| Safety transparency | ❌ Claims 100% natural wood but limited detail on selection or testing standards | ✅ Clear ingredient list, no elastic bands, no synthetic fibers, no unknown glues. Crafted for supervised, safe play |
| Consistency of engagement | ❌ Reviews mention some cats ignoring sticks or losing interest quickly | ✅ Curated, batch-checked sticks mean more predictable reactions and fewer ignored pieces |
| Brand philosophy | ❌ Basic raw-silvervine offering with limited educational guidance | ✅ Wellness-oriented brand built by a real cat owner, focused on enrichment, stress relief, and safer play |
| Best suited for | ❌ Owners who want simple raw silvervine sticks and don’t mind hit-or-miss reactions | ✅ Cat parents who want curated, multi-texture, consistency-focused silvervine enrichment |
CatTwig vs NomSticks: How to Choose
CatTwig sells raw, bark-on silvervine sticks. They work for some cats, but reactions vary a lot. Sessions typically last 20–30 minutes and only a few times a week. Many reviewers say their cats enjoy them, but just as many say their cats ignore them completely.
NomSticks, on the other hand, are crafted for predictable results. The mix of silvervine wood, sisal rope, raffia, and gall fruit encourages chewing, batting, rubbing, and grabbing. Every stick is checked for aroma, thickness, and bark quality so you get fewer “duds.” They’re also ready to use right out of the box with no prep.
If you want reliability, safe materials, and a better overall play experience, NomSticks is the clear choice.
Ready for silvervine your cat actually engages with?
NomSticks are curated, consistent, and designed for real enrichment — not hit-or-miss reactions.
Shop NomSticks Silvervine SticksNomSticks Overview
Selective Silvervine Screening
Every batch is screened for diameter, bark integrity, density, and aroma strength. Sticks that are too thin, brittle, or low-aroma are rejected. This reduces ignored sticks and gives your cat a more consistent reaction than raw options like CatTwig.
Multi-Texture Enrichment Design
NomSticks offer multiple natural textures from silvervine wood, sisal rope, raffia, and gall fruit. This lets cats chew, sniff, rub, bat, and hold the toy in different ways. More textures mean more engagement and more enrichment than plain wood sticks.
Ready to Use, No Prep Needed
CatTwig sticks need to be rubbed or scraped to release oils, and their scent fades quickly. NomSticks are ready for supervised play immediately. No prep or scraping, all you do is open the pack and let your cat enjoy.
Premium Presentation & Clear Guidance
Most silvervine brands focus on the cheapest possible packaging. NomSticks use biodegradable, branded packaging that looks good and is safe for the environment and your cat. You also get clear usage guidance, so you know exactly how to use the product safely.
Wellness-First Brand Built by a Cat Owner
NomSticks was created by a real cat owner who uses the product daily with his own cat. The focus is long-term enrichment, stress relief, and safety, not pumping out the cheapest sticks possible.
Cons of NomSticks
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Higher price than basic raw sticks like CatTwig
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Best for owners who care about quality and consistency
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Requires supervised play (as with any rope-wrapped toy)
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Small-batch production means occasional sellouts
CatTwig Overview
Raw Silvervine Sticks (Bark-On Matatabi)
CatTwig sells 100% natural bark-on silvervine sticks. They offer basic chewing and scent stimulation, but without sisal rope, raffia, or a gall fruit topper, the experience is limited to one texture. Based on feline enrichment principles, raw wood offers far fewer engagement points than multi-texture toys.
Dental & Stress-Relief Claims
Chewing bark can help exfoliate plaque, and silvervine is known to promote playful behavior followed by calm. Studies examining how silvervine affects cats show why many cats respond so strongly to it. These benefits are real, but without added textures or scent boosters, the results are milder than what you get with NomSticks.
Session-Based Use and Prep
CatTwig recommends rubbing each stick to release oils, then limiting play to 20–30 minutes for 2–3 sessions a week. This isn’t because your cat gets overstimulated, it’s because plain sticks often lose their appeal quickly.
Mixed Customer Reactions
Reviews for CatTwig are a coin flip. Some cats love the sticks, while many ignore them or lose interest fast. This is mainly due to the natural variability of unscreened silvervine wood.
Cons of CatTwig
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Reactions are hit-or-miss
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No multi-texture enrichment
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Requires prep and timed sessions
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Aroma and appeal vary between sticks
CatTwig or NomSticks: Which Should You Choose?
If you want the simplest, lowest-effort silvervine option and you don’t mind inconsistent reactions, CatTwig is fine.
But if you care about quality, consistency, safety, and long-lasting enrichment, NomSticks is the easy choice for most cat parents.
Give Your Cat a Better Silvervine Experience
If you want safer materials, better aroma, and more consistent engagement, NomSticks is the easy choice.
Shop NomSticks Silvervine Sticks