Lavender plants safe for cats

Lavender is toxic to cats, especially when consumed. Keeping lavender plants and essential oils away from your cat can prevent accidental poisoning that can be life-threatening.

Lavender is a popular herbaceous plant praised for its aroma and calming properties in people, which may cause you to wonder if it's safe for cats. Unfortunately, lavender is neither safe nor beneficial for cats. Although it's unlikely to cause a life-threatening issue, lavender exposure can cause some unpleasant effects in cats that may require veterinary attention. Here's what you need to know about lavender and cats and how to keep your cat safe around the plant. This is primarily due to the presence of the chemical compounds linalool and linalyl acetate, which can irritate the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tracts of cats.

Lavender plants safe for cats

There seems to be mixed messages online regarding lavender plants and cats. As lavender is one of my favourite shrubs I though I would do some testing and digging…. Do cats like lavender? While a minority of cats do seem to enjoy the aroma of lavender, the majority of cats do not. I know many of my readers use lavender as a cat repeller so I switched off my CatWatch Cat deterrent and placed a potted lavender on the step. This meant a cat had to brush past the lavender to enter the garden in that corner. That lovely aroma the lavender produces is actually a natural repellent the plant uses to keep insects and grazing animals away so you would expect it to make a good cat repellent. Based on my own observations though I would have to say lavender is not the best natural cat repellent. While it is true that the majority of cats seem to dislike the smell of lavender, too many times I watched a cat brush by the plant with not a care in the world. There are plenty of other plants to deter cats that I would grow before relying on Lavender. If you have a cat that seems to enjoy the aroma of lavender it should come to no harm brushing against it, smelling it or even sunbathing amongst it. A cat would have to eat an awful lot of the plant to be at risk of death. Eating too much will result in vomiting and nausea though. The main toxic ingredient found in lavender is Linalool, the plants own natural insect repellent. Linalool is used commercially as an external flea controller for both cats and dogs.

Lavender essential oil like all other essential oils is concentrated which means the enzymes can be up to times stronger than those of the plants it is extracted from. Cats with severe anxiety may benefit from a prescription medication along with behavior modification to reduce stress.

Free U. Lavender is one of the most soothing scents out there. While the flowers are beautiful and make for perfect curb appeal, lavender oil can often be found in natural remedy sleep aids, soaps, and candles. However, if you have a cat, you should be wary of having lavender in easy access to them. Lavender is mildly toxic to cats. While it is not typically fatal, it can cause health issues for them.

Lavender is a popular herbaceous plant praised for its aroma and calming properties in people, which may cause you to wonder if it's safe for cats. Unfortunately, lavender is neither safe nor beneficial for cats. Although it's unlikely to cause a life-threatening issue, lavender exposure can cause some unpleasant effects in cats that may require veterinary attention. Here's what you need to know about lavender and cats and how to keep your cat safe around the plant. This is primarily due to the presence of the chemical compounds linalool and linalyl acetate, which can irritate the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tracts of cats. In addition, these chemicals are metabolized in the liver and may cause liver damage. Cats may be exposed to lavender by ingesting the plant fresh or dried , inhaling or licking the essential oil, or coming into contact with products that contain lavender.

Lavender plants safe for cats

Luqman Javed. Click to Skip Ahead. Lavender, in its various forms, is one of the most popular substances on the planet. As a plant, its beautiful purple flowers and nice fragrance make it a great addition to any home. Lavender extracts are also used as a herbal remedy in the treatment of stress and anxiety , among several other issues. Lavender is not beneficial to cats. In fact, you are advised to keep it as far away as possible from your kitty, as it is toxic for cats. Here is everything you need to know about cats and lavender. These include linalyl acetate and linalool, which, interestingly, are quite common among flowers. Therefore, before introducing any flowering plant to a home that has cats, it is important to make sure that it does not contain compounds that could be toxic.

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And they may ask you to perform some simple checks on them if needed. Lavender-based cat products like flea sprays have much lower concentrations of lavender than those made for humans. However, you should still be careful because your cat could find a way to ingest essential oils from a diffuser. At the very least, a diffuser may cause lung irritation, coughing, and even breathing problems. Lavender is a flowering subshrub with violet-blue flowers and bluish-green to silver needles. How much is:. However, the plant is most commonly used as a fragrance, calming aid, and health supplement for people. After your video call, the vet will send you a message with a custom treatment plan to help your pet feel better, including a link to buy any recommended prescription or over-the-counter medications. Here's what you need to know about lavender and cats and how to keep your cat safe around the plant. Lavender Plant Profile Plugin Author? This is primarily due to the presence of the chemical compounds linalool and linalyl acetate, which can irritate the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tracts of cats. Talk to your vet before using any new lavender products — especially if your cat has a history of allergies or sensitivities. Of course, cats should never ingest these oils. Frequently Asked Questions Who is Dutch?

Studies have proven—through science —that lavender decreases anxiety in humans. So, is lavender safe for cats?

While the flowers are beautiful and make for perfect curb appeal, lavender oil can often be found in natural remedy sleep aids, soaps, and candles. Your veterinarian can refer you to a certified animal behavior professional for help. However, it's not a good idea to keep any form of lavender around your cat. Cats may be exposed to lavender by ingesting the plant fresh or dried , inhaling or licking the essential oil, or coming into contact with products that contain lavender. Can Cats Eat Lavender? Wilson, Julia. Get fast, affordable vet care from home. And they may ask you to perform some simple checks on them if needed. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats cannot process in their livers. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. Dutch is an online veterinary pet telehealth service, created by pet parents and board-certified veterinary specialists. Essential oils that are known to cause poisoning in cats include oil of wintergreen, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil d-limonene , pine oils, Ylang Ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, pennyroyal oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil. Lavender Oil Vs. Related Blog Posts.