Is Lavender Toxic to Dogs and Cats? What Vets Know

Name: Is Lavender Toxic to Dogs and Cats? What Vets Know
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

Is lavender toxic to dogs and cats? Yes, the ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to both species, but the real-world risk depends heavily on the form your pet encounters [1]. Nibbling a lavender plant may cause mild stomach upset, while concentrated essential oil can trigger more serious signs. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, with linalool and linalyl acetate as the toxic principles [1].
The dried plant and fresh flowers are low risk in small amounts. Signs are usually mild: nausea, vomiting, and going off food [1].
Concentrated lavender essential oil is the bigger concern. It contains far higher levels of the same compounds than the plant does.
Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs. Safe feed levels for lavender oil are lower for cats than for dogs [2].
If your pet ate lavender oil, chewed a diffuser, or is vomiting or wobbly, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away.

Is Lavender Toxic to Dogs and Cats? What the Plant Record Says

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists lavender, also called common lavender or English lavender, as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses [1]. The plant belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and the compounds behind its scent are linalool and linalyl acetate [1].

That listing can sound alarming. In practice, most pets who chew a lavender leaf or flower have mild signs or none at all. The reported clinical signs are nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite [1]. Horses are noted separately because vomiting is not part of their expected picture [1].

The word "toxic" covers a wide range. A plant that causes an upset stomach in a large dog is a different situation from a bottle of concentrated oil spilled on a cat's coat. Keep that distinction in mind as you read the rest of this article.

Which Parts and Products Are Risky?

The plant itself

Fresh or dried lavender flowers and leaves contain linalool and linalyl acetate, but at low concentrations [1]. A dog who grabs a stem in the yard or a cat who chews a dried bundle usually ingests a small amount. Expect mild stomach upset at most, and many pets show nothing.

Lavender essential oil

This is where the risk climbs. Essential oil is distilled and concentrated, so a single drop can carry far more linalool than a mouthful of plant material. The European Food Safety Authority reviewed lavender oil as a feed additive and set a safe level of 30 mg/kg in complete feed for dogs and 7 mg/kg for cats [2]. Those numbers come from a regulatory safety review, not a treatment guideline, but they show the species gap clearly. Cats tolerate much less.

Oils also cause problems beyond swallowing. Skin contact can irritate, and oils licked off the coat get swallowed. Cats are especially prone to this because they groom constantly. If you want a broader look at how oils behave in pets, see Are Essential Oils Safe for Cats and Dogs?.

Diffusers, candles, and sprays

An ultrasonic diffuser releases oil into the air. In a small, closed room, that can bother a pet's eyes and airways, and oil settles on fur and surfaces where it gets ingested during grooming. Scented candles and room sprays are usually lower risk because the oil is diluted or burned, but a pet who knocks over and drinks a bottle of oil is a genuine emergency.

Treats, tinctures, and "calming" products

Lavender shows up in pet calming chews, sprays, and tinctures. A tincture made from lavender flowers was reviewed as a feed additive and judged very unlikely to cause adverse effects in long-living and reproductive animals at the tested feed concentrations [3]. That is not the same as saying every lavender product on the shelf is safe for your pet. Dose, alcohol content, and other ingredients matter, and a product made for people can contain far more than a pet should get.

What Linalool and Linalyl Acetate Do in the Body

Linalool and linalyl acetate are the toxic principles identified in lavender [1]. These are volatile compounds, meaning they evaporate and carry scent. When a pet swallows them, they contact the stomach and intestinal lining, which is why nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss are the expected signs [1].

When a pet inhales or absorbs them through skin, the compounds enter the bloodstream and can affect the nervous system. That is when you may see wobbliness, drooling, or sleepiness instead of vomiting. Cats are less efficient at clearing many of these compounds through the liver, which is one reason their safe intake is lower than a dog's.

The dose is everything. A few crumbs of dried flower and a teaspoon of undiluted oil are not the same exposure, even though both come from the same plant.

Signs of Lavender Poisoning and When They Appear

The classic signs tied to lavender are nausea, vomiting, and not wanting to eat [1]. Depending on the form and amount, you may also see:

Drooling or lip smacking
Stomach gurgling or belly discomfort
Lethargy or unusual sleepiness
Unsteady walking
Irritated skin or redness where oil touched the coat
Eye redness or squinting after diffuser exposure

Timeline matters. Vomiting from plant material often starts within an hour or two of eating. Signs from oil exposure can appear faster if a pet licks oil off their fur, or more slowly if the oil was absorbed through skin. If your pet swallowed a large amount of oil, do not wait for signs to develop before calling for help.

What to Do Right Now

Move your pet away from the source. Close the diffuser, cap the bottle, or take your pet out of the garden.
Check the mouth and coat. If oil is on the fur, wipe it off with a damp cloth and mild dish soap so your pet cannot lick more. Do not scrub broken skin.
Call for guidance. Reach your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Have the product label, the amount you think was eaten, and your pet's weight ready.
Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a pet vomit after oil exposure can push oil into the airway and cause aspiration pneumonia. This is a real risk with oily or volatile products.
Do not give milk, oil, activated charcoal, or home remedies. None of these help, and some make things worse.
Save the packaging. The exact product, concentration, and ingredients guide treatment.

If your pet is having trouble breathing, collapsing, or having repeated seizures, skip the phone call and go straight to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

How Veterinarians Treat Lavender Exposure

Treatment depends on how much was eaten, what form it was, and how your pet looks. For a small plant ingestion with one episode of vomiting, your veterinarian may simply advise monitoring at home with bland food and water.

For oil exposure, expect a more active approach. Your veterinarian may give medications to settle the stomach and stop vomiting, start intravenous fluids if your pet is dehydrated, and use a charcoal-based product in some cases when it is safe and appropriate. If oil is on the skin, a proper decontamination bath with a degreasing soap is often part of the plan.

There is no single antidote for lavender. Care is supportive, meaning your veterinary team manages each sign as it appears and watches for complications. Blood work may be recommended to check hydration and organ values, especially if your pet was already ill or is on medication.

Never give a dose of any medication at home based on something you read. Your veterinarian calculates doses from your pet's weight, species, and health status.

Outlook for Pets Exposed to Lavender

Most pets who nibble a lavender plant recover fully with minimal care. The expected signs are stomach upset and appetite loss, and those typically settle within a day or two [1].

Oil exposures carry a wider range. A small lick often causes drooling and mild vomiting that resolves with supportive care. A large ingestion, especially in a cat, can be more serious and may require hospitalization. The species gap in safe intake levels is real, so a spill that barely affects a Labrador can hit a cat much harder [2].

Recovery odds improve with early contact. If you are unsure whether the amount was significant, call anyway. Poison control lines exist for exactly this situation, and a short call is far better than a night in the emergency room.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

The simplest step is to keep concentrated lavender oil out of reach, ideally in a closed cabinet. Treat it the way you would treat any medication.

If you diffuse oils, do it in a room your pet can leave, keep the door open, and skip it entirely if you have a cat or a bird. Cats groom oil off their coats, so airborne oil that settles on fur becomes an oral exposure.

In the garden, lavender is generally fine to grow. Most pets ignore it. If your dog likes to graze, plant it behind a border or in a raised bed. If you want plants with no known toxicity, browse Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs or Are Orchids Toxic To Cats for ideas.

For calming needs, talk to your veterinarian instead of reaching for an oil. There are veterinary-formulated options with known dosing for your pet's species and weight. And if you are auditing your home, Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs is a good starting checklist.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article covers the general picture. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your pet, ask what was eaten, and decide on treatment.

Call the same day if your pet ate lavender plant material and has vomited more than once, has stopped eating, or seems dull. Call right away if your pet got into lavender essential oil, chewed a diffuser, or spilled a bottle.

Go to an emergency clinic now if you see:

Trouble breathing or noisy breathing
Collapse or inability to stand
Repeated vomiting that will not stop
Seizures or tremors
Severe drooling with gagging
Oil on the coat plus wobbliness or lethargy, especially in a cat

Bring the product container with you. Emergency teams can move much faster when they know exactly what your pet was exposed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lavender toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes, the ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to both dogs and cats, with linalool and linalyl acetate as the toxic principles [1]. In practice, the plant usually causes only mild stomach upset, while concentrated oil is the form that causes real problems.

Is lavender harmful to dogs and cats if they just sniff it?

Sniffing a lavender plant is not a concern. Breathing diffused oil in a closed room can irritate the eyes and airways, and oil that settles on the coat gets swallowed during grooming, so ventilation matters more than the sniff itself.

Can I use lavender oil on my dog or cat for calming?

No, do not apply essential oil to your pet without veterinary guidance. Cats in particular are sensitive to these compounds, and safe intake levels for lavender oil are much lower for cats than for dogs [2]. Ask your veterinarian about pet-specific calming options instead.

What should I do if my dog ate a lavender plant?

Wipe out the mouth, offer water, and watch for vomiting or appetite loss. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line if signs appear or if your dog ate a large amount, and never induce vomiting on your own.

Are lavender candles and diffusers safe around pets?

Candles are usually low risk if your pet cannot knock them over or chew them. Diffusers are riskier in small, closed spaces because the oil coats surfaces and fur, so use them only in well-ventilated rooms your pet can leave.

References

Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Lavender. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2024.
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2025.