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 plant because it emits a calming, floral odor.

A massage with essential lavender oils may soothe your anxiety, beat away your blues, and improve the quality of your sleep. But is it safe to have lavender oil and lavender flowers around your cat? Lavender is mildly toxic to cats , so be cautious when using it around your BFF. We spoke with Amber LaRock, a licensed vet tech and animal welfare expert at Pet Worshiper , to find out what types of lavender are safest for your cat. Lavender is a flowering subshrub with violet-blue flowers and bluish-green to silver needles. Native to the Mediterranean region, lavender thrives in the blazing sun and dry sandy soils. Lavender grows inches

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.

Can I give my cat human lavender products? While a few bites of lavender are unlikely to cause serious toxicity, it can still make your cat feel unwell.

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.

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.

Lavender plants safe for cats

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. Fortunately, lavender exposure is unlikely to be fatal and tends to cause only mild to moderate toxicity.

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Linalool is used commercially as an external flea controller for both cats and dogs. Measure content performance. Essential oils considered safe for cats include:. She is certified as a Fear Free doctor. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Warning Many essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether ingested, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. Never try to induce vomiting at home—this is difficult to accomplish and, more importantly, it can be dangerous to your cat. More from The Spruce Pets. Here's what you need to know about lavender and cats and how to keep your cat safe around the plant. But, while you may love lavender and use it regularly in the bath, you might wonder if it can give your cat the same types of benefits. 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. Cats are more sensitive to lavender oil than humans, causing severe GI issues, nervous system depression, and liver damage when consumed. Wilson, Julia. Continuous consumption of lavender oil can also lead to mouth irritation, along with other signs of lavender toxicity.

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

View Full FAQ. Lavender-based cat products like flea sprays have much lower concentrations of lavender than those made for humans. Never try to induce vomiting at home—this is difficult to accomplish and, more importantly, it can be dangerous to your cat. There are around 40 varieties of lavender, all with similar chemical structures and toxic potential. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Explore our holistic cat wellness guide for insights on organic nutrition, natural remedies, and alternative therapies to boost your cat's health naturally. For example, exposure to these high levels through a scent diffuser can have severe effects on your cat not seen in other forms of lavender, such as asthma or other breathing problems. I use a lavender spray highly diluted with a carrier as an insect repellent on my skin. That being said, lavender has some uses in pets, including cats. While it is not typically fatal, it can cause health issues for them.