My Cat Ate Lavender What Should I Do? | Our Fit Pets (2024)

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Reviewed By Kyoko•Updated: 05/08/21•4 min read

Health » Digestive System

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Has your cat eaten some lavender? Are you worried the lavender will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when our cats eat something they shouldn’t.

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In this article, we’ll take a look at lavender and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!

What is Lavender?

You’re probably very familiar with lavender! Lavender is a flowering plant that’s in the mint family. It has a very specific sweet scent, which has become extremely popular in recent years. This plant is native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India. Back in ancient times, lavender was prized as a holy herb.

Lavender is more than just a gorgeous shade of purple! The lavender we’re talking about is that extremely popular plant. Lavender is a member of the mint family and has a distinctive floral scent.

It is strongly recommended to contact a Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

Lavender has been used for thousands of years to add a sweet scent to rooms, clothing, and more. It was even once considered a holy herb. Today, lavender is used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes.

Lavender is thought to improve sleep, treat skin blemishes, may relieve some types of pain, reduce blood pressure, and much more. It’s also used to calm our nerves and minds by easing symptoms of stress.

Today, lavender is still prized as an herbal plant with medicinal properties. Lavender is said to be calming, so it’s often used in herbal sleep remedies. It’s also used to calm migraines and other types of headaches. Lavender essential oil is also used to help treat blemishes on the skin and is also thought to help with chronic or acute forms of pain.

Lavender is generally considered a safe plant; however, can it make your cat sick? Will your cat get sick if she eats lavender?

Lavender & Cats

Unfortunately, lavender is toxic to cats. It’s not the plant that’s toxic but the substances found in lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil contains linalyl and linalool. These substances can cause digestive tract issues in your cat. Symptoms can include lack of appetite, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

The bad news is that if a cat ingests lavender essential oil, he can become very sick. This is because lavender essential oil is a highly concentrated form of lavender. Lavender essential oil can cause liver damage in cats. This is because their livers don’t contain the enzymes needed to break down the substances found in lavender essential oil.

If a cat eats some lavender plant, it’s possible the kitty will develop some mild gastrointestinal symptoms. However, essential is much more dangerous for a cat.

My Cat Ate Lavender What Should I Do? | Our Fit Pets (4)

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Lavender Essential Oil Toxicity in Cats

You may notice these symptoms if your cat ingests lavender essential oil:

  • Drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Muscle tremors
  • Pawing at face/mouth
  • Redness/swelling/burns on lips, skin, gums, tongue
  • Uncoordinated gate
  • Uncoordinated walk
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of appetite

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, it’s time to immediately call the vet. This is a medical emergency.

Treatment of Lavender Essential Oil Toxicity in Cats

At the vet’s, they will perform a complete physical of your cat. This may include lab work, too. The vet will look to see if your cat is experiencing liver or kidney damage from lavender ingestion.

Treatment will be based on the cat’s symptoms. For chemical burns in her throat and stomach, the cat may not be able to eat normally until things heal. So, the vet may have to give her a feeding tube until she’s better.

The vet will also treat any vomiting and diarrhea, as well as other symptoms. They will be focused on preventing damage to the liver, as well as the kidney.

The good news is that cats who receive prompt medical care have an excellent chance of making a complete recovery!

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My Cat Ate Lavender What Should I Do? | Our Fit Pets (6)

Kyoko

Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!

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FAQs

My Cat Ate Lavender What Should I Do? | Our Fit Pets? ›

If your cat eats lavender, it's a medical emergency, and your cat should be taken to the nearest emergency vet for treatment. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Signs of lavender and other essential oil toxicity in cats include: Loss of appetite.

What to do if a cat eats lavender? ›

I would monitor. We know that Lavender essential oil usually causes nausea, vomiting, not wanting to eat or drink, drooling, etc. If symptoms start, I'd see an ER vet this weekend (or your vet, if open).

Is lavender poisonous to cats in ASPCA? ›

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) points out that the lavender plant contains compounds that are toxic to cats. These include linalyl acetate and linalool, which, interestingly, are quite common among flowers.

How much lavender oil is toxic to cats? ›

There is no established toxicity dose for lavender oil on cats, but any exposure to the oil should be monitored. Always go to your vet immediately if your cat accidentally ingests lavender oil.

Why do cats love lavender? ›

Lavender. Many cats are attracted to the sweet, soothing smell of lavender. Much like their human counterparts, the scent of lavender can induce feelings of relaxation. Some might even show their approval by rubbing against plants or sitting nearby them.

How toxic is lavender to dogs and cats? ›

Lavender contains linalool, a compound toxic to pets, including dogs. However, while linalool is toxic to dogs in large amounts, toxicity in dogs is rarer than it is in cats. That being said, dogs can become poisoned by eating a large amount of lavender from the plant or essential oils.

What happens if my cat licks essential oil? ›

Ingestion of essential oils, or dermal exposure to essential oils, may be an emergency. Contact your veterinarian immediately and provide as much information as you can about the product. Do not induce vomiting as there is a risk of aspiration and damage to the lungs.

Which lavender is safe for cats? ›

Key takeaway. Lavender is toxic to cats, so they should not consume it in any form, including essential oils or the plant itself. Signs of lavender toxicity in cats include diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness.

What is a lavender cat? ›

Written by Elizabeth Italia, UW-AAB. Lilac or lavender cats are not purple as their name indicates, but it is a very light color, almost dusty. This color is extremely rare from a genetics stand point, even in pedigree cats. Let's talk about what gives cats this beautiful color, along with some other fascinating facts.

Are poms safe for cats? ›

Chrysanthemum

Also known colloquially as daisy, mum, or pom, chrysanthemum is a very common flower to see around Easter time. It can be mildly poisonous to both cats and dogs, with potential symptoms including: Vomiting. Diarrhea.

What scent do cats like the most? ›

Herby scents cats like

As mentioned earlier, catnip is part of the mint family. Cats often like the scent of normal mint too, as well as basil, oregano, and rosemary.

Is cinnamon bad for cats? ›

Cinnamon contains compounds called coumarins, which can be toxic when eaten in large quantities. Consuming too much cinnamon can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your cat, as well as damage to their liver and kidneys.

Do cats try to eat lavender? ›

Lavender Plant

Brushing up against the plant should not cause any harm, but many cats like to explore the plants in their environment and will eventually nibble on them. While a few bites of lavender are unlikely to cause serious toxicity, it can still make your cat feel unwell.

What smell do cats hate to pee on? ›

1. Scatter orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, chili pepper flakes, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, or mustard oil.

What smell relaxes cats? ›

Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.

Is lavender safe to diffuse around cats? ›

Lavender is considered safe for people to use. However, unless you are a licensed aromatherapist, it's best to avoid using it around your cats! While lavender oil has no serious side effects when used in small amounts on humans, some experts say that it could be harmful to both dogs and cats.

Is my cat allergic to lavender? ›

Symptoms of Lavender Allergy in Cats

Hair loss. Skin ulceration. Red and itchy eyes. Respiratory issues.

Can I burn a lavender candle around cats? ›

Are lavender candles safe for cats? Lavender candles can be harmful to cats if they come into contact with it due to their essential oils, which can cause irritation or even toxicity if ingested or inhaled by some cats.

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