Lavender plants safe for cats

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 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. Lavender is also known for its medicinal and therapeutic properties, being used in herbal remedies for thousands of years. Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils, especially for diffusers and bathroom products, because the calming scent can promote relaxation. 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. Unfortunately, the lavender plant and essential oils are toxic to cats and can lead to severe symptoms.

Lavender plants safe for cats

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 contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats cannot process in their livers. This means that consuming too much lavender can lead to liver damage. But the amount that most cats would need to consume in order to damage their livers is more than what a cat would ever reasonably eat at a single time. That is, unless you are interested in natural remedies. Either way, lavender oil contains a higher concentration of linalool and linalyl acetate than the purple flowers themselves. Continuous consumption of lavender oil through natural remedies and scent diffusers can lead to your cat consuming dangerous levels of linalool and linalyl acetate. 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.

Stuff these bright purple blooms in a sachet pouch. Table of Contents Toggle. Learn about the benefits of a holistic approach to feline care.

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.

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.

Iron ingot png

Are you an indoor cat owner struggling to keep your furniture free of scratches and pet stains? In particular they are sensitive to both phenols and phenolic compounds which are both found in essential oils. Because diffusers create droplets, a cat can accidentally ingest small amounts of lavender oil from a diffuser. Lavender is mildly toxic to cats , so be cautious when using it around your BFF. A study in the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that certain scents enrich the lives of house cats. Lavender grows inches There are plenty of other plants to deter cats that I would grow before relying on Lavender. 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. Additionally, always blow the candles out before leaving your home to prevent an accidental fire. Unfortunately, specialists have not determined a toxic dose for lavender plants or oils, so cats may react differently after consuming any amount of lavender, and some cats may be more sensitive to lavender than others.

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

Lavender candles and essential oil diffusers are considered safer for use around pets because they contain more diluted essential oils. 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. He's very stubborn and has the standoffish personality of a cat. Researchers at the University of Arizona studied one of the main chemicals in lavender oil. A study in the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that certain scents enrich the lives of house cats. Explore Munchiecat's range of organic catnip toys today! Lavender is also known for its medicinal and therapeutic properties, being used in herbal remedies for thousands of years. Beyond gastrointestinal issues, lavender toxicity can cause: Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite If you noticed any of these symptoms in your cat, please take your cat to the veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Lavender plants, essential oils, candles, and other scented products may seem like a great, natural way to make your home smell nice while promoting a relaxing environment. Additionally, cats may rub up against lavender plants and groom themselves afterward, inadvertently consuming lavender.