Pet safety
Is Cotton Lavendertoxic to cats & dogs?
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Mildly toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Santolina chamaecyparissus
Is cotton lavender safe for cats and dogs?
Not entirely — cotton lavender is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so keep it out of a pet's reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. Santolina chamaecyparissus does not appear on the ASPCA formal Toxic Plant list, but it is not confirmed non-toxic either. Its essential oil contains camphor and linalool — compounds known to be irritating or toxic to cats and dogs in concentrated form. Garden-plant ingestion is unlikely to cause serious harm, but gastrointestinal upset is possible. Classified as mildly-toxic; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant quantities.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats cotton lavender?
Santolina chamaecyparissus does not appear on the ASPCA formal Toxic Plant list, but it is not confirmed non-toxic either. Its essential oil contains camphor and linalool — compounds known to be irritating or toxic to cats and dogs in concentrated form. Garden-plant ingestion is unlikely to cause serious harm, but gastrointestinal upset is possible. Classified as mildly-toxic; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant quantities. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to cotton lavender, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate cotton lavender
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move cotton lavender out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of cotton lavender to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to cotton lavender
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Basil — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Herb garden — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Rosemary — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Thyme — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Cotton Lavender and pets — frequently asked questions
Is cotton lavender toxic to cats?
Cotton Lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Santolina chamaecyparissus does not appear on the ASPCA formal Toxic Plant list, but it is not confirmed non-toxic either. Its essential oil contains camphor and linalool — compounds known to be irritating or toxic to cats and dogs in concentrated form. Garden-plant ingestion is unlikely to cause serious harm, but gastrointestinal upset is possible. Classified as mildly-toxic; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant quantities. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is cotton lavender toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Cotton Lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like cotton lavender is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats cotton lavender?
Santolina chamaecyparissus does not appear on the ASPCA formal Toxic Plant list, but it is not confirmed non-toxic either. Its essential oil contains camphor and linalool — compounds known to be irritating or toxic to cats and dogs in concentrated form. Garden-plant ingestion is unlikely to cause serious harm, but gastrointestinal upset is possible. Classified as mildly-toxic; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant quantities. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to cotton lavender, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate cotton lavender?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of cotton lavender to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to cotton lavender?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include basil, herb garden, rosemary, thyme. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full cotton lavender care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete cotton lavender care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.