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Is Cotton Lavender toxic to cats?

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cotton lavender as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. 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.

What to do if your cat ate cotton lavender

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move cotton lavender out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of cotton lavender to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten cotton lavender, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is cotton lavender toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cotton lavender toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cotton lavender as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. 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.

What are the symptoms if a cat 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 — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to cotton lavender.

What should I do if my cat ate cotton lavender?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is cotton lavender toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Cotton Lavender is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full cotton lavender pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to cotton lavender?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full cotton lavender pet-safety