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Pet safety

Is Lavender toxic to cats?

Lavandula angustifolia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists 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. ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to linalool and linalyl acetate. Garden nibbles are low risk; concentrated essential oils and large ingestions cause vomiting and GI upset.

What to do if your cat ate lavender

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move 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 lavender to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is lavender toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lavender toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists 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. ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to linalool and linalyl acetate. Garden nibbles are low risk; concentrated essential oils and large ingestions cause vomiting and GI upset.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lavender?

ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to linalool and linalyl acetate. Garden nibbles are low risk; concentrated essential oils and large ingestions cause vomiting and GI upset. 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 lavender.

What should I do if my cat ate 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 lavender toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to 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 lavender pet-safety