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Pet safety

Is Cotton Lavender toxic to dogs?

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cotton lavender as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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 dog ate cotton lavender

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog'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 dog 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 dogs? — FAQ

Is cotton lavender toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cotton lavender as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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 dog 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 dog has had access to cotton lavender.

What should I do if my dog ate cotton lavender?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to cotton lavender?

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

Full cotton lavender pet-safety