Is Lavender safe for cats and dogs?
| Species | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cats | Toxic |
| Dogs | Toxic |
Severity: Mild
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is classified as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA. The toxic principles are linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds concentrated in the plant's essential oil. Pets that chew the leaves or flowers, or that are exposed to concentrated lavender oil, may show nausea, vomiting, and reduced appetite; the ASPCA notes that vomiting does not occur in horses exposed to the plant. In most cases, exposure to garden lavender causes mild, short-lived stomach upset rather than severe illness, but ingestion of concentrated essential oil is more concerning than nibbling a few flowers.
Lavender also has a distinct home in American growing culture. Sequim, Washington, a small town on the Olympic Peninsula, has come to call itself the "Lavender Capital of North America." Washington State University, whose Clallam County Extension has long supported the local industry, describes "Sequim's mild, dry climate" as ideal for the crop, and notes that Extension director Curtis Beus "played an active role in starting the lavender industry around Sequim" and authored the widely used guide Growing and Marketing Lavender. The town's lavender farms draw visitors each summer, and pet owners touring fields or bringing home dried lavender bundles should keep cats and dogs from chewing on the blooms or sachets.
Because lavender is classified as toxic rather than non-toxic, pet owners should keep fresh lavender, dried lavender sachets, and especially concentrated lavender essential oil out of reach of cats and dogs, even though most exposures result in mild, short-lived stomach upset rather than serious illness.
Facts and examples
- Sequim, Washington calls itself the "Lavender Capital of North America." Washington State University describes "Sequim's mild, dry climate" as ideal for the crop, and notes that Curtis Beus, director of WSU's Clallam County Extension, "played an active role in starting the lavender industry around Sequim" and authored the guide Growing and Marketing Lavender. (source, verified 2026-07-31)
Verdict re-verified against aspca.org, 2026-07-31 — confirmed unchanged. Source
This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is showing symptoms, or you think they ate or touched something dangerous, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control hotline immediately.
Last verified 2026-07-31