Lavender Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,449 found this helpful

No confirmed animal poisoning events linked to narrow-leaved lavender are recorded in available scientific literature

Despite low inherent toxicity risk, this plant is not approved for use as feed for pets or livestock

It can be confused with mildly toxic meadow sage, so accurate identification is recommended for foraging settings

FAQ

Is Lavender toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild gastrointestinal upset or mild skin irritation may occur with very large ingestion or contact with concentrated essential oil (Non-toxic)

Is Lavender toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur if large quantities of plant material or concentrated oil are ingested (Non-toxic)

Is Lavender toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur if large quantities of plant material or concentrated oil are ingested (Non-toxic)

Is Lavender toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild digestive upset may occur if large quantities of plant material are consumed (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild gastrointestinal upset or mild skin irritation may occur with very large ingestion or contact with concentrated essential oil

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur if large quantities of plant material or concentrated oil are ingested

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur if large quantities of plant material or concentrated oil are ingested

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms are documented; mild digestive upset may occur if large quantities of plant material are consumed

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic plant parts are confirmed via published poisoning reports; the entire plant is not considered suitable for animal feed

Exposure RouteIngestion of raw plant material, skin or mucosal exposure to concentrated lavender essential oil

Toxic CompoundsLinalool; Linalyl acetate; Limonene

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water if large quantities of plant material are ingested
• Wash affected skin with mild soap and cool water if concentrated essential oil contact causes irritation
• Monitor for signs of gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite) for 24 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 2 hours after ingestion
• Signs of allergic reaction (swelling, hives, difficulty breathing) following exposure
• Ingestion of concentrated lavender essential oil by pets or livestock

Prevention

• Never feed raw lavender plant material or unprocessed lavender products to pets or livestock
• Store concentrated lavender essential oils out of reach of children and animals
• Confirm plant identification before allowing animals to forage in areas where lavender and similar species grow

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care including fluid replacement for mild gastrointestinal dehydration
• Antihistamines may be administered for allergic reactions under medical or veterinary guidance
• No specific antidote exists; care is targeted to managing presenting symptoms

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameLavandula angustifolia Mill. (synonyms: Lavandula officinalis Chaix, Lavandula spica L., Lavandula vera DC.)

AliasesTrue lavender、English lavender、Garden lavender、Common lavender、Narrow-leaved lavender

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract (potential mild irritation only with extreme ingestion)

Mechanism of Action

• No specific toxic mechanism is documented for this species; rare adverse effects from large ingestion are linked to volatile oil content irritating gastrointestinal mucosa

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats): No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but large volume ingestion may cause mild rumen irritation

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Feeding lavender is not recommended, as volatile oils may trigger chronic digestive irritation

Caged birds: Concentrated lavender essential oil fumes may irritate their sensitive respiratory tracts, so use is not recommended near bird enclosures

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other lavender species Other Lavandula spp.

Visually similar in foliage and flower structure; all other documented common Lavandula species are classified as non-toxic

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

Similar narrow, aromatic evergreen foliage; rosemary is non-toxic to most domestic animals

Meadow sage Salvia pratensis

Similar purple flowering spikes and leaf shape; meadow sage is mildly toxic, so accurate identification is critical to avoid accidental ingestion

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Related Toxic Plants

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

Highly toxic, can cause liver and organ failure in humans and animals

Diviner's sage

Salvia divinorum

Moderately toxic, hallucinogenic to humans and animals

Purple perilla

Perilla frutescens

Moderately toxic, causes severe respiratory distress in grazing livestock

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.