Lavender Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 1,040 found this helpful

Lavendula angustifolia

Lavender is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with no established severe human toxicity risk from typical use.

Its core toxic components are linalool and linalyl acetate, which primarily trigger gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Vomiting is not observed in horses exposed to lavender, unlike affected cats and dogs.

FAQ

Is Lavender toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxicity from standard culinary or aromatherapy use; rare mild skin irritation may occur in sensitive individuals. (Non-toxic)

Is Lavender toxic to Cats?

Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite (Low)

Is Lavender toxic to Dogs?

Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite (Low)

Is Lavender toxic to Horses?

Nausea, reduced appetite (vomiting does not occur in horses) (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity from standard culinary or aromatherapy use; rare mild skin irritation may occur in sensitive individuals.

Cats

Low

Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite

Dogs

Low

Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite

Horses

Low

Nausea, reduced appetite (vomiting does not occur in horses)

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll aerial parts (flowers, leaves, stems) and concentrated lavender essential oil extracts

Exposure RouteIngestion of plant material or concentrated essential oil, skin contact with undiluted essential oil

Toxic CompoundsLinalool; Linalyl acetate

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining lavender plant material or products from the exposed animal's reach and mouth if safe to do so.
• Wash affected skin areas with mild soap and cool water immediately if exposure is via undiluted essential oil contact.
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a licensed veterinarian.

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your cat, dog, or horse has ingested any amount of lavender plant material or concentrated lavender essential oil.
• The animal shows signs of nausea, vomiting, or reduced appetite after suspected lavender exposure.
• Skin redness, irritation, or unusual lethargy is observed after contact with lavender products.

Prevention

• Keep lavender plants, dried lavender goods, and concentrated lavender essential oils out of reach of cats, dogs, and horses.
• Avoid using undiluted lavender essential oil on pet fur/skin or around pets without veterinary approval.
• Clearly label all lavender-containing home products to prevent accidental animal ingestion.

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarians may administer activated charcoal for decontamination in cases of recent large ingestion.
• Supportive care including fluid therapy and anti-emetic medication may be provided to manage gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Liver and digestive function monitoring may be recommended for severely affected animals until full recovery.

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameLavendula angustifolia

AliasesCommon Lavender、English Lavender

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractLiver (in cases of large, repeated exposure)

Mechanism of Action

• Linalool and linalyl acetate irritate the gastrointestinal tract mucosa to trigger digestive symptoms

• Large exposure doses may cause mild central nervous system depression in sensitive animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: No specific toxicity data available; mild gastrointestinal distress is expected if large quantities are ingested

Sheep and Goats: No specific toxicity data available; low risk of mild adverse effects from casual exposure

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): May experience mild gastrointestinal upset if significant amounts of plant material are ingested

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Russian Sage Perovskia atriplicifolia

Visually similar with silvery-green foliage and purple spiked blooms; distinguished by its taller growth habit and lack of lavender's distinct crushed scent.

Catmint Nepeta cataria

Has similar soft gray-green foliage and small purple flowers; distinguished by its unique minty, cat-attracting scent and serrated leaf edges.

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Related Toxic Plants

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

Highly toxic, can cause severe liver failure and death in cats, dogs, and horses even in small doses

Perilla Mint

Perilla frutescens

Moderately toxic, causes respiratory distress and pulmonary damage in livestock and companion animals

Common Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Low to moderately toxic, triggers gastrointestinal upset and occasional lethargy in cats, dogs, and horses

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

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

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