Is Lavender Toxic to Cats?

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats process poorly. Eating the plant usually causes nausea, vomiting and a reduced appetite rather than anything dramatic — but the essential oil is a different order of risk.

Concentrated oils are the modern exposure route: diffusers, pillow sprays, massage oils and 'calming' pet products. Cats cannot metabolise many plant oils, and a diffuser in a small room exposes them continuously.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• flowers
• essential oil

What to watch for in the UK

• Garden borders and front paths — brushing past is not an emergency, chewing is.
• Essential oil diffusers are the bigger risk than the plant.
• Do not use lavender oil on a cat or in its bedding.
• Sachets and dried lavender in wardrobes are not accessible to cats — but pillow sprays are.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. A nibble of the plant: watch for vomiting.
2. Any essential oil exposure: phone your vet, and take the bottle.
3. Wash oil off the coat with a damp cloth if you can, then call the vet.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).