What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much lavender was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating lavender, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs are rated “Feed with care” and cats “Do not feed”. If both share the house, go by the stricter of the two when you decide what to hand over.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat lavender?
NO — do not feed. Lavender leaves and especially its essential oil contain linalool and linalyl acetate, which can cause vomiting, depression, and central nervous system depression in cats. Dogs may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest the plant, but it is best limited.
What if my cat already ate lavender?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of lavender eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If lavender was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of lavender for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of lavender for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have lavender?
lavender is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than lavender for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — unsweetened applesauce or yellow squash carry none of the risk that lavender does, and they work better as an everyday treat.