Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Lavender - what should I do?
Lavandula angustifolia
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, and potential drooling.
Escalation note
Symptoms are generally related to stomach irritation. If your dog shows signs of distress or persistent vomiting, consult a veterinarian immediately.
First aid at home
Take the plant away and rinse out the mouth with water. If essential oil contacted the skin or coat, bathe the affected area with a mild dish soap to limit absorption. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a veterinarian or poison control.
What to watch for
Most common signs after chewing the plant: nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Concentrated lavender essential oil ingestion or skin contact can additionally cause drooling, lethargy, ataxia, and tremors.
Time window
Mild GI signs from plant ingestion typically begin within a few hours and clear within 24–48 hours. Essential-oil exposures can take 3–7 days to fully resolve.
When to call the vet
Call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your dog ate a large amount of the plant, swallowed any lavender essential oil, or shows persistent vomiting, weakness, or wobbliness.
What this means for your dog
Dogs: lavender is on ASPCA's toxic plant list, with linalool and linalyl acetate as the toxic principles. A curious dog that nibbles a leaf usually gets only mild stomach upset; concentrated lavender essential oil is the more dangerous exposure to plan around.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.