Lavender

Yes, lavender is considered potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset, and concentrated lavender essential oil poses a higher risk than the plant itself.

After chewing lavender, cats most commonly show nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Exposure to concentrated lavender essential oil can additionally cause drooling, tremors, wobbliness (ataxia), and respiratory irritation.

Move your cat away from the plant and wipe any plant material from their mouth. If lavender essential oil got on their fur or skin, wash it off with mild dish soap to prevent further absorption. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).

GI signs from chewing the plant typically appear within a few hours and resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive care. Essential-oil exposure can cause symptoms that take 3–7 days to fully resolve, so call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your cat was exposed to oil, potpourri, or has eaten more than a leaf or two.

Lavender is potentially toxic to dogs. The plant contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Symptoms are generally mild after chewing the plant, but concentrated lavender essential oil poses a higher risk and can cause more serious effects.

After chewing lavender, a dog will most commonly show nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite due to stomach irritation. Mild GI signs typically begin within a few hours and clear within 24–48 hours. Ingestion of concentrated lavender essential oil can additionally cause drooling, lethargy, unsteady walking (ataxia), and tremors, with recovery taking up to 3–7 days.

Take the plant away and rinse your dog's mouth out with water. If lavender essential oil contacted the skin or coat, bathe the affected area with a mild dish soap to limit absorption. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian or poison control. Call a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your dog ate a large amount, swallowed any essential oil, or is showing persistent vomiting, weakness, or wobbliness.

Yes, lavender essential oil is significantly more concerning than the plant. Chewing the plant typically causes mild, short-lived GI upset that resolves within 24–48 hours. Essential-oil exposure — whether ingested or absorbed through the skin — can additionally trigger drooling, lethargy, ataxia, and tremors, and may take 3–7 days to fully resolve. Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately if your dog swallowed or had significant skin contact with lavender essential oil.