Is Lavender safe for dogs?

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.