Is Lavender Oil Safe for Dogs and Cats? What Pet Owners Should Know

Lavender essential oil is not considered safe to give to, or put directly on, dogs or cats, and cats are especially sensitive. The ASPCA lists lavender as toxic to both dogs and cats because it contains linalool and linalyl acetate, and concentrated essential oils are far stronger than the plant itself. Many households still use lavender for themselves, but it should be kept out of pets' reach, never applied to pets without a veterinarian's guidance, and diffused only briefly in a well-ventilated room your pet can leave.

Key takeaways

• Lavender is on the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to dogs and cats; essential oil is a highly concentrated form.
• Cats are more vulnerable than dogs because their livers process certain compounds in essential oils poorly.
• Never apply lavender oil to a pet, add it to their food or water, or let them lick it off your skin.
• If you diffuse, keep sessions short, the room ventilated, and a door open so pets can walk away.
• Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect exposure.

Why is lavender oil a concern for pets?

Lavender's pleasant scent comes from aromatic compounds, chiefly linalool and linalyl acetate. In the small amounts found in a garden plant, these are generally a minor concern; nibbling lavender most often causes mild stomach upset. An essential oil, however, concentrates those compounds many times over. A single drop can contain far more than a pet would ever get from the plant.

Pets can be exposed three ways:

• Ingestion: licking a spill, a bottle, or oil on your skin, or eating something it was added to.
• Skin contact: oil applied to fur or skin is absorbed and then licked off during grooming.
• Inhalation: breathing in concentrated vapor or droplets, especially from active diffusers in a closed room.

Is lavender oil safe for dogs?

Dogs are somewhat less sensitive than cats, and some veterinary sources (such as PetMD) note that lavender may be tolerated by some dogs when used with care around them. But "tolerated around" is not the same as "safe to use on." Puppies, senior dogs, small breeds, and dogs with liver disease or breathing problems are at higher risk. Because a dog's sense of smell is vastly more sensitive than ours, a scent that seems subtle to you can be overwhelming to them.

Our advice: don't use lavender oil on your dog or in their bedding, and don't try to calm an anxious dog with essential oils unless your veterinarian recommends a specific pet-formulated product and method.

Is lavender oil safe for cats?

Cats need the most caution. Veterinary toxicology sources, including the Pet Poison Helpline, explain that cats lack some of the liver enzymes (involved in a process called glucuronidation) that break down compounds found in many essential oils. That means even small exposures can build up. Cats also groom constantly, so anything that lands on their fur is likely to be swallowed. Avoid using lavender oil on or near cats, and be cautious with diffusers in homes with cats, particularly cats with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

What about diffusers?

Passive diffusers (reed sticks, a few drops on a cotton pad) release less into the air than active ones, but both can pose risks. Active ultrasonic or nebulizing diffusers release tiny droplets that can settle on a pet's fur and be licked off later. If you use a diffuser in a home with pets:

• Diffuse in short sessions (for example, 15–30 minutes) rather than all day.
• Keep the room well ventilated and leave a door open so your pet can leave.
• Place the diffuser and oil bottles where pets can't knock them over.
• Don't diffuse in a small, closed room with a pet—or at all around birds or cats with respiratory issues.
• Stop immediately if your pet coughs, sneezes repeatedly, drools, or seems uneasy.

Signs your pet may have been exposed

Watch for these signs after a spill, a lick, or heavy diffusing:

• Drooling, pawing at the mouth, or vomiting
• Diarrhea or loss of appetite
• Coughing, wheezing, or labored or fast breathing
• Lethargy, weakness, wobbliness, or trembling
• Red or irritated skin, or a strong scent on the fur or breath

If you notice any of these, move your pet to fresh air, don't try to make them vomit, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). If oil is on the fur, your vet may advise washing with a mild dish soap—ask first.

How to enjoy lavender safely in a home with pets

You don't have to give up lavender entirely. Use it the way it's intended: topically on yourself, properly diluted, or briefly in the air with pets elsewhere.

1. Dilute before skin use. Mix a few drops into a carrier oil such as organic jojoba oil; a common guideline for adults is around 1–2% (roughly 6–12 drops per ounce of carrier). Patch test first.
2. Let it absorb before cuddles. Wait until it has soaked in, and don't let pets lick your skin where you applied it.
3. Store bottles securely. Keep caps closed and bottles in a cabinet, out of reach of pets and children.
4. Never ingest it, and never give it to pets. Lavender essential oil is for external and aromatherapy use only.
5. Clean up spills right away with soap and water, and ventilate the room.

For more ways to use it on yourself, see our guides to lavender essential oil benefits and uses and lavender oil for hair.

About our lavender oil

Our Organic Lavender Essential Oil is 100% pure and made in California, which also means it is concentrated. It's intended for diluted topical use and aromatherapy for adults, not for pets, not for children without guidance, and never for ingestion. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are unsure whether lavender is right for you, ask a healthcare professional.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Always ask your veterinarian before using any essential oil around your pets.

FAQ

Can I diffuse lavender oil around my dog?

Some dogs may tolerate brief, light diffusing in a well-ventilated room they can leave. Keep sessions short, keep the diffuser out of reach, and stop if your dog coughs, drools, or seems uncomfortable. Ask your vet if your dog is young, old, small, or has health issues.

Is lavender oil toxic to cats?

Yes, lavender is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA, and cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs because they metabolize some of their compounds poorly. Avoid using it on or near cats.

Can I put lavender oil on my dog to calm them?

We don't recommend it. Applying essential oil to a pet can irritate skin and leads to ingestion through licking. Talk to your veterinarian about safe, pet-specific options for anxiety.

What should I do if my pet licks lavender oil?

Don't induce vomiting. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away and have the product bottle handy.

Is the lavender plant safe for pets?

The plant is far less concentrated than the oil, and nibbling usually causes, at most, mild stomach upset. However, the ASPCA still lists lavender as toxic to dogs and cats, so discourage pets from eating it.

Is it safe to wear lavender oil around my pets?

Generally, diluted lavender that has absorbed into your skin is low risk, but don't let pets lick the area and avoid strong, freshly applied scents when holding cats.