Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe for Pets?
Wondering, ‘Is lavender safe for pets?’ Lavender essential oil has become a popular natural remedy for both dogs and cats, offering benefits like calming anxiety, reducing inflammation, and supporting skin health. While it’s generally safe when used correctly, understanding how to choose high-quality oils and administer them properly is essential to avoid risks. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of lavender essential oil for pets, safety tips, and how to incorporate it into your pet’s wellness routine
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What is Lavender Essential Oil?
Lavender essential oil is a highly concentrated extract, derived from lavender plants. Lavender has been used for its properties as an analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and antitumoral. Lavender essential oil is a staple in pet wellness due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular choice for addressing anxiety, itchy skin, and minor wounds in pets.
Lavender oil is commonly used in fragrances, aromatherapy, and skin care formulas. The Egyptians and Romans used lavender for bathing, relaxing, cooking, and as a scent in ancient times. People have recently begun to utilize it for a broader range of reasons, including relaxation and calming anxiety. Its tranquil and relaxing fragrance provides a calm environment ideal for sleep, and when taken internally, it can help to relieve tension.
It’s been studied extensively in animals and it is safe to use on all species. Lavender essential oil can be applied topically, given internally, or diffused.
Is Lavender Oil Safe for Dogs?
Yes, lavender essential oil is safe for dogs when used correctly. This versatile oil offers calming, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties, making it a popular choice for pet parents seeking natural remedies. However, as with any essential oil, there are important safety guidelines to follow:
- Use only therapeutic-grade, GCMS-tested lavender oil to ensure purity.
- Always dilute the oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, before applying it topically or diffusing.
- Start with small amounts to gauge your dog’s response.
When used properly, lavender can safely be inhaled, applied topically, or ingested in small, diluted doses, helping dogs feel calmer and more comfortable.
Debunking Myths: Is Lavender Toxic to Dogs?
When it comes to our dogs, there is a lot of debate and disinformation online regarding the risks of essential oils. While certain essential oils are potentially hazardous to small animals, the vast majority of reports of adverse reactions are due to synthetic or adulterated oils.
Unfortunately, many products being marketed to consumers as lavender essential oil are, in truth, not actual lavender at all. This popular scent is one of the most adulterated and synthetically altered essential oils on the market.
Some sly manufacturers even incorporate the word pure or organic into the actual product name in the hopes that consumers will believe that these are actual claims as to the product’s purity. Because the industry is currently unregulated, this is a purchase where it really pays off to do your research and make an educated choice.
Sourcing Safe Lavender Essential Oil for Dogs & Pets
Use only therapeutic or medical-grade essential oils if you’re looking for lavender essential oil for dogs. This suggests that you should avoid buying oils from Amazon, your local supermarket, or any other business that doesn’t offer test results. For essential oils, a respectable provider will have a certificate of analysis, particularly a GCMS test.
Most essential oils are safe for dogs, including Lavender essential oil, as long as you’re using only therapeutic or medical grade essential oils with a GCMS test, are properly diluting the oil, and are following the recommended therapeutic applications.
With those precautions in place, dogs can safely inhale and ingest lavender, however, you should make sure to start them on low doses to gauge their reaction. Remember that any time you start your pet on a new health regimen, you should monitor them closely for changes and contact your veterinarian if you notice adverse reactions.
Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe for Cats?
Yes, lavender essential oil is safe for cats when used correctly and in appropriate amounts. Despite the widespread misconceptions about essential oils being toxic to cats, many high-quality oils, including lavender, can be both safe and beneficial. The key to safely using lavender essential oil with cats lies in choosing therapeutic-grade essential oils that have undergone GCMS testing, diluting them appropriately, and following recommended guidelines.
Debunking Myths: Is Lavender Toxic to Cats?
Misunderstandings about the safety of essential oils for cats often stem from outdated studies or misinformation shared online. According to Dr. Melissa Shelton, DVM, an internationally recognized holistic veterinarian specializing in medical-grade essential oils, much of the concern surrounding cats and essential oils originates from outdated research. One frequently cited study, published in the 1970s, examined the effects of synthetic compounds like benzyl alcohol, not natural essential oils. Dr. Shelton emphasizes that these studies fail to compare “apples to apples” and do not reflect the safety or benefits of natural, high-quality essential oils like lavender.
Expert Insights from Dr. Melissa Shelton
Dr. Shelton, a leading authority on essential oils for animals, notes that even older veterinary research has highlighted how potentially toxic substances can still be used safely with cats when dosing and quality are carefully managed. She explains, “Even drugs known for toxicity in cats can be used safely if we are aware of and compensate for certain peculiarities.” This principle applies to essential oils as well—proper use and careful consideration of dosage and quality are essential for safety.
How to Safely Use Lavender Essential Oil with Cats
Lavender essential oil is well-tolerated by cats when:
- High-Quality Oils Are Used: Only therapeutic-grade oils that have been GCMS-tested should be used. Avoid synthetic or adulterated products, as these can pose risks.
- Dilution is Practiced: Lavender oil must always be diluted with a carrier oil before application. Cats are more sensitive to essential oils due to their physiology, so a conservative approach is critical.
- Small Doses Are Introduced Gradually: Start with minimal amounts to gauge your cat’s response. Whether diffused or applied topically, monitor your cat for any signs of discomfort or adverse reactions.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil for Cats
Lavender oil can provide a range of benefits for cats, including:
- Reducing stress and anxiety, especially during events like vet visits, travel, or thunderstorms.
- Promoting restful sleep and relaxation through aromatherapy.
- Supporting skin health by soothing minor irritations and reducing inflammation when applied topically (in diluted form).
Always consult your holistic veterinarian before introducing lavender essential oil into your cat’s wellness routine, particularly if your cat has existing health conditions or is on medication.
Sourcing Lavender Essential Oil for Cats
Dr. Shelton emphasizes that the safety of essential oils for cats depends heavily on the quality of the oil being used. Synthetic or adulterated oils are not safe for pets and should not be used. By opting for high-quality, natural essential oils like those recommended by holistic veterinarians, you can ensure your cat enjoys the calming and therapeutic benefits of lavender without risk.
Risks of Essential Oils for Dogs and Cats
One thing to remember about essential oils is that they are incredibly potent. An essential oil has a potency of 50-70 times that of a plant. This indicates that it has the potential to be harmful, particularly to small animals.
If essential oils are to be diffused or used topically, they must be adequately diluted. Because pets have millions more olfactory receptors than people, they are more sensitive to strong odors, therefore adequate dilution is critical. Also, keep in mind that the smaller the pet, the more you should dilute it.
When using essential oils for your pet, the most common adverse effect is skin irritation. Most of these responses, however, subside within 24-48 hours with dilution and fresh air. In any event, extreme caution should be exercised while using essential oils around animals who are young, pregnant, nursing, or on certain medications.
Signs of Lavender Essential Oil Toxicity in Dogs and Cats
Always start with very small doses of diluted lavender oil and gradually increase to avoid any adverse responses in your pet. Keep a close eye on your pet’s reactions and in the case of an adverse reaction, make sure to move your pet away from any diffusers, bathe your pet if the oil was applied topically, and take your pet to the vet if they show any indications of a negative reaction to the lavender oil.
Some symptoms of lavender toxicity in cats and dogs can include:
- Excessive Drooling
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Refusing to Eat
- Neurological symptoms, such as staggering or shaking
- Decreased respiratory rate, asthma, or aspiration pneumonia
- Changes to heart rate
- Liver failure
Lavender Essential Oil Benefits
When you think of lavender, you probably picture the beautiful purple plant, Lavandula angustifolia. The lavender plant can be incredibly beneficial to your garden. In fact, lavender plants have been proven to safely ward off pesky mosquitos while not damaging the environment for bee populations and other helpful pollinators in your area.
Like the plant itself, the lavender essential oil has so many benefits for dogs, cats, and even horses as well.
Lavender oil is commonly used to relieve itching, irritation, and inflammation in dogs. Lavender essential oil is also indicated for skin conditions, fungal infections, muscular issues, high blood pressure, cardiac issues, insomnia, and of course, for its calming effects.
Lavender can also:
- Reduce inflammation in both joints and wounds
- Provide relief for itchy or irritated skin
- Be used as a wound wash to take the sting out of bites and burns
- Create a feeling of calm when ingested orally OR when used in aromatherapy
- Ward off fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other pesky bugs
- Fight germs and promote healing
- Help other plant oils to be more effective
CALM: CBD Oil for Cats and Dogs with Lavender
CBD Dog Health’s CALM for Cats and CALM for Dogs are specially crafted to help manage stress, anxiety, and fear in pets using a powerful blend of natural ingredients, including lavender essential oil and full-spectrum hemp extract. Lavender enhances the calming effects of CBD, making these formulas ideal for pets during thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, or other anxiety-inducing events.
In addition to lavender, the full-spectrum hemp extract in CALM provides a holistic approach to relaxation, addressing not just emotional distress but also physical discomfort. Whether you’re looking to soothe your cat’s nerves or help your dog relax in stressful situations, CALM offers a safe and effective way to offer your pets the calming benefits of CBD and lavender for pets.
How To Give Your Pet Lavender Oil
As when using essential oils on people, you should always dilute the oils before using them. Dr. Janet Roark, known as the Essential Oil Vet, recommends using a water-based diffuser on an intermittent setting and using only 3-4 drops in your diffuser. Additionally, make sure the door to the room with the diffuser remains open at all times so that pets may easily leave if they are uncomfortable.
Some other ways to start using Lavender Essential Oil for pets:
- CBD Dog Health’s CALM: CBD oil for dogs, cats and horses
- Start with just a few drops of lavender EO added to your pet’s water or food per day
- Add lavender to your diffuser to calm everyone in the house
- Massage a drop of lavender into your pet’s fur
- Brew your dog a lavender tea with fresh lavender leaves in order to achieve a calming effect.
- To combat fleas, make your own safe repellent by adding five drops each of citronella oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil to one cup of water. Shake it up and put it in a spray bottle.
Related: Pet Safe Essential Oils with Dr. Janet Roark
Consider Your Pet’s Overall Environment
It’s important to also think about how your pet interacts with their environment; because our pets are constantly close to the ground, they actually inhale and ingest items from our flooring, so avoid using the following household products:
- Synthetic air fresheners, plug-ins, and scented candles
- Floor and carpet cleaners that contain harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances
- Laundry detergent with artificial fragrances and chemicals
- Scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets
They spend most of their lives lying on our floors, rugs, beds, blankets, pillows, and furniture, so consider how these items are washed, laundered, and treated. Part of safely using essential oils for your pet is to also eliminate other toxins that your pet may be exposed to.
Related: Essential Oils for Dogs 101