Can dogs eat lavender? No, never feed your dog lavender buds or essential oil. They both contain linalool, a compound that is toxic to dogs in large amounts.
Key takeaway. Lavender is toxic to dogs, especially when consumed. However, the scent can also cause respiratory symptoms in some dogs because they have a stronger sense of smell. Both the lavender plant and essential oils can be dangerous for your pet.
Although Lavandula Angustifolia does contain the noxious compound linalool, it is in low enough concentrations to consider the plant itself as non-toxic. For this reason, lavender is often listed a safe plant to grow in gardens where dogs are allowed to roam free.
Key Takeaways. Lavender contains a small amount of linalool, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Mild exposure to lavender is not generally harmful and may help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Lavender poisoning is possible and may cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and other symptoms.
Well known for its incredible calming properties for humans, lavender oil is one of the best essential oils to calm dogs. It is a natural dog anxiety treatments to use with a nervous, depressed or hyperactive pup - and is also an excellent sleep aid if your dog has insomnia.
“[Lavender oil] can be used to calm and soothe your dog by gently rubbing it into your dog's ear, fur and skin while giving your dog a pleasant massage,” Cornelius said. “Lavender oil also has antibacterial and anti-itch agents. This is great if your dog has a skin irritation.”
However, the plant has such small concentrations of linalool that toxicity is not a common issue. The problem happens when dogs ingest an enormous amount of lavender. Large quantities of linalool in a dog's system can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, sedation, seizures, and more serious conditions.
If your dog eats lavender oil, they may experience severe gastrointestinal discomfort and irritation. You may notice symptoms of essential oil poisoning like vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gas. Some dogs may even have difficulty breathing.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
What candle scents are dog-friendly? Scents such as Vanilla, Lavender, and Citronella are some of the candle scents that are dog-friendly.
Signs of Lavender Essential Oil Toxicity in Dogs and Cats
Some symptoms of lavender toxicity in cats and dogs can include: Excessive Drooling. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Lethargy.
Fresh rosemary is a popular culinary herb that is safe for dogs to consume in small quantities. Adding rosemary to your dog's diet can help support their digestive tract.
Calming Effect
The smell, as well as the aromatherapy of lavender, helps to provide a calming effect. This is important if your pet is anxious and nervous all the time. The ability of this organic substance to cool and soothe the body helps to ensure that your pet functions at an optimal level minus the stress.
For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach.
Citronella is toxic to pets
Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.
Inhaling lavender oil a few times each day is unlikely to cause any adverse effects, but in rare cases, this can cause sensitivity to the nostrils. If any sensitivity occurs, stop using it immediately. People with asthma should avoid inhaling essential oils as they could trigger asthma attacks.
Applying a few drops of Lavender essential oil to handkerchief and inhaling it is useful for treating insomnia, fatigue, stress, and fear.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers.
Yes, dogs can smell essential oils. However, not all essential oils are safe for your dog. Lavender is perhaps the most popular (and one of the safest) because of its calming properties. Peppermint oil is another good one that can stimulate circulation and deter pesky insects.
Inhaling diffused oils can be harmful for your pet and could result in aspiration pneumonia. While you might be able to use a diffuser in a room that's off-limits to your pet, if your furry friend already has a breathing problem, then having one in the house is not a safe option.
Anxiety Relief
Lavender is most known for its calming properties… not just for humans, but for dogs as well. Sometimes our groomers will rub some lavender oil on their hands when handling a dog that is particularly nervous about being groomed. Breathing the lavender helps to reduce their anxiety and stress.
Lavender and Chamomile:
Dogs who are exposed to these scents spend less time moving around and tend to behave in a relaxed manner. This results in lower levels of barking and is most beneficial when used in your home. It has also been shown to reduce stress levels.
According to the study, dogs exposed to lavender and chamomile spent more time resting and less time moving than with other olfactory stimuli used in the experiment. These odorants were also found to reduce barking and vocalization in caged animals.