The Truth About Lavender & Cats
It’s no secret that certain products that bring joy to our lives aren’t safe for our furry friends. For example, it’s a well-known fact that chocolate is toxic to dogs, and it’s just as poisonous to cats. In fact, there’s a long list of foods that cats and dogs should avoid — including festive favorites like candy and alcohol and everyday ingredients like garlic, onions, salt and yeast.You’ll need to look beyond the pantry when you’re looking to keep potentially toxic substances out of the wrong paws. You should be aware of a variety of other items in and outside the house, such as plants. Whether you have a houseplant collection, enjoy fresh bouquets of flowers or have an outdoor garden that your cat likes to roam through, it’s essential to be aware of what types of plants you have and whether they are safe for your pet. Common plants like azaleas, tulips and daffodils are all toxic to cats.While some items like artificial sweeteners, coffee and lilies are definite no-nos when it comes to protecting your pets, others are not as straightforward. Lavender is one substance that falls into this category. To find out the answer to the question, ‘Is lavender dangerous for cats?’, read on to find out everything you need to know about lavender and cats.
Plants
Is lavender dangerous for cats? Lavender comes in many forms, so the answer is complicated. The specific compounds that pose a threat to felines in lavender are linalyl acetate and linalool. Different formulations of lavender contain varying levels of these dangerous compounds.When it comes to the actual plant form of lavender and cats, lavender is toxic. If your cat nibbles on the plant and ingests some of its flowers or leaves, nausea, vomiting and other GI upset can occur.Even if Mrs. Whiskers only licks the plant, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms. With lavender and cats, it’s best to keep lavender plants out of your garden and lavender flowers or sprigs out of your house to keep your furry friend safe.
Essential Oils
Lavender isn’t just available as a plant — many companies make products infused with its oils and scent. So, is lavender dangerous for cats when it comes in the form of essential oils? The answer is a resounding yes. Lavender is even more toxic to cats as an essential oil, and can actually be fatal.Essential oils contain very concentrated forms of the compounds that cause toxicity in lavender and cats, making them highly dangerous to your pet. When essential oils are diffused in the house, they can quickly land on your cat’s skin or fur, which can be directly absorbed by the skin and taken orally during grooming. You have to worry about not just burning or diffusing the lavender essential oils directly. If you use personal care products like lotions that contain lavender essential oils and then pet your cat, the toxic substances can land on your cat that way too and cause problems.Exposure to essential oils in lavender and cats can lead to lavender poisoning and requires immediate medical attention. Lavender poisoning causes serious symptoms in cats that can be life-threatening, including dizziness, decreased heart rate, breathing difficulties and liver damage. The best way to protect your cat from the dangerous effects of lavender essential oils is to keep them out of your home in the first place.
Lavender Kitty Litter
At this point, the question, “Is lavender dangerous for cats?” seems like a definite yes, at least in the case of lavender plants and essential oils. However, if you love the smell of lavender and still want it to be a part of your feline-friendly home, there is one way you and your cat can safely enjoy it: in lavender kitty litter. Cat litter companies that offer lavender formulations make sure to use a low enough level of lavender in their litter so that you get all of the benefits of its lovely scent without any of the health risks to your cat. When you love both lavender and cats, you shouldn’t have to compromise.If you’ve been searching for a way to enjoy lavender and cats safely, look no further than lavender kitty litter from Skoon. Skoon’s lavender kitty litter is certified non-toxic, low dust, and hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about it causing any health issues in your cat. Our lavender kitty litter isn’t just safe — it’s also functional. Skoon comes with a 100% odor-free guarantee, so you won’t have to worry about smelling anything other than the light, pleasing scent of lavender.Thanks to lavender kitty litter, you can safely enjoy both lavender and cats in your home.
Try lavender kitty litter from Skoon today!
Sources:
https://excitedcats.com/is-lavender-toxic-to-cats/
https://www.germantownah.com/site/blog-memphis-vet/2020/03/09/house-garden-plants-toxic-to-cats
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/foods-can-be-poisonous-pets
