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The plant from the Mediterranean region is also a very popular guest in our gardens or on balconies and terraces. The intense colors and the pleasant smell not only attract butterflies and bees, but are also used in a variety of ways by humans and animals, for example as a bath additive, to ward off insects or as a flavoring and medicinal plant. In the meantime, in our latitudes, there are up to 30 other species in a wide variety of colors, from white to pink to blue-violet, in addition to true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The intense yet pleasant scent comes from the essential oils of lavender flowers.

toxicity to cats

Lavender poisonous to cats - just a myth?

Cats are naturally curious and playful, no matter how old they are. They constantly have to re-explore their surroundings and regularly need a change. Green plants are very popular with cats both indoors and outdoors. They just have fun doing it nibble. Some plants, such as cat grass, can help velvet paws spit out hairballs that have gotten into the stomach during daily grooming (a process also known as bezoars). If the cats get to the wrong plant, there can be life-threatening consequences for the four-legged friend.

Many cat owners are still unsure because the myth that lavender is poisonous to velvet paws has persisted for a long time. This rumor is further fueled by the fact that many cats run away as quickly as possible from the intense scent of lavender. For others, however, the smell is magically attractive, such as the scent of valerian or catnip.

Since now, however, all plant parts of the lavender non-toxic are, also exists for these four-legged friends no danger. On the contrary, lavender can sometimes improve the well-being of dogs and cats when used appropriately.

Some of the ingredients can quickly get into the body when touched through the skin, among other things they have a very calming effect on the psyche. But that's not the only reason lavender is valued so much, but also because of its effects:

  • antispasmodic
  • flatulent
  • cholagogue
  • promotes blood circulation when used externally

Use with aggressive cats

Since lavender is completely harmless to humans and animals, it is also popular as a tranquilizers deployed. The ornamental and medicinal plant can have a natural calming effect on cats with noticeable behavioral problems or on cats that are very nocturnal. It is used here

  • dried in lavender pillows or
  • as hydrolates, for example as a room fragrance.

The same applies to dogs. The natural sedative provides gentle relief for nervous animals, but is also used for flatulence and indigestion.

The following are preferably used:

  • Lavender pillow made from dried flowers
  • naturopathic preparations based on lavender

The latter are administered via food or water. However, before use, it is advisable to opt out of one vet to be advised in this regard.

tip: Be careful when using French lavender and spike lavender. Both contain a very high proportion of monoterpene ketones. If the dosage is too high, a neurotoxic, abortifacient, spasmodic, and generally damaging effect can quickly occur.

Be careful with fragrance lamps with lavender oil

The colorless to yellowish lavender oil with its intense, characteristic smell and slightly bitter taste is mainly obtained from the flowers of lavender (Lavandula flos). They contain a volatile mixture of substances, the so-called essential oils at a 1.5% concentration. In addition, there are also other ingredients:

  • linalool
  • linalyl acetate
  • Fighter
  • cineole
  • tannins
  • flavonoids
  • saponin
  • glycosides

Intensely scented lavender oil is very popular in fragrance lamps. However, cat owners should keep in mind that not all cats like this strong scent. But not only that, it can also be dangerous for the kitty.

lavender oil

A cat's nose is three times more powerful than a human's. Humans only have up to 20 million olfactory cells, while cats have 65 million. That makes her far more odorous and reacts a lot more sensitive to different smells. Even if the lavender is not at all harmful to cats and dogs, the intense scent of the essential oils can cause problems, especially for cats, when used in fragrance lamps.

Toxins cannot be processed in the liver of cats in the same way as in humans. With a strong inhalation of the lavender scent, velvet paws can metabolic problems in the liver and consequently to symptoms of poisoning.

This can be prevented:

  • Allow animal to leave the room at any time
  • Dose fragrance oil sparingly

tip: Be careful when using scented oil made from French lavender and spike lavender. Due to its high concentration, this must be dosed very sparingly. Better yet, cat lovers avoid this scented oil altogether.

Danger for small animals

However, lavender is not completely harmless for all animals. For small animals like

  • hamster
  • Rabbits
  • mice
  • Guinea pig

Lavender is quite poisonous. Due to the high concentration of the essential oil of the plant, mainly rabbits and guinea pigs can eat one lavender poisoning to die. If small animals come into contact with lavender, symptoms of poisoning can quickly occur. The first signs of this are:

  • Vomit
  • diarrhea
  • colic
  • cramps
  • paralysis
  • circulatory problems
  • cardiac arrhythmias
  • indigestion
  • respiratory paralysis
Rabbits in the garden

In the worst case, if the dose is too high, death is inevitable. At the first sign of poisoning you should act as soon as possible vet to be visited. However, in order to avert harm to the animals in general, every animal owner is well advised not to give the small four-legged friends any opportunity to come into contact with the lavender, which is poisonous to them.

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Vegetable garden