The article “Is Lavender Oil Safe For Cats? The Dangers Of Lavender For Cats” is an informative guide written by Alexander Jones and reviewed by veterinarian Dr. Sara Beth Ochoa. It summarizes the potential hazards of lavender oil for cats and compares the effects of concentrated lavender on humans and cats. While this article is mostly true, the evidence cited tends to contradict itself and focuses more on the lavender plant rather than lavender essential oils.
There’s a lack of information or credentials on Alexander Jones’ FelineLiving.net writer profile. I could not locate an educational background but found that Jones was a “cat fosterer for many years” and “read many books related to cats.” His lack of experience raises concerns over credibility but is slightly eased by Dr. Ochoa’s article oversight. Ochoa graduated from St. George University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 and has a Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Louisiana Tech University.
The article refers to information from Cornell University and ASPCA, which are reputable organizations for learning more about plant species and animal safety. These sources don’t contain an excess of information and are not specific to new research or studies focusing on the relationship between felines and lavender. Jones makes generalized claims about the anatomy of cats, stating, “[a] cat's liver is simply incapable of breaking down the chemicals in essential oils,” but fails to cite where he found that information.
While this article may not be intentionally deceitful or contain misinformation, it is under-researched and makes broad statements without sufficient evidence. For the most part, the article is moderately trustworthy, but I recommend consulting with more reliable sources before taking advice from Alexander Jones.