The dangers of lavender for cats

Question

The article addresses concerning questions on whether lavender essential oil is safe for cats, along with other uses of lavender. The conclusion was that any strain would be best kept away from the cats, since if digested, the cats would not have the proper immune system to combat the concentration.

Comments

It is clear that the main claim of the article is true. After a quick search, several other sources can be found with evidence to support the validity of this claim. Although, the article does not specify the quantity at which lavender would be toxic to cats, which is important to take note of if you are concerned about the health of your cat.

Answer 1

While the claim from the original article is correct the title is semi misleading. This is because the actual flower is not the danger but the essential oil is the problem. In the FAQ section of the original article it says, "Fresh lavender is not toxic to felines, only the essential oils derived from the plants are.". This shows that while yes the essential oil needs to be kept away the actual plant is okay.

Comments

I agree that lavender essential oil is more intense than the actual plant, but it still isn't okay if the cat consumed actual lavender plants since it contains the same toxins.
in the article of "Lavender Poisoning for Cats" it says, The lavender plant itself contains linalyl acetate and linalool. These substances can cause gastrointestinal upset in your cat. Even a diluted massage oil can lead to a mildly upset stomach, so try to avoid letting your cat get into lavender plants or anything that has been made from lavender."
So just to be safe, you should just get rid of Lavender as a whole if you own a cat.

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Based on quick research, it seems like this claim is echoed by many people, that the essential oil is more of a danger to cats. To strengthen this fact check, I think you could cross check with other studies on toxins in domestic animals or link a source to where you can find this information other than the original claim. Additionally, this article is from a blog and checking other sources from medical journals or veterinarians would be useful.

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You do a good job of knocking down the title and clarifying the claim that it's not the plant thats harmful towards the cats, but the essential oil. I feel like you could have expanded on this a little bit to help us understand how this works a little more. Additionally, you could have provided the source you used at the bottom of your fact check, as that is always helpful.

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You did well to clarify the distinction between the lavender plant and its essential oil. You cited the FAQ section of the original article, which is a good start. However, it would strengthen your argument to include additional sources. For instance, Great Pet Care and Catster both confirm that lavender plants can be harmful to cats. Overall, your fact-check is informative and well-reasoned.

Answer 2

The claim of the article, that lavender is unsafe for cats, is correct. However, it is a bit misleading and exaggerated. The article makes generalizations that contradict itself, such as claiming that any amount of lavender can be dangerous to cats. However, the central evidence of this is based purely on the effect that highly concentrated ("500 to 2,000 times stronger than the original plant") lavender essential oils have on cats. As this article is primarily focused on the harmful effects of essential oils, additional info about the plant itself can be misleading and can confuse the reader that it should be avoided as much as its essential oil form.

So while lavender itself can have a harmful impact on cats, it is typically only when consumed in large quantities. If your cat has a little bite from a vase of flowers, there shouldn't be need for concern, but you should still keep it out of the way just in case. However, since lavender essential oil is a much higher concentration of lavender, it should be avoided entirely for your cat's safety. An article I found about creating lavender essential oil states, "it also requires about three pounds (1.36 kg) of fresh lavender to get just 0.5 fl oz (15 ml) of essential oil." This essential oil can harm your cat if they consume it, inhale it, or have direct skin contact with it. Lavender essential oil can cause effects from a stomach ache to significant organ damage in cats.

Sources:

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/cats-and-essential-oils

https://lovelygreens.com/how-to-make-lavender-oil/

Comments

It maybe be a little misleading/ exaggerating when it comes to the hazardness of all Lavender. In one article, I read that "Lavender essential oils can easily be absorbed through your cat’s respiratory system, where they then move into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, they move into the cat’s liver. Your cat’s skin is delicate and thin, so rubbing a “soothing” blend of lavender oil that hasn’t been diluted with a carrier oil can lead to liver problems for your cat, as well as chemical burns. Likewise, liquid potpourris contain cationic agents and essential oils. which can burn your cat’s skin and mouth." I know this is talking more about lavender oils, because it is easier to be consumed into the skin rather than the actual plant. But if a cat got into the plants of lavender, these sympotoms could also occur if they ate a big amount.

https://wagwalking.com/

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Your fact check is done well. You explained how the original claim may be misleading/exaggerating with lavender being unsafe for cats. And you proved your own claim by backing it with a source which is done well.

Answer 3

Agreed. Lavender is toxic for cats. While reading the article "Is Lavender Safe for Cats?",

It says, "While it is not deadly, lavender is toxic for cats. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats cannot process in their livers. This means that consuming too much lavender can lead to liver damage."

However, the amount cats would need to consume in order for it to actually damage their livers is a way more than they would ever consume. The worst it might get once they consume it is a bellyache.

Also, cats may have already been consuming lavender without the owner's knowledge due to oil diffusers, candles, or lavender anything in the house or room. While it is toxic for cats, there are early on symptoms to help you get to the root cause if they did consume it like vommitting, nausea, and loss of appetite.

https://enduraflap.com

Answer 4

This article, The Dangers of Lavender for Cats, from felineliving.net makes the claim that lavender is toxic to cats. This article cites ASPCA which backs up this claim on their website, “Lavender. Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses. Toxic Principles: Linlool, linalyl acetate. Clinical Signs: Nausea, vomiting (not in horses), inappetant” (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender ) However, the title of this article could be considered misleading as the central evidence for this claim is based on highly concentrated lavender essential oils which poses the real danger for cats as opposed to the plant itself. The article does go on to explain this further, stating, “While a nibble or two of a lavender plant might not hurt Kitty, a large amount might, particularly in the concentrated form of lavender oil.”However, they also include a substantial amount of additional information about the lavender plant itself which could also be misleading to the reader implying that the plant itself should be considered dangerous to cats. While the evidence provided makes the claim true, the title and following information is somewhat misleading.

Answer 5

Although lavender is toxic to cats, it is only slightly, making the article title misleading. It is exaggerated because the plant is not the most harmful to a cat; it is a lavender essential oil, which the article discusses later. Even at that, it is most dangerous if fed to your cat. The article states, "Under no circumstances should a cat be fed lavender essential oil nor should it be left where curious little tongues can lap at it." Reading the article in full will allow the audience to understand that lavender, although not the safest plant or essential oil, will only partially harm your cat.

Answer 6

According to my sources, this article/claim seems to remain true. However there is some slight misleading as to how toxic fresh lavender is to cats, compared to essential oils. It would be absurd behavior for a cat to eat enough fresh lavender to effect them to an extent more than a stomach ache. It is a unique species that any cat can have varied symptoms. Lavender oil, along with most essential oils seem to be significantly more harmful than the actual naturally found plant.

https://www.gardenia.net/guide/is-lavender-safe-for-cats

https://enduraflap.com/blogs/pet-doors/is-lavender-safe-for-cats#:~:text=Is%20Lavender%20Toxic%20For%20Cats,can%20lead%20to%20liver%20damage.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender

Comments

I agree with your factcheck because this claim is technically true, but there are some unspecific undertones. You addressed the possibilities of lavender consumption while being realistic about whether cats would eat a lavender plant on their own. I also liked how you included multiple sources to back up your factcheck!

Answer 7

This claim and article is true in the sense that the lavender essential oil is dangerous for cats, but the plant it self is not dangerous as long as not eaten by the cat. In the ASPCA article shares, "Cats lack the ability to digest two natural substances found in lavender: linalool and linalyl acetate." highlighting how ingesting the lavender is the danger for cats not if they were to just walk by the plant. It also states, "Lavender oil may be even more dangerous for cats than a lavender plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so they often contain large amounts of linalool and linalyl acetate. When diffused, lavender essential oil can end up on your cat’s coat, where it can become absorbed by the skin. In addition, your cat may sense the essential oil and groom the affected area, leading to ingestion of highly concentrated substances that their body can’t process." This fact in the other article shows that the argument being made is true with the concept that it would be best for cats to stay away from lavenders and lavender oils for the best of their health. 

Answer 8

The ASPCA is cited repeatedly regarding this issue. The ASPCA confirms the statement that lavender is toxic to cats to be true. However, lavender oil is really what is toxic to cats, less the plant itself. 

According to an article titled "Are Lavender Candles Safe for Pets- a Guide to Pet Safe Scents." Lavender was ruled toxic due to linalool and linalyl acetate being present in the plant. https://kalamazoocandle.com/blogs/learn-about-candles/lavender-candles-safe-cats#:~:text=The%20ASPCA%20has%20ruled%20lavender,and%20gastrointestinal%20tracts%20of%20cats. The article goes on to describe the negative symptoms shown in cats who have consumed lavender. Such as irritations of eyes and skin and irritation of the digestive system.

The ASPCA states similar claims in an article showing which animals find lavender to be toxic. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender It discusses the symptoms attributed to lavender consumption, and the chemicals present that sicken the cat.

Though the ASPCA claims lavender itself is the toxic substance, as stated above the lavender essential oil is really what can cause severe damage to your cat.

Answer 9

This articles claim is true, with the ASPCA claiming linlool and linalyl acetate found within Lavender plant is toxic to cats. A large amount of ingestion of these can lead to nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms were cited in multiple sources, ASPCA, as well as the original article and a seperate article from SprucePets.Com, which is vet reviewed. All articles also agree lavender oil is specifically dangerous due to its high concentration. A small amount of ingestion of the lavender plant shouldnt cause too much of illness in a cat, whereas a small amount of concentrated lavender oil is toxic to cats and will make them sick, but all articles repeat that lavender in general should be kept away from cats to be safe.

Answer 10

For this article, the topic is very simple to understand and there are many research opportunities they could have put in the article to make it stronger. Bringing in more licensed professors to back up the research is a good way to make it more reliable. they also claim that only oil is the toxic part for cats but it could be misleading in the way that all of the lavender products can be toxic for cats and your cat could just die for taking a sniff of lavender when that's not the case.