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

In this article it is exclaiming that lavender and almost most essential oils are bad for cats, I agree with this statement. I believe this statement is true because it is stating how the oils have toxins in the oil that are bad for the cats and there are few things that cats can ingest especially these oils.

Answer 2

The claim is slightly exaggerated. While the website itself isn't national reputable, the article was reviewed by a veterinarian, and a quick Google search provides her credentials. The claim that any amount of lavender is dangerous for cats is exaggerated; even the linked article claims "a nibble or two of lavender might not hurt" a cat, but that large amounts, such as lavender essential oils, may be very toxic. Any responsible pet owner would regard a substance that could cause sickness to their pet as dangerous and something to be kept out of reach.

Answer 3

While lavender should be kept away from kitty's consumption, the plant can actually have positive effects on cats' wellbeing. According to a veterinarian, Dr. Lorna Whittemore, BVMS, MRCVS, cat anxiety can be alleviated by diffusing small amounts of lavender into the air. However, this original poster is correct in stating the consumption of lavender can be toxic to cats. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea. Compounds found in lavender can overload cats organs, and could lead to developing respiratory issues. Multiple sources state that while there are benefits to lavender around cats, the risk of over-consumption of the plant itself or any consumption of concentrated oil are too great a risk. Advice ranges from forgoing the plant inside entirely to simply placing it out of reach of curious felines, but we all know how that usually goes. Ultimately, it's probably best to keep the herb away from your cats, and rely on lotions and low concentrated sprays to fill your home with it's scent.

https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/does-lavender-calm-cats/

Answer 4

The title of this claim is potentially misleading in relation to the article it references. While the article discusses the safety concerns surrounding lavender essential oils for cats, the title implies that the lavender plant itself poses a danger to felines. It is important to clarify that the lavender plant in its natural form is generally considered safe for cats. According to information from Feline Living, while lavender essential oils can be harmful if ingested or used improperly, the plant itself does not exhibit the same level of toxicity. Therefore, regardless of the accuracy of the claims regarding essential oils, the title inaccurately conflates the safety of the plant with that of its oil.

https://www.felineliving.net/lavender-oil-safe-cats/

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

After examining this article and fact checking it, I found it to indeed be true. This article is asking whether or not lavender essential oil is safe for cats, and it found that it is not. However, it is not necessarily deadly. According to this article and several other sources (wagwalking.com, and enduraflap.com) if ingested by a cat, it may cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, meaning that it is indeed toxic, and should be kept far away from any cat.

Answer 7

The claim is correct: lavender is dangerous for cats. This article named The spruce pets https://www.thesprucepets.com/is-lavender-safe-for-cats-7602701 have found that lavender has chemicals that can make cats sick if they eat or breathe too much of it. It's primarily due to the presence of the chemical compounds linalool and linalyl acetate which can irritate the skin,eyes and gastrointestinal tracts of cats. These chemicals are metabolized in the liver and may cause liver damage.

Answer 8

The article offers good insight into why lavender can be dangerous for cats. This can be very helpful for cat owners who aren't aware of the dangers of exposure to cats. Although, this claim is slightly misleading as it neglects to identify the difference between the essential oil of lavender vs the plant lavender. Cats have no reaction to the lavender plant, it is simply just the essential oil that can be dangerous and thus owners should avoid exposure to their cats.