Question

Lavender is not safe for cats, after reading this source carefully and following its data points, I have found that this claim is a true statement. Lavender is found to have really harsh chemicals, including linalool and linalyl acetate, which can harm cats' livers. In this article, they cite evidence from the ASPCA, and after researching this website, I found that this is a very well-researched position control center. I also found from both websites that cats can be exposed to the lavender plant, but under no circumstances can they eat it. Cats are not very likely to die, but they will be in serious harm. This source is filled with a lot of good information and has clearly valid sources. This sources claims to be "vet reviewd and pet approved" which is another valid form of verification.  Since they clearly have the same information as the poison control center, this website information is valid.

Comments

Your fact check seems to be true. Looking to other articles too lavender is not safe for some animals and especially for cats. I like the way you explained it and mentioning what could possibly happen if a cat gets in touch with lavender.

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I think this was a good response, I like how you included the exact chemicals that are harmful for cats. I searched to find out if the chemicals you noted were actually bad for cats, and found it to be true according to multiple sources, one of them being wagwalking.com.

Answer 1

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender
https://harlingenveterinaryclinic.com/is-lavender-safe-for-cats/

Lavender is not safe for cats. It contains linalool and linalyl acetate (two substances that cannot be digested well by cats), resulting in nausea, vomiting or in large amounts being harmful to their livers.

Answer 2

The claim that lavender is not safe for cats is true. The article that is used to prove it has correct information is taken from the ASPCA, which is a well-known animal website. After fact-checking on the ASPCA website, I can see that the information stated in the article and the claim are true. Because of the chemical compounds found in Lavender, cats can be seriously harmed.

Answer 3

This is a great fact check. Good job mentioning how the article cites trustable sources, how the company conducts good research, and explaining how the information in the article backs up the claim. Next time, I suggest mentioning the date of the article that was posted to make sure that the information is relevant and still true today.

Answer 4

The article is published by The Spruce Pets, which claims to be vet-reviewed. After navigating their website, I found a veterinary review board listing multiple doctors of veterinary medicine. This leads me to trust the review board’s expertise on topics published by The Spruce Pets. The specific article about lavender's effect on cats is written by Jenna Stregowski and reviewed by Monica Tarantino. Stregowski is the Pet Health and Behavior Editor for both Daily Paws and The Spruce Pets and has also been a registered veterinary technician for over 20 years. Tarantino is a DVM who is part of The Spruce Pet’s Review Board and has over 5 years of experience with general practice, emergency medicine, and geriatric pet health. Given their experience, I trust that the article is written with relevant knowledge, credibility, and expertise. The article strays from any exaggerated or misleading content, explaining in the subtitle and the introduction that while lavender can be harmful to cats, it is unlikely to cause a life-threatening issue. Additionally, the article cites the ASPCA Poison Control Center, a reputable source that collects data relating to toxicities for animals. The article proceeds to describe the metabolic processes behind the harm of lavender, citing the chemical compounds linalool and linalyl acetate. The article cites multiple veterinary clinics, strengthening its credibility, and does a thorough job explaining the various forms of lavender and their effect on cats. In addition, they are extremely transparent about their editorial process, providing a link to their guidelines, process, and editorial staff along with their sources. When looking up the claim, I also found articles stating the same claims of toxicity. However, the topic is heavily debated.