is lavender toxic to dogs
Sarah Parker
Updated on June 20, 2026
While pet parents should avoid using the majority of essential oils, a few are safe for pets if used appropriately. For example, lavender (when used sparingly and in the proper concentration) is probably the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats.
Can dogs inhale lavender?
Direct Inhalation
It’s pretty easy to introduce lavender into your dog’s environment so they can safely inhale it without the scent being too strong or invasive for their little bodies or sensitive noses.
Is lavender essential oils toxic for dogs?
Two compounds found in lavender, linalool and linalyl acetate, can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. Concentrated lavender oil contains more of these compounds than its flowers; dogs would need to eat a large volume of lavender plants to get sick, but could fall ill after ingesting only a small amount of lavender oil.
What essential oils can I diffuse around my dog?
Essential oils that are safe for dogs include:
Myrrh.Frankincense.Chamomile.Lavender oil.Ginger.Rosemary.
Can lavender be poisonous?
Lavender oil is generally not poisonous in adults when breathed in during aromatherapy or swallowed in smaller amounts. It may cause a reaction in children who swallow small amounts. The major effects are due to allergic reactions of the skin.
What scents are calming to dogs?
Because barking and excessive activity are typically signs of stress in shelter dogs — not to mention being undesirable behaviors in the eyes of many adopters — the study concluded that exposure to the odors of vanilla, coconut, valerian, and ginger has the potential to reduce stress in shelter dogs.
How do I apply lavender oil to my dog?
Lavender oil is a natural flea and tick repellent. Isn’t that great to know? You can treat your dog’s bedding, spray it on his collar, add it to his shampoo, and even dilute the oil and mist or spray on your dog*. Lavender will not kill the insects, but it will repel them.
Is lavender plants safe for dogs and cats?
What is Lavender Poisoning? Although Lavandula Angustifolia does contain the noxious compound linalool, it is in low enough concentrations to consider the plant itself as non-toxic. For this reason, lavender is often listed a safe plant to grow in gardens where dogs are allowed to roam free.
What are the symptoms of essential oil poisoning in dogs?
What should you look for if you believe your pet has been over-exposed to essential oils? Symptoms include lethargy, unsteadiness, or even a low body temperature in the most severe cases. If essential oils are ingested, you might also see drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
Is it safe for dogs to smell essential oils?
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
What essential oils are bad for dogs to smell?
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers.
Can I use a diffuser around my dog?
Using an oil diffuser for a short time period in a secured area— one that your dog or cat cannot access—is not likely to be an issue. However, if your pet has a history of breathing problems, it may be best to avoid using one altogether.