Do you have a furry feline that you just can’t seem to keep away from your prized plants? Are you wondering if lavender could be the solution to keeping cats away? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll explore the sense of smell in cats, why cats have an aversion to lavender, different varieties of lavender, and how you can use lavender oils and essential oil blends to keep cats away.
So if you’re curious about which lavender cats hate, read on to discover the answer!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Cats generally do not like the smell of lavender.
They have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans and can detect even the faintest scents.
Lavender essential oil is likely to be the most disliked as it is the most concentrated form of the scent.
However, some cats may not be bothered by it depending on their individual preferences.
The Sense of Smell in Cats
Cats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, keenly developed to help them find food, locate mates, and detect danger.
While humans have around 5 million olfactory receptor cells, cats have up to 200 million.
This makes their sense of smell much more powerful than ours, to the point where certain fragrances can be overwhelming and unpleasant for cats.
Lavender is one such scent that cats tend to dislike, particularly when it is in its strongest form.
The scent of lavender comes from the oil found in its leaves, stems, and flowers.
While the aroma of lavender can be pleasant for humans, cats are sensitive to its strong scent.
In particular, they find the scent of certain varieties of lavender, such as spike lavender and lavandin, to be particularly overwhelming.
This is why these types of lavender are especially disliked by cats, and why they should be avoided when trying to keep cats away from a certain area.
In order to keep cats away from an area, it is best to use a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing these types of lavender.
These oils can be used to make sprays or diffusers, which can be used to create a barrier that cats will find unpleasant.
Alternatively, dried lavender flowers can be placed around an area to deter cats, although this may not be as effective as using an oil or essential oil blend.
Why Cats Dislike Lavender
When it comes to fragrances, cats have an incredibly acute sense of smell.
While certain scents may be pleasant and enjoyable for humans, they may be too overwhelming and unpleasant for cats.
Lavender is a particularly strong scent that cats usually do not like, and certain varieties of lavender, such as spike lavender and lavandin, are especially disliked due to their intense aroma.
This is because when cats encounter these types of lavender, the scent is so strong that it overwhelms their senses.
This can cause cats to become anxious and agitated, leading to behavior such as scratching, meowing, and even running away.
In addition, cats can also develop a physical aversion to the smell, such as sneezing, coughing, and even vomiting.
This is why it is important to be mindful of the type of lavender you use around cats.
It is also important to note that some cats may be more sensitive to the smell of lavender than others.
Some cats may have an innate aversion to the smell, while others may develop a tolerance to it over time.
Thus, it is best to experiment with different types and levels of lavender to see which works best for your cat.
Using a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing the types of lavender cats find unpleasant is an effective way to keep cats away from a certain area.
These oils can be used to create a barrier that will discourage cats from entering or staying in a particular area.
However, it is important to remember to use these oils sparingly and in a safe way to avoid any potential health risks for cats.
Different Varieties of Lavender
When it comes to lavender, its important to know that not all varieties are created equal.
While some varieties are pleasant to humans, they can be overwhelming and unpleasant for cats.
The two main types of lavender that cats tend to dislike the most are spike lavender and lavandin.
Spike lavender is a type of lavender that is characterized by its upright, narrow spikes of flowers, rather than the round, flat spikes of its other lavender cousins.
It has a very strong, intense scent that can be overwhelming to cats.
Lavandin, on the other hand, is a hybrid of two different types of lavender, and it is known for its strong, camphorous aroma.
Both of these varieties of lavender are especially disliked by cats due to their intense scent.
If you are looking for a way to keep cats away from a certain area, it is recommended to use a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing these types of lavender.
Spike Lavender
When it comes to cats and lavender, one of the most disliked varieties is spike lavender.
This type of lavender, also known as Aspic Lavender, has a very strong aroma that cats find unpleasant.
It is recognizable by its pointed leaves and stems, and the flowers have a more intense scent than other lavender varieties.
Spike lavender is native to the Mediterranean, and it has been used for centuries in perfumes and cosmetics due to its potent scent.
In addition, it has traditionally been used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
When it comes to cats, however, spike lavender is best avoided.
The strong scent of this type of lavender is overwhelming for cats, and it has been known to cause discomfort and even distress in some cats.
Thus, it is not recommended to use spike lavender to keep cats away from a certain area.
Instead, it is best to use a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing other types of lavender that are less intense.
Lavandin
When it comes to fragrances that cats don’t like, lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is one of the worst offenders.
This hybrid species of lavender has a strong, pungent aroma that cats find particularly unpleasant.
This odor is so strong that cats will stay away from any area that contains it.
Lavandin is a hybrid of two species of lavender, Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.
This hybrid lavender is well-known for its ability to produce a strong scent, making it a popular choice for use in essential oils, perfumes, and other fragrant products.
The strong scent of lavandin is due to its high concentrations of camphor, which cats find particularly offensive.
Lavandin also contains other compounds such as linalool and limonene, which cats may find unpleasant as well.
In addition to its strong odor, lavandin is also highly irritating to cats.
The volatile oils in lavandin can cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions in some cats.
To keep cats away from a certain area, it is best to use lavandin oil or an essential oil blend containing this type of lavender.
Keeping Cats Away with Lavender
Cats and their acute sense of smell can make them sensitive to certain fragrances, including lavender.
Lavender is a popular scent for humans, but it can be overwhelming and unpleasant for cats.
While all types of lavender can have a strong aroma, certain varieties, such as spike lavender and lavandin, can be especially disliked by cats.
Using these varieties of lavender, or a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing them, can be an effective way to keep cats away from a certain area.
For example, if you have a garden that you don’t want cats to enter, you can use these types of lavender to create a border around it.
The strong aroma of the lavender can be off-putting to cats, and they may not want to enter the area.
Alternatively, you can use lavender-scented accessories such as cat collars, litter boxes, or toys to help keep cats away from certain areas.
The lavender scent will not only help to deter cats, but it can also make the area smell pleasant for humans.
Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that not all cats will be deterred by the scent of lavender.
Some cats may enjoy it, while others may be indifferent.
If you’re looking for a more effective way to keep cats away, you may want to look into other methods such as motion sensors or physical barriers.
Using Lavender Oils and Essential Oil Blends
When it comes to keeping cats away from a certain area, one of the most popular solutions is to use lavender oil or an essential oil blend containing lavender.
Lavender oil is an oil derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, and it has a distinct floral scent that cats generally find unpleasant.
Lavender oil can be used on its own or blended with other essential oils to create an even more effective deterrent.
Spike lavender and lavandin are two types of lavender oil that are especially disliked by cats, and they should be included in any essential oil blend when trying to keep cats away from a certain area.
When using lavender oils, it is important to be aware of the fact that cats have an acute sense of smell, and strong scents can be overwhelming and unpleasant for them.
Therefore, it is best to use a diluted version of the oil or blend, and to avoid using it in areas where cats have access.
In addition, it is important to remember that cats are naturally curious creatures, and they may be tempted to investigate an area where the scent of lavender oil is present.
Therefore, it is recommended to use the oil or blend sparingly, and to make sure that the area is well ventilated to prevent cats from becoming overwhelmed by the scent.
Finally, it is important to note that while lavender oil and essential oil blend containing lavender can be an effective way to keep cats away from a certain area, it is not a fool-proof solution.
Cats may still find their way into the area, and it is important to take other precautionary measures to ensure that cats do not gain access.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, cats have a very sensitive sense of smell.
While some fragrances may be pleasant to humans, they can be overwhelming and unpleasant for cats.
Certain types of lavender, such as spike lavender and lavandin, are especially disliked.
To keep cats away from a certain area, it is recommended to use a lavender oil or essential oil blend containing these types of lavender.
So next time you need to keep cats away, remember to use a lavender-based product and keep your furry friends safe and away!