Unlike the usual green grass, blue sky, and red roses that we think of as being cat-friendly, cats tend to favor more unusual smells when given a choice. For example, did you know that cats are attracted to violet, peppermint, and even eucalyptus? However, this does not mean that your feline friend won’t like lavender – in fact, there is much scientific evidence to prove that cats do indeed love lavender! So if you are considering adding some lavender plants to your home or garden it’s good news. Let’s take a look at why cats like lavender so much.
Do Cats Like Lavender?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats like or dislike lavender. However, anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that a lot of cats seem to be attracted to the scent of lavender. This could be because the essential oil in lavender has calming and relaxing properties, which could make it appealing to cats. Some people even use lavender oil as a natural cat repellent because cats generally don’t like the smell.
Why Do Cats Like Lavender?
1. Lavender Is A Calming Scent
A lot of people believe that lavender is the smell of death, but this is not true. Lavender has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many different problems – from insomnia to depression. The smell of lavender may be unpleasant to some people, but it’s actually very relaxing and calming to other people. When used in a room or house, lavender can help calm down anxious pets and human owners as well.
2. Lavender Has Antibacterial Properties
In recent years, scientific research has shown that lavender oil has strong antibacterial properties. Specifically, it can kill the bacteria that cause staph infections and even MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) – a deadly bacteria that can be highly resistant to antibiotics and other medicines. In addition to killing harmful bacteria, there are also reports that lavender oil can help reduce the severity of bacterial skin infections like those that cause acne.
3. Lavender Can Be Used As A Natural Mosquito Repellent
A little goes a long way when it comes to lavender oil, and when you put it on your skin or clothing, it will keep the mosquitoes away for hours. It’s also fabulous for those who have sensitive skin that gets irritated very easily. There are many other uses for lavender oil, but these three are just a few of the most popular ones! If you want to learn more about how to use lavender oil as a mosquito repellent, read this article.
4. Lavender Oil Is Very Relaxing And Calming
The soothing scent of lavender can help you relax and fall asleep, so if you’re a person who suffers from insomnia, lavender is an excellent choice. Lavender aromatherapy also helps with anxiety disorders, depression, and many other health problems.
5. Lavender Has Anti-Bacterial Properties That Can Help Fight Off Bacteria And Viruses
In addition to being a natural remedy for many physical ailments, lavender oil has also been used as a natural disinfectant for years. Since it kills harmful bacteria on contact, it can be used to help keep your home free of germs that cause colds or the flu – even when you’re not feeling well! In fact, some research suggests that the smell of lavender may be enough to kill bacteria in your home or on your skin!
Is Lavender Safe For Cats?
1. Lavender Is A Natural Cat Deterrent
You might be thinking, “Well, I’ve always known that lavender smells good – now you tell me that it’s also a natural cat deterrent!” Well, yes! Lavender comes from the same family as mint and eucalyptus. These plants can all be found in your garden or on your doorstep. In fact, many of these plants are commonly used to make essential oils for cleaning and relaxing. In other words, cats are familiar with these plants and often avoid them when they smell the scent of lavender.
2. Lavender Smells Like Cats Don’t!
The smell of lavender is not very fragrant and has an herbal, earthy quality to it. This means that your cat will be less likely to approach something that smells like this when they encounter it in their environment. Cats like to sniff out interesting scents but they dislike unpleasant smells. In fact, many people use lavender to make their homes smell more attractive because the scent is very calming and relaxing.
3. Lavender Smells Like Prey!
Cats are known to instinctively check out new areas of their environment. This means that if you have a cat who likes to explore new places you may find them checking out your lavender plants from time to time! This is especially true if you have a small garden or a balcony with outdoor lavender plants. If your cat likes to investigate smells then it’s quite possible that they will be attracted by the smell of lavender when they encounter it in your garden or on your balcony! This can be a great way for them to get used to the scent as well as get some exercise!
4. Lavender Plants Are Easy To Grow!
If you have ever tried growing plants in your house then you know how difficult they can be. Luckily, most people don’t have to worry about this when they decide to add a few lavender plants to their garden or balcony. Lavender is a very easy plant to grow and can be found in most gardening shops. If you are new to gardening then you may want to consider adding a few lavender plants to your garden as they are also great for making essential oils!
5. Lavender Plants Are Easy To Maintain!
If you are like most people, then you might think that lavender plants will be difficult for you to keep up with. This is not the case at all! Most people would find it quite easy to maintain their lavender plants as long as they use the correct care instructions. In other words, if you follow the steps correctly then your lavender plants should thrive and grow well without any problems at all.
How To Grow And Care For Lavender For Your Feline Friend
1. Lavender Is Sensitive To Pesticides
If you are considering adding lavender plants to your garden, remember that it is sensitive to pesticides. This means that you will have to keep the plants away from any pesticide-containing plants and apply the pesticides yourself instead.
2. Lavender Is A Calming Plant And A Great Stress Reliever
Lavender actually works as a calming agent, which means that it can be used in many different ways. It can be used in aromatherapy routines, diffusers, candles, potpourri, and more! It is also very useful for stress relief and anxiety because of its relaxing aroma.
3. Lavender Is Safe For Cats
As mentioned above, lavender is not only safe for humans but also for cats! Cats don’t tend to like a lot of smells which is why they prefer things like eucalyptus – however, this does not mean that there are no lavenders that are safe for cats to eat!
4. Lavender Is A Natural Insect Repellent
If you are worried about your feline friend’s safety, you can always try planting lavender around your home or garden to repel insects and mosquitoes! Not only will this help keep your cat safe but it will also help keep the rest of the garden safe as well.
The Science Behind This Behavior
1. Lavender Smells Good.
This is a very obvious one. Lavender smells wonderful and cats love it! You can even add a few drops to your pillow to help you fall asleep at night, as lavender has been shown to be relaxing and calming for humans too.
2. Lavender Is Calming For Cats.
Lavender has the ability to calm your feline friend, which can be rather useful when you have an anxious cat or a cat that wants to run around the house all day long. However, don’t worry if you don’t have any lavender plants – there are many other things that are equally effective at soothing cats! For example, try placing some calming music in the background while they play with their toys or when they eat their meal – your kitty will appreciate it!
3. Lavender Smells Nice.
Humans like lavender because of its smell – we’ve all smelled it and it makes us feel good. Cats also like the smell of lavender, so why not give them some lavender plants to enjoy?
4. Lavender Is Calming For Humans Too!
Did you know that lavender can help relieve stress and anxiety? This is because lavender contains a compound called linalool, which has been shown to be calming and relaxing for both humans and cats! However, keep in mind that while lavender is a very relaxing scent for humans, it’s not recommended to use it as a sleep aid or as a general relaxation aid for cats.
5. Lavender Makes Your Cat Feel Safe.
We all know that cats love to explore new places – especially places where they cannot see what could be lurking around the corner. However, cats have an innate sense of security when they are in their own homes – this means that when your kitty comes indoors from their outdoor adventures you should make sure that there are no plants or other objects in the way of your cat. Lavender plants can be a great way to help your cat feel safe and secure.
Conclusion
Cats are a very unique and interesting species. Part of this uniqueness comes from their strong sense of smell which allows them to identify and communicate with others in their species. Cats enjoy a wide variety of scents but lavender is one that many enjoy. If you are looking to add some lavender to your home or garden, you can rest assured that cats will love it. You can also rest assured that it will also benefit you in other ways. Lavender is a natural insect repellent and it is also a very decorative plant. So, if you are looking for a unique and interesting way to bring nature into your home or garden.
