Frequently Asked Questions

Simple answer: Lavender oil is not toxic to dogs unless it is administered in very large quantities (this applies orally and topically).

Lavengel® does not contain enough lavender oil in an entire tube that would be considered harmful to a healthy dog. It was researched and developed for over 10 years to be safe for dogs and is currently used in veterinary clinics.

It is possible that your dog has an allergic reaction to lavender (i.e., an area becomes more red and inflamed after applying) though this has been extremely infrequent.

As with any over-the-counter or prescribed product, if your dog exhibits an adverse reaction to Lavengel®, we recommend discontinuing use and consulting your veterinarian.

Answer from Lavengel's founder and creator, W. Andrew Clark, Ph.D, RD:

We have developed a significant amount of data supporting the efficacy and safety of Lavengel® in addressing dermatological problems that occur in canines. Research has reported benefits of lavender oil including antimicrobial activity, an anti-anxiety effect, and a reduction in itching. In the formulation of Lavengel®, we are able to have the benefits of lavender oil at a level that is safe - even if consumed by the animal.

Lavender oil is only toxic to canines when administered in excessive quantities. Whether it is applied topically or consumed orally, there is not enough lavender oil contained within an entire tube of Lavengel® - or several, for that matter - that could be considered harmful, even to a small dog. The larger the dog is, the greater the dose would be required to cause harm.

Generally, we recommend using a dose of one 3/16-inch dot (less than the diameter of a pencil) for a 3-inch by 3-inch area (the size of a Post-It note). Your use may vary.

As with any over-the-counter or prescribed product, if you observe any skin reaction, digestive upset, or behavior issues, you should immediately discontinue use and consult your vet.

W. Andrew Clark, Ph.D, RD, is a Professor of Clinical Nutrition and Associate Dean of Research at East Tennessee State University. He has training in animal and human nutrition from Colorado State University, the University of Delaware, and North Carolina State University. Dr. Clark has over 44 years of post-PhD nutrition experience and is the inventor of Lavengel® and other nutritional products.

A bandage is not required after applying Lavengel®, but in many cases, it would be advisable. If the gel is used on sensitive or high-impact areas (e.g., near hip joints or on a paw, a bandage would be advisable.

Dogs tend to instinctively lick an area in an attempt to soothe pain or irritation, and they may lick the gel off. In certain cases, an Elizabethan collar (cone or donut) may also be necessary to prevent them from being able to lick an affected area.

You should consult with your veterinarian as to whether a bandage and/or cone is needed. They can also show you how to properly apply them.

Yes, we have no reason to believe that it would be unsafe for any dog breed.

Lavengel® can be used in conjunction with oral medications, such as Apoquel®, or injections.

However, we cannot verify the safety of Lavengel® if it is mixed with other creams, lotions, or topical products of any kind.

If you decide to use Lavengel® with another topical, do so cautiously. Consult a physician if any skin irritation occurs.

Lavengel® is safe for dogs to lick!

The ingredients in Lavengel® are nutrition-based and will be metabolized in the body as a nutrient - without messy internal side effects that chemicals can cause.

That said, it is for external use and not intended to be ingested.

The ingredients in Lavengel® are nutrition-based; they are metabolized and used by the body. Assuming no lavender-based allergies, it's safe.

Yes. Lavengel® has actually been successfully used with other animals (horses, birds, pigs, a bat-eared fox, and rodents), although extensive research has not yet been conducted. Because it is chemical and preservative-free and made with nutrients, we believe Lavengel® is safe to use for the vast majority of animals.

However, there is a component in lavender oil (linalool acid) that is found to be unhealthy for felines, so we do not suggest use on cats.

By nature, lavender oil contains a component called linalool acid, which has been found to be unhealthy for cats in substantial amounts.

While we do not believe there is nearly enough lavender oil in Lavengel® to be harmful to a healthy feline, we prefer to err on the side of caution.

Yes, Lavengel® was originally created for humans (you can read more about the back story on our About page, with the full story on this origin story blog post). It is comprised of nutrients and is safe to use on your skin to assist in the healing of a myriad of different skin conditions. You should not, however, put it in your eyes or use it if allergic to lavender.

Yes, this is normal, and if anything, it is one of the extraordinary benefits of Lavengel®.

People have reported that they notice a reduction in pain when applying Lavengel® to burns, cuts, shingles lesions, blisters, incision lines, and other issues.

Based on some testing done by a colleague of Dr. Clark, Lavengel® appears to have a numbing effect that is more significant than petroleum jelly, but less significant than lidocaine.

While it would not technically be considered unsafe, we do not recommend using Lavengel® on large, open wounds that are actively bleeding. You'll want to make sure any bleeding has stopped before applying. Wounds that have been stitched up (i.e. post-surgery) are perfectly fine.

We also recommend caution when applying Lavengel® near the eyes - as it could sting - or on/near your dog’s nose due to its strong lavender scent when it is first applied. Some dogs don't mind it; some do. The strength of the scent fades shortly after being applied.

If you forget to wash your hands after application and get some in your or your dog's eyes, flush your/their eyes with cold water to dilute and remove the gel (it is water-soluble). It may sting, but it should not be harmful.

Nope.

This came from a question we were asked, and here is Dr. Clark's response:

"Zinc is actually a required trace mineral for all mammals, and the minimum requirement for dogs is 36 mg/kg of the dogs body weight. A kilogram is 2.2 pounds, so a 60 pound dog (27.3 kg) would require ~983 mg of zinc per day to meet the minimal requirement for zinc.

An 8-gram tube of Lavengel contains 26 mg of zinc for the entire tube, and the tube is used for multiple topical treatments. If you had 100 treatments per tube, the dose that a dog could lick off would be 0.26 mg per treatment. We recommend 2 to 3 treatments per day so the daily maximum dose would be 0.78 mg of zinc.

There are toxicity issues with high levels of zinc, and the LD acute toxicity is 100 mg/kg of body weight. Most zinc toxicities are from consumption of a penny (mostly zinc) or consumption of zinc phosphides, which are found in gopher, mole and vole poison baits.

Zinc deficiency, on the other hand, is common and results in vomiting, loss of pigmentation in hair, retarded growth, evacuation, and delayed wound healing.

I am trained in human and animal nutrition, and we researched the safety of Lavengel® thoroughly during the decade of product development and research prior to our launch."