Is fern toxic to cats?

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 24 January 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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Are Fern Plants Poisonous To Cats
Video: Are Fern Plants Poisonous To Cats

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Cats are natural explorers, especially when they are alone at home. They take advantage of the “all for them” space to lie down wherever they want and find out if there's anything new to discover. And if you love green decor at home and have a pet, it's good to find out which ones plants are toxic to animals not to put your pussy's health at risk.

One of the main questions is regarding the fern, which has several different species, the most common in nature (Pteridium aquilinum), to a species widely used to brighten environments in the home (nephrolepis exaltata). Although they do not produce fruit and depend on the dispersion of their spores to colonize new areas, ferns are very present in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world. In Brazil alone, more than 1,000 species of the plant have been described.


Numerous studies on its toxicity have already been carried out, as it directly affects the bovine and horse world. And in this PeritoAnimal article we will explain to you if the fern is toxic to cats. You will understand which disorders the ingestion of the plant is capable of causing and what can or cannot be done in these situations. Check out!

Care of plants and pets at home

Some animals have the habit of eating grass to facilitate digestion or just out of curiosity. I learned in practice with Magali, my Siamese kitten who lived with me for 18 years: leaving plants within reach of our pet is not a good idea.

Occasionally I found my puppy vomiting around the house and the reason was almost always the same: the ingestion of plants (yes, it is possible to see the parts of the leaves that are not digested).


That's when I learned my lesson, the way was to choose safe plants for cats or leave the little plants in places inaccessible to pussies. It's the safest way to decorate the house without endangering your four-legged puppy.

Magali stayed at home all the time and never went out, but there are several cats that have a habit of walking daily in the neighborhood, gardens and even dense woods. That's why it's important to be aware of symptoms caused by intoxication.

Is fern toxic to cats?

Yes, the species fern Pteridium aquilinumétoxic to cats. The combination of cats and these ferns unfortunately does not work match. Well, unless the plant stays where it can't be reached by the feline. THE fern ingestion is capable of causing different disorders of intoxication, such as vomiting, anemia, excessive salivation, bloody diarrhea, convulsions and can even lead to death, depending on the amount he swallows[1].


This is all due to a compound called ptachyloside, found in the plant, which is considered the main responsible for the appearance of health problems in animals that ingested the fern[2]. The compost can also be addictive, making your pet always want to eat the plant, even after experiencing very uncomfortable symptoms after eating it. Now it's explained why our pussy keeps eating something it knows will hurt.

Of course, there are animals that eat little of the plant and do not show any kind of reaction, so observation is always the best ally when you suspect the ingestion of one of the plants poisonous to cats.

The good news is that the most common fern in Brazilian homes, Nephrolepis exaltata, not toxic to felines. Of course, you shouldn't let the feline eat the plant freely, but if it's ingested, your four-duck friend won't suffer from it.

My cat ate fern, what do I do?

If your kitten ate fern and you don't know what type it is, it's I need to be aware of the symptoms. First, keep the peace of mind. Your pet can get even more stressed and even worsen the intoxication picture depending on your behavior with it. The recommendation is not to do any home procedure or to medicate the animal intuitively, a very common procedure, but one that should be avoided

The tip is to observe the evolution of symptoms and avoid giving food or milk. As it has a neutral pH, much higher than that of the stomach, milk acts as a neutralizer only if the poison ingested is acidic. Otherwise, that is, if the poison is of a basic character, the milk can potentiate the action of the toxic substance, causing it to be absorbed even more quickly, so the best decision is to leave the saucer with the milk aside.

On the other hand, the water is released. And if poisoning develops, don't hesitate to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Other plants toxic to cats

There are a large number of plants that can cause digestive, neurological or cardiac disorders in cats. In addition to the fern, among the toxic plants for cats most common are the following:

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)

It is one of the easiest plants to find in forests and public areas with gardens. So, if your cat has a habit of running away from home or walking around freely, it's good to be careful. Ingesting eucalyptus causes gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and vomiting.

Ivy (hedera helix)

All parts of the ivy are poisonous, but the fruit, especially, is even more dangerous. Its ingestion causes both gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea and vomiting, as well as spasms and rapid heart rate. In addition, simple skin contact develops dermatitis and rashes in our kitten. In more serious cases, in which the pet ingests a large amount of the plant, it can even cause death.

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

It is difficult to imagine that this plant, so common and present in countless gardens, is capable of developing mainly gastrointestinal problems in cats. However, depending on the amount ingested, it can also cause breathing difficulties, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest in the most extreme cases, in addition to fever and drowsiness.

Nobody can with me (Dieffenbachia follow)

All parts of this plant are toxic to cats, whether by ingestion or just direct contact. Upon contact, the plant causes dermatological disorders, such as irritation, inflammation, redness or blisters. If swallowed, it causes burning in the mouth at the time, which usually causes the cat to stop eating immediately. In addition, it causes inflammation of the throat, pain, swelling of the neck, stomach and esophagus, difficulty in swallowing, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty breathing and, in the most severe cases, suffocation.

hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Both the leaves and flowers of Hortência are toxic and, among the main symptoms of feline poisoning by this plant are gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain). Depending on the amount ingested, it can also affect the nervous system, causing problems with motor skills, such as lack of coordination.

Lily (Lilium)

Ingesting this toxic plant for cats mainly causes digestive disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and general malaise. In more serious cases, it can cause hypertension and increased blood pressure in the feline.

Parrot Beak (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

It is one of the most common plants in the home during winter and, in turn, one of the most toxic to cats. its ingestion can cause digestive disorders such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Direct contact with the plant's sap causes irritation to the feline's skin and eyes, itching and rashes.

Tulip (Hybrid Tulip)

All parts of the tulip are toxic and ingestion can cause gastrointestinal irritation in the cat accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)

Although it mainly affects the digestive system, causing diarrhea, vomiting and excessive salivation, it can also develop a lack of coordination accompanied by hallucinations when consumed in small amounts. If the pet eats larger amounts, it can cause acute digestive damage, difficulty breathing, change in heart rate, seizures, hypertension, coma and even death in the most extreme cases.

Narcissus (narcissus)

All varieties of daffodil are toxic to cats. Contact with the plant develops skin irritation and, if ingested, causes serious gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and acute diarrhea, inflammation and abdominal pain, and heart disorders that can lead to the animal's death.

Safe Plants for Cats

Some plants for cats, however, are harmless and others are even considered medicinal for our four-legged pet. THE cat weed is one of them, as it allows to relieve stress in cats, favoring a peaceful environment and providing extra mental stimulation. Consult all the properties of the herb-gateira and do not hesitate to purchase one of these plants.

THE aloe vera or aloe, is another of the safe plants and highly beneficial to cats, especially for the treatment of skin problems. In this article you can answer all your doubts about the benefits of aloe vera for cats.

so much to chamomile as to valerian they are good outdoor plants for cats for many reasons. Also, they are beautiful and can help you decorate your garden. Starting with chamomile, its infusion can act as a home remedy for eliminate ticks on cats if applied topically, it serves to clean the eyes with goo, relieve conjunctivitis (always as a complement to veterinary treatment) and soothe irritated skin. Chamomile infusion, when ingested, also helps to treat mild gastrointestinal problems.

THE valerian, on the other hand, has a sedative effect on cats, so it is an excellent natural tranquilizer for nervous or stressed cats. However, despite its good results, it is essential to find what is causing this state of nervousness or anxiety to treat.

Other plants that we can recommend and that are not toxic to cats are some of the aromatic plants. The most suitable for felines are rosemary, thyme, parsley and mint, due to their properties. All of them provide vitamins and minerals, have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, purifying and digestive properties.

In addition, each offers particular benefits, which you can see in article 22 plants for cats. Now that you know the answer if fern is toxic to cats, don't miss the following video where we talk about 10 plants toxic to cats:

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Is fern toxic to cats?, we recommend that you enter our Prevention section.