With their cascading fronds and stunning green hues, ferns are a beautiful addition to any garden or living space. But are ferns safe to have around cats?
Generally speaking, most ferns are safe for cats. The challenge, however, is determining what plants are “true ferns” and what plants just look like ferns. Some of these plants can be poisonous to cats. Let’s learn more about fern toxicity for cats and what to watch out for.
Are Ferns Hazardous to Cats?
Most true ferns are safe for cats, even if they ingest them. The ASPCA has a list of true ferns:
These ferns are harmless to cats, but it’s best to avoid your cat regularly nibbling on these plants. If your cat ingests too much of these ferns, they can get digestive upset. This will be unpleasant, but unlikely to cause any long-term issues or death in healthy felines.
Now, plants that aren’t true ferns and merely look similar or have “fern” in their names can be a different story. A good example is the asparagus fern, also known as sprengeri fern, lace fern, or emerald fern, which is a popular houseplant that isn’t really a fern at all.
The leaves of the asparagus fern are toxic on their own; they can cause contact dermatitis. The berries can cause digestive upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some other toxic fern-like plants include bracken ferns, hemlock, and foxtail ferns.
Signs of Fern Toxicity in Cats
If your cat ingested the oils or parts of the leaves of toxic ferns, the symptoms can be mild or severe. Most cats will experience:
If your cat touches the fern’s leaves, it may have swelling, blisters, or inflammation.
Braken fern is usually not an issue for cats, but its prolonged exposure will cause enzootic hematuria in cattle, horses, and sheep.
Treating Fern Poisoning
Cats can ingest or touch true ferns without any problems. You don’t need to rush your cat to the veterinarian. Just keep an eye on any signs that may pop up.
With toxic ferns, it’s best to seek medical attention. Whether your cat ate the fern or rubbed against it, a toxic fern can lead to some significant medical problems. Take your cat to the veterinarian for an evaluation.
If possible, bring a sample of the fern to the clinic to confirm its species and toxicity level. If that isn’t an option, try to identify it using photos.
Your veterinarian will likely rinse the oils off your cat’s skin and mouth. If vomiting and diarrhea are expected, your veterinarian may want to administer intravenous fluids. A topical or oral antihistamine may also be provided to control skin irritation.
Is It Safe to Keep Ferns in My Home?
Our pets can come in contact with many poisonous plants outdoors, but we can do our best to keep them safe. True ferns may be harmless, but we shouldn’t encourage our cats to nibble or rub against houseplants, no matter what they are.
You shouldn’t need to remove all ferns from your house or yard. Instead, just use caution in choosing where to put your ferns. Hanging baskets are a great option to make sure your cat can’t access your ferns, and they look beautiful in your home. You could also place ferns on high shelves.
If you have known toxic ferns in your yard, you can use fencing or netting to keep your cat away. You can also have a landscaper remove the ferns for you.
In either case, it’s best to remove any known toxic plants from your home and garden and stick to plants that are safe for your pets, such as:
Conclusion
Being a pet owner comes with a lot of responsibility. It’s up to us to keep our home and garden safe and free of toxic plants that can hurt our furry companions. If you’re not sure if something is safe for your cat, it’s best to avoid bringing it into your home.
- Related read: Are Snake Plants Toxic to Cats? What You Need to Know!
Featured Image Credit: ilyessuti, Pixabay
