Cats are our roommates, best friends, confidantes, and instigators. They are the reason we cannot have nice things, yet we love them just the same. The little internet stars have taken over our lives, and there’s no sign of them slowing up anytime soon; keeping our house panthers safe in our homes can be difficult. Cats are curious about everything in their surroundings. They are like a nosy neighbor or a detective hot on the trail, only inside your home. Cats are especially drawn to plants, but are ferns safe?
Are Ferns Toxic to Cats?
Ferns are an interesting plant that does not grow from a seed but from spores, similar to fungi. Overall, there are several thousand types of herbaceous, vascular fern plants in the world. None of which produce flowers. It can be especially confusing when trying to decipher which fern types are dangerous for cats and which aren’t. Many “ferns” are not in the family, though they have the word in their names. Other types of ferns are perfectly safe. You do not want to get the two mixed up.
Which Ferns are Safe for Cats?
True ferns are perfectly safe for cats to enjoy in moderation. The Polypodiaceae family of ferns is one in which all members are safe to have indoors with your cat. There are over 1,200 species of ferns under that classification. Boston and other common household ferns are native to the rainforest and other moisture-rich areas. Most of the ferns that make up the Polypodiaceae family are small to medium-sized, growing three feet tall at most. Ferns in this family have been traced to 360 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period.
Some other safe ferns are the button fern, mother fern, carrot fern, staghorn fern, bird nest fern, and sword fern, among many others. They all have long peacock feather-like limbs and foliage and are rarely invasive since they need the right environment to grow. These ferns are relatively common in the United States and are given as houseplant gifts and kept in offices.
They might add an exotic look to your home or office, but it looks absolutely delicious to your cat. Munching on some ferns occasionally is perfectly safe for your feline, as long as the plant and soil are free of pesticides and chemicals. It is important to note it needs to be consumed in moderation because if a kitty decides to eat the whole plant, you will have a cat with very unpleasant gastrointestinal issues and may need to visit the vet for fluids to compensate.
Which Ferns are Toxic to Cats?
Regarding toxic ferns, they exist but aren’t in the fern family. They just happen to be dressed like ferns and, to the untrained eye, look exactly like one. They are also commonly sold as ferns at big box stores that carry plants, and because they are so available to the public, they are more commonly seen in homes and gardens than true ferns. Outdoor cats roam and can come across a dangerous fern without your knowledge. Know the symptoms of poisoning and get to the vet if you see them.
Fern Palm (Cycas revoluta)
The fern palm, sometimes called the sago fern, is a common household plant that is toxic to cats. Though the entire plant is toxic, the seeds contain the highest amount of Cyanasin and B-methylamino-l-alanine. These toxins are extremely dangerous to cats, dogs, and cattle. Eating just one or two seeds can be fatal.
Some of the unpleasant side effects include bloody diarrhea, bloody vomit, jaundice, dehydration, tremors, seizures, bruising, and liver failure if the cat ingests any part of the fern palm. Even with immediate vet care, only 50% of animals survive the poisoning.
Treatment for the poisoning is aggressive and involves getting the cat to vomit up whatever part of the plant they ate. Activated charcoal is also used to bind to the toxin so the cat can pass it.
Poison Hemlock Fern (Conium maculatum)
Poison hemlock is not actually a fern but is sometimes confused with one. This mistake can be deadly to any cats or dogs in the house. The plant grows in North America as an invasive species and contains the toxins Coniine and gamma-conceive, found in nicotine. Poison hemlock is extremely common in the wild and can typically be found near roadsides. It is classified as a weed. Cats are unable to process the toxins and expel them through their livers.
The first side effects are drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and oral irritation. Your cat may paw at its mouth to remove what is causing the pain. Following this, the cat may go on to have tremors, seizures, unsteady gait, and difficulty breathing, and can also cause severe anemia.
If your cat has ingested poison hemlock, rinse its mouth, take a piece of the plant along with you, or take a photo to show the vet. The vet will start fluids to support liver and kidney functions, induce vomiting, and use activated charcoal.
Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri)
Foxtail ferns are not as dangerous as poison hemlock or fern palms, but they will still cause distress in your cat. The berries will cause nausea, respiratory distress, weakness, anorexia, and diarrhea. Exposure to the foliage can result in dermatitis in your cat. If you suspect your cat has eaten anything, get them to the vet because the symptoms can become severe with time.
Plants Just for Cats
It is crucial that you educate yourself on which plants are toxic and know the telltale signs of poisoning. If your cat eats anything it shouldn’t outside of its usual diet, it’s always best to contact your vet. Even safe plants can cause gastrointestinal upset and other symptoms when too much is eaten. Creating a secure environment for you and your fur kid is essential to having a happy home.
