Is Ceratopteris cornuta toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists ceratopteris cornuta as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Ceratopteris cornuta is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. As with other aquatic ferns, the lack of a specific ASPCA listing means its pet status is uncertain, so verify with a vet rather than assuming it is safe to ingest. No specific toxic principle is documented.

Ceratopteris cornuta is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. As with other aquatic ferns, the lack of a specific ASPCA listing means its pet status is uncertain, so verify with a vet rather than assuming it is safe to ingest. No specific toxic principle is documented. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to ceratopteris cornuta.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Ceratopteris cornuta is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full ceratopteris cornuta pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.