Is Fortune's Holly Fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fortune's holly fern 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. Cyrtomium fortunei is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. While the closely related Cyrtomium falcatum is confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA, this species has not been assessed. As a precaution, treat as mildly toxic and prevent cats and dogs from ingesting any part of the plant.

Cyrtomium fortunei is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. While the closely related Cyrtomium falcatum is confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA, this species has not been assessed. As a precaution, treat as mildly toxic and prevent cats and dogs from ingesting any part of the plant. 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 fortune's holly fern.

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: Fortune's Holly Fern is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full fortune's holly fern 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.