Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Hound's Tongue Fern toxic to cats?

Microsorum pustulatum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hound's tongue 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. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Microsorum pustulatum is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and no Microsorum species appears in the ASPCA database. While true ferns (family Polypodiaceae) are generally low-risk, formal safety for this species has not been established by the ASPCA. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution, keep out of reach of pets, and verify with your veterinarian if ingestion occurs.

What to do if your cat ate hound's tongue fern

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move hound's tongue fern out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of hound's tongue fern to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten hound's tongue fern, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is hound's tongue fern toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hound's tongue fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hound's tongue 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. Microsorum pustulatum is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and no Microsorum species appears in the ASPCA database. While true ferns (family Polypodiaceae) are generally low-risk, formal safety for this species has not been established by the ASPCA. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution, keep out of reach of pets, and verify with your veterinarian if ingestion occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hound's tongue fern?

Microsorum pustulatum is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and no Microsorum species appears in the ASPCA database. While true ferns (family Polypodiaceae) are generally low-risk, formal safety for this species has not been established by the ASPCA. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution, keep out of reach of pets, and verify with your veterinarian if ingestion occurs. 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 hound's tongue fern.

What should I do if my cat ate hound's tongue 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.

Is hound's tongue fern toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hound's Tongue Fern is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full hound's tongue fern pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hound's tongue fern?

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.

Full hound's tongue fern pet-safety