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Pet safety

Is Oak Leaf Fern toxic to cats?

Drynaria quercifolia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists oak leaf 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. There is no ASPCA genus rule for Drynaria. While most true ferns are not seriously poisonous and Drynaria is used in some traditional remedies, its pet safety is not formally established, so keep it out of reach of curious pets and contact a vet if grazing occurs.

What to do if your cat ate oak leaf fern

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move oak leaf 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 oak leaf fern to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is oak leaf fern toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is oak leaf fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists oak leaf 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. There is no ASPCA genus rule for Drynaria. While most true ferns are not seriously poisonous and Drynaria is used in some traditional remedies, its pet safety is not formally established, so keep it out of reach of curious pets and contact a vet if grazing occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats oak leaf fern?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. There is no ASPCA genus rule for Drynaria. While most true ferns are not seriously poisonous and Drynaria is used in some traditional remedies, its pet safety is not formally established, so keep it out of reach of curious pets and contact a vet if grazing 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 oak leaf fern.

What should I do if my cat ate oak leaf 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 oak leaf fern toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Oak Leaf Fern is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full oak leaf fern pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to oak leaf 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 oak leaf fern pet-safety