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Pet safety

Is Painted Brake Fern toxic to cats?

Pteris tricolor

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists painted brake 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. Pteris tricolor is not individually listed by the ASPCA. While many Pteris species are not considered highly toxic, formal pet-safety data for this species is lacking. As a precautionary measure it is classified as mildly toxic; keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.

What to do if your cat ate painted brake fern

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

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

Is painted brake fern toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is painted brake fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists painted brake 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. Pteris tricolor is not individually listed by the ASPCA. While many Pteris species are not considered highly toxic, formal pet-safety data for this species is lacking. As a precautionary measure it is classified as mildly toxic; keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats painted brake fern?

Pteris tricolor is not individually listed by the ASPCA. While many Pteris species are not considered highly toxic, formal pet-safety data for this species is lacking. As a precautionary measure it is classified as mildly toxic; keep it out of reach of cats and dogs. 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 painted brake fern.

What should I do if my cat ate painted brake 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 painted brake fern toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Painted Brake Fern is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full painted brake fern pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to painted brake 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 painted brake fern pet-safety