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Pet safety

Is Purple Cliff Brake toxic to cats?

Pellaea atropurpurea

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists purple cliff brake 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. Pellaea atropurpurea is not individually listed on the ASPCA database. The related species Pellaea rotundifolia (cliff brake) is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, because P. atropurpurea itself has not received an individual non-toxic confirmation, it is conservatively classified as mildly-toxic. Consult a vet if a pet ingests this plant.

What to do if your cat ate purple cliff brake

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

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

Is purple cliff brake toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is purple cliff brake toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists purple cliff brake 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. Pellaea atropurpurea is not individually listed on the ASPCA database. The related species Pellaea rotundifolia (cliff brake) is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, because P. atropurpurea itself has not received an individual non-toxic confirmation, it is conservatively classified as mildly-toxic. Consult a vet if a pet ingests this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats purple cliff brake?

Pellaea atropurpurea is not individually listed on the ASPCA database. The related species Pellaea rotundifolia (cliff brake) is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, because P. atropurpurea itself has not received an individual non-toxic confirmation, it is conservatively classified as mildly-toxic. Consult a vet if a pet ingests this 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 purple cliff brake.

What should I do if my cat ate purple cliff brake?

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 purple cliff brake toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Purple Cliff Brake is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full purple cliff brake pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to purple cliff brake?

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 purple cliff brake pet-safety