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Is Wood Fern 'The King' toxic to cats?

Dryopteris affinis 'The King'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood fern 'the king' 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. Dryopteris is not on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the genus's rhizomes contain filicic acid (filixic acid / filicin) and thiaminase, compounds documented to poison grazing livestock. This cultivar is not individually evaluated by the ASPCA for cats and dogs; treat as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and consult a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What to do if your cat ate wood fern 'the king'

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

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

Is wood fern 'the king' toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wood fern 'the king' toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood fern 'the king' 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. Dryopteris is not on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the genus's rhizomes contain filicic acid (filixic acid / filicin) and thiaminase, compounds documented to poison grazing livestock. This cultivar is not individually evaluated by the ASPCA for cats and dogs; treat as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and consult a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wood fern 'the king'?

Dryopteris is not on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the genus's rhizomes contain filicic acid (filixic acid / filicin) and thiaminase, compounds documented to poison grazing livestock. This cultivar is not individually evaluated by the ASPCA for cats and dogs; treat as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and consult a vet if ingestion is suspected. 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 wood fern 'the king'.

What should I do if my cat ate wood fern 'the king'?

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 wood fern 'the king' toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wood Fern 'The King' is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full wood fern 'the king' pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to wood fern 'the king'?

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 wood fern 'the king' pet-safety