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Is Wall-rue Spleenwort toxic to cats?

Asplenium ruta-muraria

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wall-rue spleenwort 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. Asplenium ruta-muraria is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The closely related Asplenium bulbiferum (mother fern) is listed as non-toxic, but extrapolation to all Asplenium species is not confirmed. A mildly-toxic classification is used here as a precaution, consistent with general PFAF notes that some ferns may contain thiaminase and unspecified carcinogens.

What to do if your cat ate wall-rue spleenwort

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move wall-rue spleenwort 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 wall-rue spleenwort to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is wall-rue spleenwort toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wall-rue spleenwort toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wall-rue spleenwort 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. Asplenium ruta-muraria is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The closely related Asplenium bulbiferum (mother fern) is listed as non-toxic, but extrapolation to all Asplenium species is not confirmed. A mildly-toxic classification is used here as a precaution, consistent with general PFAF notes that some ferns may contain thiaminase and unspecified carcinogens.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wall-rue spleenwort?

Asplenium ruta-muraria is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The closely related Asplenium bulbiferum (mother fern) is listed as non-toxic, but extrapolation to all Asplenium species is not confirmed. A mildly-toxic classification is used here as a precaution, consistent with general PFAF notes that some ferns may contain thiaminase and unspecified carcinogens. 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 wall-rue spleenwort.

What should I do if my cat ate wall-rue spleenwort?

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 wall-rue spleenwort toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wall-rue Spleenwort is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full wall-rue spleenwort pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to wall-rue spleenwort?

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 wall-rue spleenwort pet-safety