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Pet safety

Is Wart Fern toxic to cats?

Microsorum scolopendria

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wart 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. Microsorum scolopendria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, and the genus is not among ASPCA's confirmed entries. Although most true ferns are regarded as non-toxic, we treat this species as uncertain: keep it out of reach, discourage chewing, and verify with a vet before assuming it is pet-safe.

What to do if your cat ate wart fern

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

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

Is wart fern toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wart fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wart 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. Microsorum scolopendria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, and the genus is not among ASPCA's confirmed entries. Although most true ferns are regarded as non-toxic, we treat this species as uncertain: keep it out of reach, discourage chewing, and verify with a vet before assuming it is pet-safe.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wart fern?

Microsorum scolopendria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, and the genus is not among ASPCA's confirmed entries. Although most true ferns are regarded as non-toxic, we treat this species as uncertain: keep it out of reach, discourage chewing, and verify with a vet before assuming it is pet-safe. 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 wart fern.

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

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to wart 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 wart fern pet-safety