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Is Water Clover Fern toxic to cats?

Marsilea mutica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists water clover 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. Importantly, nardoo ferns (Marsilea) are documented to contain high levels of thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1); raw nardoo has caused fatal thiamine deficiency (polioencephalomalacia) in grazing livestock per Cornell and MSD veterinary sources. Keep pets from grazing it and do not let people eat the raw plant.

What to do if your cat ate water clover fern

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

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

Is water clover fern toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is water clover fern toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists water clover 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. Importantly, nardoo ferns (Marsilea) are documented to contain high levels of thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1); raw nardoo has caused fatal thiamine deficiency (polioencephalomalacia) in grazing livestock per Cornell and MSD veterinary sources. Keep pets from grazing it and do not let people eat the raw plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats water clover fern?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. Importantly, nardoo ferns (Marsilea) are documented to contain high levels of thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1); raw nardoo has caused fatal thiamine deficiency (polioencephalomalacia) in grazing livestock per Cornell and MSD veterinary sources. Keep pets from grazing it and do not let people eat the raw 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 water clover fern.

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

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to water clover 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 water clover fern pet-safety