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Pet safety

Is Cliff Brake Fern toxic to dogs?

Pellaea truncata

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cliff brake fern as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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 truncata is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Pellaea genus is not classified among the well-known toxic fern groups, but formal pet-safety data is lacking. Treating it as mildly toxic and keeping it out of reach of pets is the cautious approach.

What to do if your dog ate cliff brake fern

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

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

Is cliff brake fern toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is cliff brake fern toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cliff brake fern as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Pellaea truncata is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Pellaea genus is not classified among the well-known toxic fern groups, but formal pet-safety data is lacking. Treating it as mildly toxic and keeping it out of reach of pets is the cautious approach.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats cliff brake fern?

Pellaea truncata is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Pellaea genus is not classified among the well-known toxic fern groups, but formal pet-safety data is lacking. Treating it as mildly toxic and keeping it out of reach of pets is the cautious approach. 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 dog has had access to cliff brake fern.

What should I do if my dog ate cliff brake fern?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 cliff brake fern toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to cliff brake fern?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full cliff brake fern pet-safety