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Pet safety

Is Mountain Male Fern toxic to dogs?

Dryopteris oreades

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mountain male 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. Dryopteris oreades is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a precaution consistent with unlisted Dryopteris species, treat as mildly-toxic: ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What to do if your dog ate mountain male fern

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

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

Is mountain male fern toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is mountain male fern toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mountain male 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. Dryopteris oreades is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a precaution consistent with unlisted Dryopteris species, treat as mildly-toxic: ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats mountain male fern?

Dryopteris oreades is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a precaution consistent with unlisted Dryopteris species, treat as mildly-toxic: ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. 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 mountain male fern.

What should I do if my dog ate mountain male 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 mountain male fern toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to mountain male 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 mountain male fern pet-safety