Whether maidenhair fern, bracken fern, rib fern, worm fern - the list of ferns that are often planted in the home or garden is long. But how poisonous are these plants for cats?
Are ferns poisonous to cats?
Ferns can be poisonous to cats, especially indoor cats. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, dilated pupils, lethargy and drowsiness. However, free-roaming cats are less at risk due to their instinct and avoid eating ferns.
Ferns are dangerous for indoor cats
Although there are few fern species whose fresh frond tips can be eaten, cat owners should be careful about putting ferns in their homes. Indoor cats in particular could get away with it.
If a cat (or other pet) nibbles on a fern or inhales its spores, the following symptoms of poisoning may occur:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- dilated pupils
- Lethargy
- Daziness
Tips & Tricks
Cats that are allowed to sniff the outdoors are less at risk. Their instinct prevents them from eating ferns. For this reason, you don't necessarily have to destroy ferns in the garden just because you have an outdoor cat.
