Is lace fern toxic to cats and dogs?
Quick answer
Toxic to cats and dogs. Lace fern contains sapogenins.
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Lace fern Asparagus setaceus
What to do if your pet ate it
If you think your cat or dog ate any part of a lace fern, act quickly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
- Remove the plant from the pet’s reach.
- Call your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
- When you call, have the plant’s name or a photo ready. Tell the vet roughly how much your pet ate and when.
Do not induce vomiting unless a vet specifically instructs you to. It can make some poisonings worse.
Symptoms
In cats and dogs, chewing it or contact with the sap can cause:
- Vomiting and diarrhea (after eating the berries)
- Abdominal pain (after eating the berries)
- Skin irritation (from the sap)
Non-toxic plants for similar light
Polka dot plantHypoestes phyllostachyaBright, indirect lightPet-safe
Baby rubber plantPeperomia obtusifoliaBright, indirect lightPet-safe
Watermelon peperomiaPeperomia argyreiaBright, indirect lightPet-safe
Scarlet star bromeliadGuzmania lingulataBright, indirect lightPet-safeSee all pet-safe alternatives →
The ASPCA’s asparagus fern records name another species, Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'. NC State Extension lists Asparagus setaceus as a problem for cats and dogs and names sapogenins as its toxic substance. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
All lace fern guides
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