Asparagus Fern refers to A. aethiopicus, A. densiflorus, A. plumosus, A. setaceus, or A. virgatus species. Let us examine if these fern species are toxic to cats or not.
Belonging to the genus Asparagus, asparagus ferns are among the 300 species of flowering plants in this genus in the family Asparagaceae (not true ferns as they don’t bear spores). You will often get people mentioning them as Liliaceae or Amaryllidaceae family members; however, this isn’t correct.
People with cats need to know that asparagus ferns are toxic to cats, and this includes the A. densiflorus (Foxtail fern, plume asparagus), A. setaceus (lace, climbing, ferny or common asparagus), A. virgatus (tree, tiki, or African broom fern), A. aethiopicus (asparagus grass or foxtail fern), and A. plumosus (plumosa fern)
These plants may go by other names such as emerald father and Sprenger’s asparagus fern and Mazeppa, Sprengeri, Racemose, Emerald ferns.
Toxicity causes and signs
The next question is, why are asparagus ferns poisonous to cats and even dogs? The answer is simple; they have sapogenin, a type of plant saponin (steroid) with a bitter taste.
Continued exposure to this plant’s sap of these ferns plant may result in allergic dermatitis. Additionally, if your feline pal eats the bright red colored asparagus fern berry, it may cause the following symptoms gastric upsets:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
If you suspect that your feline pal has eaten asparagus ferns, especially the berries, or has any of the above symptoms, call an animal poison control helpline or take her to your veterinarian.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers (800) 222-1222, the Pet Poison Helpline 1 (855) 764-7661, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (800)426-4435 will help you, but the latter may charge you a service fee.
Finally, if the sap came in contact with your feline skin, you can give them a warm bath to reduce the dermatitis reaction.
Protection
The feathery fern-like branches and laced leaves make asparagus ferns a treasured garden and houseplant.
While the best choice is to avoid having them in your garden or home if you have kitties or dogs, however, if you must, here are some helpful tips:
- Grow them in a plant terrarium that doesn’t give your cat access to these ornamentals.
- Use repellents like cayenne pepper spray or buy brands like PetSafe SSSCAT Spray Dog and Cat Deterrent that is motion activated. There are many other good brands too.
- Train your kitties not to eat any plants
- Provide alternative safer plats if your feline is a grazer. We have a review on some of the best cat grasses.
- Pick any berries and leaves that may fall. Berries present a more serious risk when compared to leaves, but both are not safe.
- Give your cats toys to reduce boredom. Boredom may encourage some unnatural behaviors like eating greenery.
These are not the only ways to deter cats from your houseplants. Other methods include covering the pot with aluminum foil (cats don’t like the feel and sound of the foil on their paws), place sharp rocks on the port with ferns, and so on.
Safer plant choice
While it causes mild toxicity, it is good to ensure your cat doesn’t eat asparagus ferns, especially the berries. Alternatively, you can buy cat-friendly houseplants like:
- African violets
- Air plant
- Christmas cactus
- Spider plant
- Parlor, ponytail, and areca palms
- Moth orchid
- Calathea
- Lipstick plants
- American baby plant
- Boston ferns
- Blue Echeveria