Most ferns make for nice home crops, and the Boston Fern is without doubt one of the extra engaging, straightforward to look after, and enjoyable ferns to have across the residence.
If you happen to share your house with a cat, nevertheless – or a canine for that matter – you should examine that your Boston Fern doesn’t pose any well being threats.
A number of the most unassuming crops possess some significantly poisonous threats to pets and us. (Simply learn this post on whether or no the fiddle leaf fig is toxic to cats).
So, in case you have a Boston Fern or are considering of getting one and also you share your house with pets, right here’s every thing you want to concentrate on:
What Is a Boston Fern?

To start with, should you’re on the fence about getting a Boston Fern, additionally known as a Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis) I can personally suggest them.
I’ve had a pair through the years, and I actually take pleasure in them. Primarily as a result of they don’t require loads of upkeep, that’s a key requirement for me holding indoor crops.
They do their little half to assist enhance the air high quality in your house, which is all the time welcome. They appear nice, and it’s good for our wellbeing to have crops to look after.
They have an inclination to develop a bit thicker than different frequent indoor ferns. The wispy fronds are busy with a number of strands, so they’re interesting to curious cats, that’s for positive.
Is Boston Fern Dangerous to Cats?
Boston Ferns aren’t dangerous or poisonous to cats in any approach, no.
That is confirmed by the ASPCA here. I additionally requested one of many botanists that work at my native backyard heart after I was there final time and he stated the identical factor.
Plus, I used to be already assured of this myself as I’ve had Boston Ferns and cats in the identical residence for various years.
Considered one of my cats, Yngwie, positively performed with the fronds and nibbled on it from time to time too. (Don’t fear, I’d already checked it wasn’t poisonous – I’m not an irresponsible cat proprietor!)
So, the excellent news is that you simply don’t have to fret about your fern making your cat sick.
This may not be your solely drawback although. The lengthy fronds are literally attractive and laborious to withstand enjoying with for lots of cats.
There got here some extent after I needed to transfer mine to cease my cat enjoying with it and damaging it after I was out.
Be ready to do one thing to discourage this habits, in case your cat is comfy chewing on crops they may get a shock after they chew the improper plant sooner or later!
Which Ferns Are Poisonous to Cats?
Whereas the Boston Fern is innocent to us and our housepets, the identical can’t be stated for all ferns which are generally saved indoors or round our properties.
Some ferns pose a severe menace in the best way of toxicity, just a few of the primary ones to keep away from are:
- Asparagus Fern
- Plumosa Fern
- Emerald Feather
- Australian Nut Fern
- Sprengeri Fern
- Shatavari Fern
In case your kitty comes into contact with any of those you possibly can count on indicators of irritation to their tongue, mouth, throat, and anyplace else it’s come into contact with them.
With doable vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, and extended pores and skin irritation. I’ve seen the response from a cat that has come into contact with a mildly poisonous plant earlier than, and it’s not a pleasing sight.
She was pawing at her mouth and wretching inside minutes. If you happen to suppose your cat has come into contact with any type of poisonous plant it’s best to a minimum of name your vet.
Or, you possibly can name the Animal Poison Management hotline, additionally accessible on the ASPCA web site.
Describe to them what’s occurring, what plant it was, and act on their recommendation.
Some Non Poisonous Vegetation for Cats

Simply because you will have a cat at residence, it doesn’t imply you possibly can’t have some stunning and unique home crops.
Listed below are a number of the frequent houseplants that can impress your pals and extra importantly pose no menace to cats and canines:
- Bamboo
- Christmas Cactus
- American Rubber Plant
- Hen and Chickens. Spider Plant, Ribbon Vegetation
- Moth Orchids
- Dwarf Date Palm
A number of the Vegetation That Are Poisonous to Cats
Now which crops are secure, it additionally helps to know which crops it’s best to keep away from.
This isn’t an exhaustive record by any means, however these are a number of the extra frequent crops which are poisonous to cats in response to PetMD:
- Amaryllis
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons
- Castor Bean
- Daffodils
- English Ivy
- Hyacinth
- Lily
- Sago Palm
- Tulip
I’m keen on tulips and lilies particularly from that record. It’s such a disgrace that they’re so dangerous to cats.
I get gifted them on occasion, I’ve to be tremendous cautious about the place I preserve them. Schooling and consciousness is the important thing right here. You’re doing the correct factor by checking which crops are and aren’t secure in your kitties.
In Abstract – Are Boston Ferns Toxic to Cats?
Now – Boston Ferns aren’t toxic or poisonous to cats.
Whether or not or not you enable your cat to play with the fronds (which most cats can’t resist) is as much as you. It’s simply good to know that there are not any dangers or risks to be involved about.
Houseplants and cats is an usually neglected matter. From talking with comply with cat house owners, it’s an space that lots of people don’t look into in nice element.
Don’t assume your cat isn’t going to lick or chew crops and flowers. And don’t assume that as a result of a plant isn’t poisonous to us, the identical applies to cats.
At all times run a fast examine for every plant it’s a must to be certain it doesn’t pose a poisonous or toxic menace to our curious four-legged felines.