Is asparagus fern toxic to cats?
Asparagus setaceus
Yes. Asparagus fern is toxic to cats, graded medium severity by NC State Extension. The agent is sapogenins. Call your vet if a cat has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is sapogenins.
Sapogenins irritate the gut lining; the berries carry considerably more than the foliage.
Vomiting, loose stool and abdominal pain after eating berries.
Worth watching for. Repeated skin contact can cause dermatitis in people who handle it often.
Reported signs
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
- skin irritation with repeated contact
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA — entry for a different species in this genus: Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri
- Toxic to cats and dogs · sapogenins
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Medium · Sapogenins · If the berries are ingested, it can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans and pets. Skin irritation can occur from contact with the plant's sap.
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston fernNephrolepis exaltata | Polypodiaceae | 3–6d | 4/5 |
| Maidenhair fernAdiantum raddianum | Pteridaceae | 2–5d | 5/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for dogs? See is asparagus fern toxic to dogs. Full care details are on the asparagus fern species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri Checked 2026-09-11.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Asparagus setaceus Checked 2026-09-11.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Asparagus setaceus Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-11.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.