Is Lady Fern Toxic to Dogs?
Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a fast-growing perennial that grows up to 3 feet tall and wide. The fern has feathery green fronds, and does best in moist, shady areas around the house. Lady fern grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, and can be found growing in forests in the wild as well as in cultivation. Certain elk and bears like to graze on the fern in the wild, but dogs should be discouraged from snacking on the fronds.
Lady fern leaves and rhizomes contain a chemical called filicic acid. Filicic acid is used in treatments for parasites such as tapeworms. In low amounts, it will likely not harm dogs, but large quantities will have a toxic effect. Symptoms of a filicic acid overdose includes convulsions and potentially death. Since it is hard to control the amount of a plant your dog eats once it decides the plant is tasty, it is best to keep the fern away from dogs.
Jill Kokemuller has been writing since 2010, with work published in the "Daily Gate City." She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Kokemuller is an authorized substitute teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa.