Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Yew - what should I do?
Taxus spp.
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Tremors, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential cardiac failure.
Escalation note
Ingestion is considered a medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and surroundings and bring a sample (or a clear photo of the shrub and berries) for identification. Do not induce vomiting at home and do not give activated charcoal without veterinary direction — call ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and follow their instructions while you transport your cat.
What to watch for
Watch for drooling, vomiting, and trembling first. Cardiac and respiratory signs follow: a weak or irregular pulse, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, weakness, and collapse. In severe cases the first sign is sudden death — onset is rapid and progression can be steep.
Time window
Signs (and in worst cases, death) can occur within minutes to several hours of ingestion. Some cases have been reported with symptoms appearing several days after exposure, so monitoring should continue beyond the first day.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Any suspected yew ingestion in a cat is a drive-to-the-ER emergency. Phone ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) en route — do not wait to see whether symptoms develop.
What this means for your cat
Yew is one of the most dangerous shrubs a cat can encounter. All parts of the plant except the red berry flesh contain taxine A and B alkaloids, which block sodium and calcium channels in heart muscle and can cause fatal arrhythmias with very little chewing. Cats often nibble out of curiosity, so even a small encounter is a same-hour emergency.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.