Cats & Dogs
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
English Yew
Taxus baccata
English Yew is a highly toxic evergreen conifer containing taxine alkaloids that affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Ingestion of any part of the plant, especially the needles and seeds, is considered a medical emergency.
Common YewEnglish YewEuropean YewTaxus baccata
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Habit
- Evergreen shrub or tree
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, difficulty breathing, and potential collapse.
Escalation note
This plant is extremely dangerous. Ingestion can lead to sudden cardiac failure. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Vomiting, lethargy, muscle tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat.
Escalation note
The toxins in this plant are potent and can be fatal even in small amounts. Immediate veterinary intervention is required if your dog has chewed or ingested any part of the plant.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
The Yew contains taxine, which is a cardiotoxic alkaloid that can cause sudden death.
Kew Plants of the World Online
botanical · 95% reliability
Taxus baccata L. is the accepted scientific name for the English Yew.
Questions about English Yew
Is English Yew toxic to cats?
Yes, English Yew (Taxus baccata) is extremely toxic to cats. It contains taxine alkaloids that attack the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and ingestion of any part — needles, bark, or seeds — is considered a same-hour medical emergency.
What are the symptoms of yew poisoning in cats?
Early signs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and trembling. This can rapidly progress to dilated pupils, weakness or staggering, and laboured or rapid breathing. Because taxines act directly on the heart, a cat can collapse from cardiac arrhythmia before milder GI signs become severe — signs can appear within hours of ingestion.
What should I do if my cat ate English Yew?
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear. Remove your cat from the area, check that it is breathing and acting normally, and do NOT give home antidotes or induce vomiting unless a vet or poison control instructs you to. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to the clinic.
Which parts of the English Yew plant are poisonous to cats?
All parts of the English Yew are dangerous, but the needles and seeds carry the highest concentration of taxine alkaloids. There is no safe portion of this plant — even small ingestions can lead to sudden cardiac failure.
Is English Yew toxic to dogs?
Yes, English Yew (Taxus baccata) is highly toxic to dogs. It contains taxine alkaloids that affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and even a small amount can be fatal. Any suspected ingestion is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
What are the symptoms of yew poisoning in dogs?
Early signs include muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, drooling, and vomiting. As toxicity progresses, dogs may show weakness, dilated pupils, an initially fast then slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, seizures, and coma. Sudden cardiac collapse can occur before milder signs even appear.
What should I do if my dog ate English Yew?
Remove your dog from the plant and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear. Do not induce vomiting or give home antidotes unless a vet or poison control instructs you to. Bring a sample of the plant to the clinic.
How quickly does yew poisoning affect dogs?
Yew toxicity can develop rapidly after ingestion, and sudden cardiac death is possible with little warning. Specific onset timelines are not well documented, which is exactly why Pet Poison Helpline recommends calling for emergency help before any symptoms appear rather than watching and waiting.
Often compared with
Commonly confused with
Same Taxus genus.
Japanese Yew
Taxus sp.
Japanese Yew is an evergreen shrub or tree containing taxine alkaloids that are highly poisonous to most animals. All parts of the plant, including the needles and seeds, are considered toxic if ingested.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same Taxus genus.
Pacific Yew
Taxus brevifolia
The Pacific Yew is an evergreen conifer containing taxine alkaloids that are highly poisonous to most animals. Ingestion of any part of the plant, especially the needles and seeds, can lead to severe systemic distress.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same safety verdict
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