What should I do if my cat ate English Yew?

Pet Poison Helpline advises: remove your pet from the area, check that it is breathing and acting normally, and do NOT give home antidotes or induce vomiting without instruction from a vet or poison control. Bring a sample of the plant or a clear photo to the clinic. Call immediately. Any suspected ingestion of yew foliage, bark, or seed is a same-hour emergency — do not wait for symptoms to develop, and do not wait for a callback.

What should I do if my dog ate English Yew?

Per Pet Poison Helpline: remove your dog from the plant, confirm it is breathing and acting normally, do NOT give home antidotes, and do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison control instructs you to. Bring a sample of the plant material with you to the clinic. Call immediately, before symptoms appear. Any quantity of yew chewed by a dog warrants an emergency vet visit or a call to ASPCA Poison Control / Pet Poison Helpline.

English Yew — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman — Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

English Yew

Q: Is English Yew safe for cats?

English Yew is potentially toxic to cats. 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.

Q: Is English Yew safe for dogs?

English Yew is potentially toxic to dogs. 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.

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.

Check a list

Common YewEnglish YewEuropean YewTaxus baccata

Light: Partial shade to full sun
Habit: Evergreen shrub or tree
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted 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

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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

Open source

The Yew contains taxine, which is a cardiotoxic alkaloid that can cause sudden death.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Taxus baccata L. is the accepted scientific name for the English Yew.

cats safety page My cat ate English Yew dogs safety page My dog ate English Yew

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

Other plants with the same verdict

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and vining growth habit. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Dracaena trifasciata is a popular, hardy houseplant known for its stiff, sword-like leaves with striking yellow margins. It is widely appreciated for its air-purifying qualities and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Philodendron

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are popular tropical foliage plants known for their lush, heart-shaped or split leaves. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

The Mauna Loa Peace Lily is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant white spathes and lush foliage. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.