Cats
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.
cat safety reference
Is English Yew safe for cats?
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
What this means for your cat
Cats: this is one of the most dangerous plants you can have around a cat. The ASPCA lists every part of the yew except the red aril as toxic, and the taxine alkaloids it contains can stop the heart with little warning. Even chewing on a few needles is a veterinary emergency.
What to watch for
Earliest signs in cats are drooling, vomiting, and trembling. Watch for dilated pupils, weakness or staggering, and laboured or rapid breathing. Because taxines act on the heart directly, a cat can collapse from arrhythmia before any of the milder GI signs become severe.
Time window
Pet Poison Helpline reports that signs can appear within hours of ingestion and that cardiac collapse and death can occur with little warning. Exact onset for cats is not well documented in the cited sources.
When to call the vet
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.
First aid at home
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.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
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.
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
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.
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