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
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.
Pacific YewTaxus brevifoliaWestern Yew
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Habit
- Evergreen tree or shrub
- Care
- Low
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
Tremors, difficulty breathing, drooling, vomiting, and potential cardiac collapse.
Escalation note
This plant is considered highly toxic. Ingestion is a medical emergency; contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Muscle weakness, dilated pupils, collapse, irregular heartbeat, and gastrointestinal distress.
Escalation note
The entire plant is toxic and can be fatal if ingested. Seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your dog has consumed any portion of this 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
Pacific Yew is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of taxine alkaloids.
Kew Plants of the World Online
botanical · 95% reliability
Taxus brevifolia Nutt. is an accepted species in the Taxaceae family.
Questions about Pacific Yew
Is Pacific Yew toxic to cats?
Yes, Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) is highly toxic to cats. It contains taxine alkaloids that can cause severe systemic distress, and ingestion of any part — needles, seeds, or bark — is considered a medical emergency.
What are the symptoms of yew poisoning in cats?
Symptoms include tremors, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Cats may also appear disoriented or weak before cardiac signs appear — and yew is notorious for causing sudden cardiac death with little or no preceding illness.
What should I do if my cat ate Pacific Yew?
Remove any remaining plant material from your cat's mouth, collect a sample to bring with you, and go to a veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home — yew toxicosis requires cardiac monitoring that can only be provided in a clinical setting. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 on the way.
How quickly does yew poisoning affect cats?
Onset can occur within hours of ingestion, but do not wait for symptoms to appear — yew can cause sudden cardiac death with no warning signs. Even observed chewing of leaves, bark, or berries warrants an immediate vet visit.
Is Pacific Yew toxic to dogs?
Yes, Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) is highly toxic to dogs. The entire plant contains taxine alkaloids and is considered potentially fatal — treat any ingestion as a veterinary emergency.
What symptoms will my dog show after eating Pacific Yew?
Symptoms include muscle weakness, dilated pupils, tremors, vomiting, drooling, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, and collapse. Seizures can occur, and acute heart failure may strike suddenly — sometimes as the first visible sign — which is why yew poisoning is considered especially dangerous.
What should I do if my dog ate Pacific Yew?
Remove any remaining plant from your dog's mouth, save a piece for identification, and go to a vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting at home — unsupervised emesis is a common first-aid mistake with yew, and your dog needs cardiac monitoring. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 on the way.
How quickly does Pacific Yew poisoning affect dogs?
Onset can occur within hours of ingestion, but Pacific Yew is notorious for causing sudden cardiac death with little preceding illness. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — even a dog that seems fine after chewing yew foliage, bark, or berries needs immediate veterinary evaluation.
Often compared with
Commonly confused with
Same Taxus genus.
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.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same Taxus genus.
Yew
Taxus spp.
Yew is a genus of evergreen conifers known for their high toxicity due to the presence of taxine alkaloids. All parts of the plant, including needles and seeds, are considered dangerous if ingested.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Same safety verdict
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