What should I do if my cat ate Pacific Yew?

Remove any remaining plant material from your cat's mouth, bring a sample to the vet, and go now. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline cautions against unsupervised home emesis, and yew toxicosis demands cardiac monitoring you can't provide at home. Call immediately — this is an emergency on the level of suspected lily exposure. Don't wait for symptoms; observed chewing of leaves, bark, or berries warrants an immediate trip to the vet or a call to ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).

What should I do if my dog ate Pacific Yew?

Remove any remaining plant from your dog's mouth, save a piece for ID, and head to the vet now. Do not induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline lists unsupervised emesis as a common first-aid mistake, and yew exposure needs cardiac monitoring. Treat any chewing on yew foliage, bark, or berries as an emergency. Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or go directly to a vet — don't wait for symptoms to develop.

Pacific Yew — (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie — Photo by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don LoarieiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don LoarieiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Pacific Yew

Q: Is Pacific Yew safe for cats?

Pacific Yew is potentially toxic to cats. This plant is considered highly toxic. Ingestion is a medical emergency; contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.

Q: Is Pacific Yew safe for dogs?

Pacific Yew is potentially toxic to dogs. 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.

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.

Check a list

Pacific YewTaxus brevifoliaWestern Yew

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

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

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

Open source

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

Open source

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. is an accepted species in the Taxaceae family.

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

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

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.