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.
Sources
cat safety reference
Is Pacific Yew safe for cats?
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
What this means for your cat
Pacific yew is among the most dangerous plants a cat can chew. The taxine A and B alkaloids — concentrated in the needles and seeds — interfere with cardiac conduction, and acute cardiac collapse can occur with little warning.
What to watch for
Tremors, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing are typical. Cats may also seem disoriented or weak before any cardiac signs appear; sudden collapse and death from acute heart failure can occur with no preceding signs at all.
Time window
Onset can be within hours of ingestion, but yew is notorious for sudden cardiac death without much preceding clinical illness, which is why immediate veterinary evaluation is essential.
When to call the vet
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).
First aid at home
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.
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
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.
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.
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