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
American Yew
Taxus canadensis
American Yew is a low-growing evergreen shrub containing taxine alkaloids that are highly poisonous to most mammals. Ingestion of any part of the plant, especially the needles and seeds, can cause severe systemic reactions.
American YewGround HemlockTaxus canadensis
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Habit
- Spreading 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, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential cardiac arrhythmias.
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
Drooling, vomiting, muscle weakness, dilated pupils, and sudden collapse due to heart failure.
Escalation note
The toxins in this plant can cause rapid onset of severe symptoms. Seek immediate veterinary attention 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
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
The Yew contains taxine, which is a cardiotoxic alkaloid that can cause sudden death in animals.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Taxus canadensis is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub native to North America, known for its high toxicity.
Questions about American Yew
Is American Yew toxic to cats?
Yes, American Yew (Taxus canadensis) is highly toxic to cats. It contains taxine alkaloids that are poisonous to most mammals, and ingestion of any part of the plant — needles, seeds, or bark — is considered a medical emergency.
What symptoms does American Yew cause in cats?
Signs can appear within 30 minutes to a few hours and include muscle tremors, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and labored or rapid breathing. Cats can progress quickly to weakness, dilated pupils, irregular heart rate, collapse, or sudden death — in some reports cardiac collapse occurs with very little warning.
What should I do if my cat ate American Yew?
Go to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately — do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 on the way. There is no safe observation window with this plant.
How quickly is American Yew dangerous to cats?
Extremely quickly. Signs can begin within 30 minutes to a few hours of ingestion, and cases of collapse within 15 minutes have been recorded in monogastric animals. Because there is no safe window to observe and wait, any suspected ingestion requires immediate emergency care.
Is American Yew toxic to dogs?
Yes, American Yew (Taxus canadensis) is highly toxic to dogs. It contains taxine alkaloids in virtually all parts of the plant — needles, seeds, and bark — and even a small ingestion can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of American Yew poisoning in dogs?
Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, muscle weakness, dilated pupils, and sudden collapse due to heart failure. Critically, some dogs skip gastrointestinal signs entirely and progress straight to tremors, difficulty breathing, or sudden collapse — and dogs have been found dead with no observed symptoms beforehand. Absence of signs is not reassurance.
How quickly does American Yew affect dogs after ingestion?
Most signs appear within 30 minutes to a few hours of ingestion; collapse within 15 minutes has been documented. There is no safe observation window — do not wait to see whether your dog develops symptoms.
What should I do if my dog ate American Yew?
Go to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately — do not wait for symptoms. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 on the way. The severity and speed of onset make this a true emergency with no safe wait-and-watch period.
Often compared with
Commonly confused with
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 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 safety verdict
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