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 American Yew safe for cats?
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
What this means for your cat
Yew is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can chew. Taxine alkaloids in the needles, bark, and seeds disrupt the heart's electrical signals and can cause sudden cardiac death — sometimes without much warning. Treat any nibble as a true emergency, even if your cat looks fine.
What to watch for
Early signs include muscle tremors, drooling, vomiting, and labored or fast breathing. Cats can progress quickly to weakness, dilated pupils, an irregular heart rate, collapse, or sudden death — in some reports with very little warning before cardiac collapse.
Time window
Signs can appear within 30 minutes to a few hours. Cases of collapse within 15 minutes of ingestion have been recorded in monogastric animals. There is no safe observation window.
When to call the vet
Go to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 on the way. Do not wait to see whether your cat develops symptoms.
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, 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.
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.
Same cat verdict
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