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
dog safety reference
Is Japanese Yew safe for dogs?
Taxus sp.
Japanese Yew is an evergreen shrub or tree containing taxine alkaloids that are highly poisonous to most animals. All parts of the plant, including the needles and seeds, are considered toxic if ingested.
Japanese YewTaxusTaxus sp.Yew
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Habit
- Evergreen shrub or tree
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
What this means for your dog
Japanese yew is extremely dangerous to dogs — every part of the plant, including the red berries, contains taxine alkaloids that disrupt cardiac electrical activity. ASPCA explicitly highlights muscular tremors, dyspnea, and seizures as early warning signs in dogs, with sudden cardiac death possible.
What to watch for
Early signs in dogs (per ASPCA): muscular tremors, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and seizures. Other signs: vomiting and sudden collapse from acute heart failure. Severe progression can occur with little warning.
Time window
Exact onset and duration are not well documented; sudden death from acute heart failure is possible.
When to call the vet
Call immediately. Any suspected ingestion of yew is a medical emergency — contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away.
Sources: ASPCA (no home first-aid guidance).
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.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Drooling, vomiting, muscle tremors, seizures, and sudden collapse due to cardiac failure.
Escalation note
This plant is extremely dangerous to dogs. Immediate veterinary intervention is required as the toxins can cause rapid onset of severe systemic distress.
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 Japanese Yew contains taxine alkaloids which are toxic to both cats and dogs.
Kew Plants of the World Online
botanical · 95% reliability
Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees in the family Taxaceae.
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