Garden
Is Yew toxic to cats and dogs?
Taxus baccata, Taxus species · also called English yew, Japanese yew, common yew
Cats
Highly toxicDogs
Highly toxicYew is one of the most dangerous garden plants for pets. Needles, bark and seeds contain toxins that can stop the heart, sometimes within hours and with few warning signs.
By Maya HartIf your pet chewed it
- This is an emergency.
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems well — heart effects can appear hours later.
- Take a piece of the plant or a photo with you.
Signs to watch for
- Trembling, weakness and wobbliness
- Difficulty breathing
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Collapse or sudden death
What is harmful
- Parts
- All parts except the red fleshy aril around the seed — the seed inside is highly toxic
- Substance
- Taxine alkaloids
The details
Yew is widely used for hedges and topiary, and it is poisonous to people, pets, horses and livestock. Clippings are especially risky: they lie on the ground within easy reach, and wilted yew stays toxic. After trimming, clear every clipping.
There is no antidote. Vets treat poisoning by emptying the stomach and supporting the heart, so speed matters.
Pet-safe alternatives
- Beech hedging
- Hawthorn
- Photinia (red robin)
- Bamboo in a container
Questions owners ask
Is Yew toxic to cats?
Yes — highly toxic to cats. Harmful parts: all parts except the red fleshy aril around the seed — the seed inside is highly toxic.
Is Yew toxic to dogs?
Yes — highly toxic to dogs. Harmful parts: all parts except the red fleshy aril around the seed — the seed inside is highly toxic.
What happens if a pet eats yew?
trembling, weakness and wobbliness, difficulty breathing, slow or irregular heartbeat, vomiting, collapse or sudden death.
What should I do if my pet chewed it?
This is an emergency. Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems well — heart effects can appear hours later. Take a piece of the plant or a photo with you.
What are pet-safe alternatives to yew?
Beech hedging, Hawthorn, Photinia (red robin), Bamboo in a container.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
