Is English Yew toxic to dogs and cats?
How serious is English Yew for pets?
SEVERE Plant Doctor's data flags English Yew as one of its most serious plants for pets. Treat any suspected ingestion as an emergency and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.
SEVERE: taxine alkaloids can cause sudden death from acute heart failure, sometimes with little warning, and often preceded by tremors, difficulty breathing, vomiting and seizures. Veterinary toxicology sources give a minimum lethal dose in dogs of about 2.3 g of leaves per kg of body weight (roughly an ounce for a 25 lb dog), so chewing on a branch can be enough. Treat any ingestion as an emergency.
Taxus baccata
Also called: Yew.
What makes it toxic
- Taxine A and B
- Volatile oil
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Symptoms to watch for
- Tremors
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Seizures (dogs)
- Sudden death from acute heart failure
What to do if your pet chewed it
- Move the plant out of reach so they cannot take another bite.
- If your pet is alert, gently rinse their mouth and offer a little water.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435, especially if you see drooling, vomiting, swelling, or lethargy.
Pet-safe swaps
The same green look without the toxicity worry. Each of these is non-toxic to both dogs and cats in our data.
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Buy Apollo a treatQuick answers about English Yew
Is English Yew toxic to cats?
Yes, English Yew is toxic to cats. See all 127 plants toxic to cats.
Is English Yew toxic to dogs?
Yes, English Yew is toxic to dogs. See all 124 plants toxic to dogs.
What is English Yew also called?
English Yew (Taxus baccata) is also called Yew.
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Not sure this is the plant you have? Scan it.
Scan your plantAlways confirm with a veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) before assuming safety. This is a household reference, not a substitute for professional guidance in a suspected poisoning.
· Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (lists it as toxic); dvm360 Toxicology Brief: The dangers of yew ingestion; Pet Poison Helpline: Yew
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