Can dogs and cats eat Yew?
Yew — a common hedge and ornamental tree — contains taxines that can cause sudden heart failure. The needles and seeds are toxic; the red berry flesh is not, but the seed inside is.
Why
Taxine alkaloids (cardiotoxic)
Signs to watch for
- trembling
- difficulty breathing
- vomiting
- weakness
- abnormal heart rhythm
- sudden collapse
Good to know
Hedge clippings are a common source. Death can occur within hours with no early warning signs.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
Checked against these sources in October 2026.