Is Yew Toxic to Cats?

Taxus baccata

Yew contains taxine alkaloids that act on the heart, and poisoning can progress very quickly — sometimes within an hour. There is no antidote, which is why prevention matters more with yew than with almost any other plant.

It is everywhere in Britain: churchyards, parkland, clipped hedges and garden boundaries. The red aril around the seed is the least toxic part, but the seed inside it and the needles around it are not.

Which parts are dangerous

• needles
• bark
• seeds

What to watch for in the UK

• Churchyards and older parks are the classic locations — a cat wandering into one is exposed.
• Yew hedges are common garden boundaries.
• Clippings left on the ground after trimming are a real risk.
• Never compost yew clippings where a cat can reach them.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Emergency vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
2. Tell the vet it may be yew; that changes the urgency.
3. Take a cutting or photo if you can do it safely.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).