What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much yew was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating yew, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Why these cautions matter
Rich, fatty food is the classic trigger for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that usually needs veterinary treatment rather than rest alone.
Stone-fruit pits and some seeds release cyanide when crushed, and quite apart from that they are a choking and blockage hazard.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat yew?
NO — do not feed. All parts of the yew plant (Taxus spp.) are highly toxic, including the needles, bark, and seeds. The flesh of the berry is not toxic, but the seed inside is deadly. Toxins cause acute cardiac failure, often with no warning symptoms before sudden collapse. Even small amounts can be fatal.
What if my cat already ate yew?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of yew eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If yew was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of yew for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of yew for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have yew?
yew is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than yew for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — Pumpkin (plain) or Rice (cooked) carry none of the risk that yew does, and they work better as an everyday treat.