Is Standish's Golden Yew toxic to cats?

Yes — standish's golden yew is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Taxus baccata is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats (and horses and humans). The toxic principle is taxine alkaloids (taxine A and B), present in the needles, bark, and seeds. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia, and can be rapidly fatal. The fleshy red aril contains minimal taxine but the hard seed within is highly toxic. Extreme caution is required around pets and children.

Taxus baccata is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats (and horses and humans). The toxic principle is taxine alkaloids (taxine A and B), present in the needles, bark, and seeds. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia, and can be rapidly fatal. The fleshy red aril contains minimal taxine but the hard seed within is highly toxic. Extreme caution is required around pets and children. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to standish's golden yew.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Standish's Golden Yew is toxic to dogs as well. See the full standish's golden yew pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.