Toads secrete venom from their salivary glands, which can cause severe reactions when ingested or mouthed by pets—particularly dogs. Even a brief interaction can result in:
Severe cases may involve:
If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a toad:
Don’t delay if your pet shows any of the following:
These symptoms can progress rapidly and may become life-threatening.
Yes! At all stages of their lifecycle cane toads are poisonous. From eggs to tadpoles to adults, and even dead dried cane toads, the ingestion of their toxin can be fatal, or at least cause serious symptoms.
If you do come across a dead cane toad it is important to dispose of it properly.
If you’re unsure or need help, contact us or reach out to our after-hours emergency hospital contacts for immediate assistance.
Your fast action can save your pet’s life this toad season. Stay safe and stay alert.
As the cane toad is considered a pest and is a serious threat to our ecosystem, wildlife and pets, the RSPCA recommends humanely euthanising once the possibility of being a native frog has been ruled out. There are two methods for euthanising cane toads RSPCA recommends:
For full instructions on how to humanely euthanise a cane toad, please download RSPCAs fact sheet.