Toads and Your Pet

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:

• Bright red slimy gums 
• Drooling and foaming of the mouth
• Retching or vomiting
• Pawing at the mouth
• Dilated pupils
   

Severe cases may involve:

• Disorientation, wobbly gait and collapse
• Panting and difficulty breathing 
• Seizures and elevated body temperature
• Irregular heart rhythms 
• Death, if untreated
   

If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a toad:

1. Wipe their mouth and gums thoroughly using a damp cloth to remove any residual venom.
2. Rinse the cloth between wipes to avoid spreading the toxin. 
3. Do NOT hose inside their mouth – it can lead to inhalation, pneumonia, or even water toxicity.
4. Monitor for symptoms, and seek immediate veterinary care if your pet shows any signs of distress.
    

Don’t delay if your pet shows any of the following:

• Excessive drooling or vomiting 
• Disorientation or collapsing
• Seizures
• Abnormal heart rate or breathing
   

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:

• Eugenol
  The chemical Eugenol, found in the product Croaked, when applied directly to cane toads kills them safely, quickly, and humanly.
• Stepped Hypothermia
  This is the process of placing the cane toad into a refrigerator for a period of time before moving it into a freezer, which will effectively kill the cane toad painlessly.

For full instructions on how to humanely euthanise a cane toad, please download RSPCAs fact sheet.