Cane Toads and Dogs: What Every Florida Pet Parent Should Know

We have learned this one the hard way, twice.

We once had a Jack Russell named Lucky who nearly died after biting a toad. By the time we found him, he was already seizing and foaming at the mouth. His pupils kept flipping nonstop: one would open while the other closed, then they'd switch. We rushed him to the vet, who put him on an IV, gave him activated charcoal and kept him overnight. He made it, but he never stopped looking for toads.

Just recently, Sky, our Border Collie, bit one too. The toad in this post's photo is the one she bit. We rinsed the toxin forward and out of her mouth with fresh water for at least ten minutes, then wiped her gums and tongue with a dish towel. She is fine. We were lucky. Not every dog is.

If you live in Florida, toads are not a rare backyard surprise. They are part of the landscape. Here is what every pet parent should know before the next one hops across the yard.

Why toads are so dangerous to dogs

The big threat in Florida is the cane toad, also called the bufo toad. It is not native, and it is common in yards across central and South Florida. When a cane toad feels threatened, glands on its back and behind its eyes release a milky toxin.

Dogs get poisoned by biting, licking, carrying or eating a toad. The toxin absorbs fast through the gums, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) warns it can kill a pet in as little as 15 minutes without treatment.

A few things raise the risk:

• Size. The smaller the dog, the less toxin it takes to do serious harm.
• Water bowls. Toads sit in outdoor water bowls, and a dog can be exposed just by drinking from one.
• Night and rain. Cane toads are most active after dark and after rain, and they breed year-round in standing water, canals and ditches.

How to tell a cane toad from a native toad

Florida also has native toads, like the southern toad, which are much less dangerous. FWC's quick check:

• Size: cane toads run about 6 to 9 inches long. Southern toads top out around 3 to 4 inches. UF/IFAS says almost any toad over 4 inches in Florida is a cane toad.
• Head: southern toads have raised ridges above the eyes. Cane toads have a smooth head.
• Glands: cane toads have large, triangular glands behind the eyes that slope toward the shoulders. Southern toads have small, oval ones.

Can't tell which one your dog got? Treat it as an emergency anyway. You will not have time to look it up.

Signs of toad poisoning

Symptoms usually start within minutes:

• Heavy drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Brick-red gums
• Pawing at the face, head shaking or crying
• Vomiting
• Stumbling, confusion or frantic behavior
• Seizures or collapse

What to do right now

1. Get the toxin out of the mouth. Tilt your dog's head down and run a gentle stream of water into the side of the mouth so it flows out the front, never down the throat. FWC says to rinse for 10 minutes. Keep the flow low: water that goes down the throat can be breathed into the lungs.
2. Wipe the gums and tongue. Use a damp cloth or dish towel to wipe the inside of the lips, cheeks, gums and tongue. Rinse the cloth between wipes.
3. Call your vet or an emergency vet right away, even if your dog seems fine. There is no home antidote. Dogs treated early tend to recover much better.
4. If your dog is having a seizure, collapses or struggles to breathe, skip the call and go.

Rinsing worked for Sky, and we are grateful. But rinsing is the first step, not the whole fix.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435, available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, available 24/7. A consultation fee may apply.

Save your vet's number and the nearest emergency vet's number in your phone today, before you need them.

How to lower the risk at home

• Bring food and water bowls inside at night, or feed pets indoors. Pet food draws toads in.
• Pick up food scraps and dog waste in the yard.
• Use a flashlight on night walks, and check the yard before letting your dog out after dark.
• Cut down hiding spots: keep grass short, clear brush piles and clutter, trim the bottoms of shrubs, and fill holes around the house.
• Learn what a cane toad looks like so you spot it before your dog does.

If cane toads keep showing up on your property, FWC's cane toad page covers safe removal, and a licensed wildlife trapper can help. Captured cane toads cannot legally be relocated and released.

The bottom line

A curious dog and a slow toad is a bad mix, and it can go wrong in minutes. Know the signs, know the first two steps, and get to the vet fast.

Related: Foods That Are Toxic to Pets: What to Know Before Feeding

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you think your pet has bitten, licked or eaten a toad, call your veterinarian or an emergency vet right away.