
If your dog has eaten a frog and is now foaming at the mouth, it's essential to act quickly. This can be a sign of a serious condition called toad poisoning, which can be fatal if left untreated.
The toxic secretions from the frog's skin can cause severe symptoms in dogs, including foaming at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms of toad poisoning can appear within 15 minutes of ingestion, and can last for several hours.
If your dog is showing signs of toad poisoning, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Expand your knowledge: Why Is My Female Dog Foaming at the Mouth
Symptoms in Dogs
If your dog has eaten a frog, it's essential to be aware of the symptoms that can occur. Profuse salivation, drooling, and frothing from the mouth are common signs of toad poisoning in dogs.
You may also notice very red and slimy gums, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, disorientation, shivers, and tremors. In severe cases, muscle rigidity or spasms, convulsions or seizures, and a very rapid heart rate and/or heartbeat irregularities can occur.
Here are some initial warning signs of toad poisoning in dogs:
- Profuse foamy salivation
- Head shaking
- Pawing at the mouth
- Retching
- Bright red oral mucous membranes
These symptoms can progress to seizures, difficulty breathing, and even death if left untreated. Early intervention is crucial for a full recovery, so if you suspect your dog has ingested a frog, take them to the vet immediately.
Cane Signs in Dogs
Cane toad poisoning in dogs can be a serious issue. If your dog has ingested a cane toad, you may notice profuse salivation, drooling, and/or frothing from the mouth.
The gums may become very red and slimy. Pawing at the mouth is another common symptom.
Vomiting can occur, and your dog may appear disoriented. Shivers and/or tremors can also be present.
Muscle rigidity or spasms can develop, and in severe cases, convulsions or seizures may occur. A very rapid heart rate and/or heartbeat irregularities can be a sign of distress.
Death can be a fatal outcome of cane toad poisoning.
How Cane Forms

Cane toad poisoning in dogs occurs when a dog bites or licks a toad, causing the toxin to be released from glands behind the neck and stick to the gums and tongue of your pet.
The toxin is rapidly absorbed across the membranes of the mouth, leading to a range of symptoms.
Initially, pets will drool or froth, and potentially develop muscle tremors which progress to seizures and possibly cardiac arrest.
Dogs
Dogs can be affected by toad poisoning if they come into contact with a poisonous toad, such as the Cane Toad or Colorado River Toad.
Symptoms of toad poisoning in dogs can be severe and include profuse salivation, drooling, and frothing from the mouth, as well as very red and slimy gums.
Pawing at the mouth is a common symptom of toad poisoning in dogs, and can be accompanied by vomiting, disorientation, and shivers or tremors.
If your dog is experiencing seizures or convulsions, it's essential to seek veterinary attention immediately, as these can be life-threatening.
The key to treating toad poisoning in dogs is to act quickly and get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Here are some signs of toad poisoning in dogs to look out for:
- Profuse foamy salivation
- Head shaking
- Pawing at the mouth
- Retching
- Bright red oral mucous membranes
Early intervention is crucial for a full recovery, and in some cases, death can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a frog, it's essential to contact your veterinarian for advice, even if it's just a non-poisonous species like a tree frog.
The consequences of your dog eating a poisonous toad can be severe, including seizures, difficulty breathing, and even death, so it's always best to err on the side of caution.
Immediate Signs
If your dog has eaten a frog, you'll want to be on the lookout for some pretty obvious signs.
Increased salivation is one of the first symptoms you might notice, as your dog's body tries to process the toxins.
Foaming at the mouth is also a common sign, as the toxins cause your dog's mouth to produce excess saliva.
Vocalization, or unusual whining or yelping, can be a sign that your dog is uncomfortable or in distress.
Pawing at the face or mouth is another indication that your dog is trying to get rid of the toxins.
Disorientation, stumbling, or circling can also be a sign that your dog is struggling to cope with the toxins.
Seizures are a serious symptom that requires immediate attention.
Difficulty breathing is another sign that your dog needs to see a vet right away.
Here are the immediate signs of toad poisoning in dogs:
- Increased salivation
- Foaming at the mouth
- Vocalization (whimpering, yelping)
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Disorientation, stumbling, or circling
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
Dogs and Frogs
If your dog licks or eats a poisonous frog, they can become very sick. The two main culprits for toad poisoning in dogs in North America are the Cane Toad and the Colorado River Toad.
Symptoms of toad poisoning in dogs include increased salivation, foaming at the mouth, vocalization, pawing at the face or mouth, disorientation, stumbling, or circling, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog has been around frogs, take them to the vet immediately. Early intervention is crucial for a full recovery.
Not all frogs are poisonous to dogs, but some can still irritate their mouth and eyes if licked or ingested. Signs of this irritation may include excessive drooling, pawing at the face, and mild vomiting.
To help your dog if they've licked a frog, try flushing their mouth with clean water for several minutes. Then contact your veterinarian for further advice.
Here are some common backyard frog species that are unlikely to cause serious harm to your dog:
- Tree frogs
However, it's still a good idea to keep an eye on your dog around frogs, as even non-poisonous species can cause some irritation.
General Information
Dogs eating frogs can be a serious issue, and it's essential to know the signs of trouble.
If your dog has ingested a frog, you may see symptoms such as increased salivation, foaming at the mouth, and vocalization. These symptoms can be caused by the toxins secreted by the frog's skin glands.
Some frogs, like the Cane Toad and the Colorado River Toad, are particularly poisonous to dogs and can cause seizures, difficulty breathing, and even death.
Other frogs, like the Tree Frog, are not deadly but can still irritate your dog's mouth and eyes, leading to excessive drooling, pawing at the face, and mild vomiting.
If you suspect your dog has eaten a frog, it's crucial to take them to the vet immediately.
Here are some signs of toad poisoning in dogs:
- Profuse salivation, drooling, and/or frothing from the mouth
- Very red and slimy gums
- Pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Disorientation
- Shivers and/or tremors
- Muscle rigidity or spasms
- Convulsions or seizures
- Very rapid heart rate and/or heartbeat irregularities
- Death
Remember, early intervention is key to a full recovery, so don't hesitate to seek veterinary help if you notice any of these symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs get sick eating frogs?
Dogs can experience gastrointestinal issues from eating frogs, but the risk is generally lower than with toads, which can be toxic to dogs
Why is my dog foaming in her mouth?
Dogs may foam at the mouth due to overexertion, which causes panting and aerates their drool. If your dog has been exercising, it's likely they need a break to prevent this
Is the American toad poisonous to dogs?
No, the American toad is not deadly poisonous to dogs, but its toxin can cause drooling, vomiting, and discomfort if ingested. If your dog encounters a toad, it's best to keep a close eye on them to prevent any potential issues.
Sources
- https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/pet-library/articles-of-interest/cane-toad-poisoning/
- https://sevneurology.com/blog/toad-poisoning-in-dogs
- https://spotpet.com/blog/dog-tips/are-frogs-poisonous-to-dogs
- https://aercmn.com/five-things-you-didnt-know-were-toxic-to-pets/
- https://allpetsvet.com.au/blog/cane-toads-and-our-pets.html
Featured Images: pexels.com