Toad poisoning in dogs: Arizona emergency first aid
What to do if your dog gets a toad in its mouth
If this is happening right now
Rinse your dog's mouth now with running water from a hose or sink for several minutes. Point the water into the side of the mouth, aimed from the back toward the front, never straight down the throat. Then go to an emergency vet, even if your dog seems fine.
Contact with a Sonoran Desert toad, also called the Colorado River toad, is an emergency. Serious signs can start within 30 minutes. If you are sure your dog never touched the toad and only chased or barked at it, it is not an emergency.
The toad
It is the largest native toad in the US, up to about 7 inches, with smooth, olive-green to brown skin and a large white wart at each corner of the jaw. It comes out of the ground during the monsoon and is most active early in the morning and at night, especially after summer rain. Look for it around pools, ditches and drains.
Signs of toad poisoning
The first signs start right away: heavy drooling, head shaking, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and red gums. More serious signs include weakness or stumbling, a high temperature, trouble breathing, an irregular heartbeat, tremors and seizures.
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Common questions
Is there an antidote for toad poisoning?
No. Treatment focuses on the heart rhythm and on controlling tremors and seizures.
What attracts toads to a yard?
Pet food and water bowls left outside. During monsoon season, bring your dog's bowls in at night.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Toad Poisoning in Dogs and Cats
- ASPCA, Trouble with Toads, June 2019
- Pet Poison Helpline, Dogs and Poisonous Toads in Arizona
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Sonoran Desert Toad
- Pima County Public Library, Sonoran Desert Toads and Dogs
About this page. Written for Sonoran Desert conditions and reviewed by a veterinarian at this practice. Last reviewed September 11, 2026.
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