Can Toads in New York State Poison Your Dog?

I couldn’t believe the way our dog’s mouth was foaming after she picked up a large toad in our Western New York backyard.

As a puppy owner, I have been trying to eliminate all of the possible things a curious 6-month-old dog can get into, and honestly, I never considered toads being an issue. But after what happened this week, I had one big question:

Are the toads in New York State backyards poisonous to dogs?

A Beautiful Spring Day Turned Into A Backyard Scare

The sunshine and warmer weather have finally returned to Western New York.

Even though we are still stuck in that typical up-and-down spring forecast pattern, when the nice days show up, it feels incredible to be outside. For those of us with puppies and little kids, a warm afternoon outdoors is definitely a welcome change after what felt like a winter that lasted 10 years.

This week, we were finally able to spend some time outside.

As I was trying to get some yard work done and prepare for all of the usual spring outdoor chores, I looked over and noticed our dog foaming at the mouth. At first, I had no idea what was happening, until I saw a very large toad slowly hopping away.

That’s when panic set in.

Why Dogs Foam At The Mouth After Picking Up A Toad

According to what I found, the type of toads we commonly see in Western New York backyards are not usually deadly or life-threatening to dogs, but they can absolutely cause an immediate and dramatic reaction.

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The toad in our yard, or at least the large one our dog Ruby grabbed,  was likely an Eastern American toad.

These toads release a mild toxin through their skin as a defense mechanism. When a dog picks one up in its mouth, that toxin can create intense drooling, foaming, gagging, and heavy salivation almost instantly.

And that is exactly what happened.

Ruby was foaming at the mouth and salivating tremendously.

Before I even knew whether this was a poisonous toad or not, I quickly grabbed the garden hose and rinsed out the inside of her mouth as best I could. My thought was simple: if I could wash away whatever the toad left behind, maybe it would help.

Thankfully, it did seem to make a difference.

Are Eastern American Toads Dangerous To Dogs In New York State?

The good news is that the Eastern American toad, which is very common across New York State, is generally not toxic enough to kill a healthy dog.

While the secretion from these toads can cause severe mouth irritation, drooling, and discomfort, experts say it usually does not become life-threatening unless a dog is very small, has an allergic reaction, or ingests a large amount.

Still, pet owners should always monitor their dog closely after any encounter.

I kept an eye on Ruby for the next couple of hours to make sure she did not display any serious warning signs of poisoning. Thankfully, within a short time she was back to her normal self, eating fine, moving normally, and acting like nothing had happened.

Needless to say, I was far more shaken up than she was.

Western New York Backyards Are Full Of Curious Critters

This time of year, there are toads, frogs, snakes, salamanders, and all kinds of little critters wandering around our backyards in Western New York.

In fact, our kids absolutely love finding frogs, snakes, and toads.

I always remind them to wash their hands after handling any wildlife, but these little backyard creatures are also a fantastic way to introduce kids to conservation, nature, and the outdoors.

Do you remember being a kid, finding a toad or frog, and making it your pet for the day?

It feels like a classic childhood tradition that never gets old.

Just Be Careful When Wildlife Meets Your Pets

While these backyard visitors are usually harmless and even beneficial, especially since toads help control mosquitoes and insects,  they can still create scary moments when a curious puppy gets involved.

So if your dog grabs a toad this spring in New York State, don’t be shocked if you see excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth. Rinse their mouth out gently, monitor them closely, and call your veterinarian if symptoms worsen or do not improve. Trust me… it is not something you forget very quickly.