Cane Toads and Dogs: Poisoning Signs, First Aid

Why are cane toads dangerous to dogs?

Cane toads are a large, warty, introduced amphibian, up to 20cm long, brought to Australia in 1935 to control agricultural pests. They did not control the pests but spread widely (Queensland Government). Their defence is a toxic milky substance from a large gland on each shoulder. The NSW Government calls cane toads a lethal threat to domestic pets when ingested, and the Queensland Government says they can harm domestic animals if eaten.

Dogs are poisoned in two ways, the NSW Government explains: by biting or mouthing a toad, or by drinking from a water bowl a toad has sat in, because toads need to hydrate often and can leave toxin behind. It calls the idea that cane toads can shoot or spray toxin an urban myth, although the NT Government says the toxin can be sprayed lightly if a toad is handled roughly.

LocalPetFinder is an adoption listings site, not a vet. This page is built from state government pages and published Australian veterinary research, read in November 2026. It is general information, not veterinary advice.

Where are cane toads found in Australia?

The Queensland Government says cane toads are now found in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Each state describes its own picture:

Read 10 November 2026. WA's DBCA publishes a map of the WA cane toad front line (2023 to 2025) on its cane toad management page.

Toads also hitch rides. The WA parks service says they travel by truck, caravan, boat and even plane, so a toad can turn up well outside these areas. If you find one somewhere new, the NSW and WA governments ask you to photograph it and report it, for example through FeralScan ToadScan. Many native frogs look similar, so do not assume.

What are the signs of cane toad poisoning?

Signs usually start at the mouth. The WA Government lists drooling, vomiting, loss of coordination, staggering and seizures. A Brisbane study of 90 dogs with suspected toad poisoning, treated at an emergency clinic over 30 months, recorded how often the main signs appeared (Reeves, 2004):

If your dog shows any of these signs after time in the yard at night in toad country, call a vet and mention cane toads.

What should I do if my dog mouths a cane toad?

Ring a vet first. The phone call costs nothing and the vet can tell you whether to come straight in. While you are getting advice, the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions publishes this first-aid step (Explore Parks WA):

“First aid involves wiping all poison from the animal's mouth with a damp cloth for 10-15 minutes, rinsing the cloth regularly.”

• Go in straight away if your dog is staggering, vomiting, wobbly or seizing, if it is not improving, or if the vet says to.
• Follow the vet's instructions for anything beyond the wipe. This page does not give any other home treatment, on purpose.
• Leave the toad alone while you help your dog. The NSW Government advises wearing gloves if you do need to handle one later.

The outlook is usually good when dogs get help: in the Brisbane study, 96% of the 90 dogs survived, and the WA Government says dog deaths from cane toad poisoning are rare. Those dogs reached a vet. That is the point of acting fast.

Which dogs are most at risk?

In the Brisbane study, small breed dogs made up 76% of cases, and Jack Russell, Silky and Fox Terriers were the most represented breeds (Reeves, 2004). That is one clinic over 30 months, so treat it as a pattern, not a rule. If you have or are adopting a Jack Russell, Australian Silky Terrier or Fox Terrier in toad country, plan the yard around it.

The study also found cases all year round, with the fewest in winter, so toad-proofing is not only a summer job. Any dog can be poisoned; small dogs are simply over-represented in that clinic's cases.

How do I keep my dog away from cane toads?

Prevention is mostly about night-time and water. From the government pages:

• Watch the evenings. The NSW Government tells people to look for toads at night, when they come out. Bring dogs in, or take them out on a lead, after dark in toad areas.
• Lift the water bowl. The NSW Government advises raising your pet's water bowl out of reach of cane toads, because a toad can leave toxin in it.
• Remove breeding spots. The Queensland Government lists removing eggs from frog ponds among its controls, and the NT Government says to check water containers in your garden for cane toad eggs or tadpoles and empty any you are not using.
• Check the yard before letting the dog out at night. Listen too: the NSW Government says the cane toad's call sounds like a running motorbike.
• When travelling north, the WA parks service reminds people to protect pets from toads, and not to carry toads south by accident in the car or caravan.

How do I deal with cane toads humanely?

Confirm it is a cane toad first. The WA Government says not to kill an animal until it has been confirmed as a cane toad, because many native frogs look similar, and DBCA publishes an identification guide. Then follow your state government's method. The NSW Government says cane toads should be treated humanely and its Local Land Services video describes the method it recommends; the Queensland Government page and fact sheet set out the controls it accepts. Wear gloves, keep pets and children away, and report what you find so the spread can be mapped.

Do cane toads affect cats too?

Yes. The NSW Government says cane toads can affect cats and dogs, by biting the toad or by drinking from a bowl it has used. Most of the published advice and research we found is about dogs. Treat the same signs in a cat the same way: call a vet now.

Adopting a dog in cane toad country

Cane toads are a fact of life for dog owners across Queensland and the north, and a little planning goes a long way. Before you bring a rescue dog home, walk the yard at night, raise the water bowl and decide where the dog will sleep. Ask the rescue or foster carer how the dog behaves around frogs, lizards and birds, so you know what to plan for.

Our adopting a dog guide covers the first weeks, dog separation anxiety helps if your dog will sleep inside away from you, and the dog breed quiz can help you think about size and energy before you choose.

Other health guides for new owners

• Paralysis ticks in dogs and cats: the other big Queensland and east coast emergency.
• Snake bite in dogs: signs and the RSPCA first aid.
• Bloat (GDV) in dogs: the deep-chested-dog emergency.
• Dachshund IVDD and health: back problems in long-backed dogs.
• Dog dental care and puppy and kitten vaccinations: everyday prevention.
• Crate training a puppy: a safe spot for a young dog at night.