My Dog Ate a Bullfrog What Should I Do?

Do you have a backyard pond that attracts frogs? Some people love the sound of frogs singing at night! What’s more, frogs are great for eating insects and other pests! But what happens if a dog eats a bullfrog?

Has your dog eaten a bullfrog? Are you worried the bullfrog will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.

We’ve put together some information about bullfrogs and whether they can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!

What is a Bullfrog?

The bullfrog is a large frog found in part of North America, particularly in the eastern part of the country. They usually live near swamps, ponds, and lakes. They have also been known to live near backyard ponds. Bullfrogs get their name from the sound the male makes during mating season. It sounds like a bull bellowing!

Bullfrogs have a huge appetite and will eat just about anything that fits in their mouths! This can include other amphibians, small mammals, and insects.

What happens if a dog eats a bullfrog? Can the bullfrog make the dog sick?

Bullfrogs & Dogs

The good news is that bullfrogs are not toxic to dogs. So, your dog may safely enjoy his frog snack! However, because these frogs are large, they’re sometimes mixed up with toads, or vice versa. If you know for sure your dog has eaten a frog, you probably don’t need to worry.

On the other hand, if your dog has eaten a toad, this is a problem. The reason is that toads exude a toxin through their skin to ward off predators. This toxin can make a dog sick.

Symptoms of Toad Ingestion in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten a toad:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stumbling
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Abnormal eye movements
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased or decreased heart rate
• Abnormal heart rhythms

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. Don’t wait to see if your dog’s symptoms improve or worsen. He needs medical treatment now.

At the vet’s, they will treat your dog with IV fluids and other medications to treat his symptoms. And sometimes, emergency surgery may need to be done to remove the toad from the dog’s system.

The best prognosis is for dogs that receive prompt medical treatment. Toad toxin can kill, so be sure to get your fur baby to the vet ASAP. His life depends on it!