Are slug pellets toxic to dogs?
Yes. Slug and snail pellets containing metaldehyde cause severe tremors, seizures and a dangerously high temperature in dogs, often within an hour, and there is no antidote. Pellets based on iron phosphate are much less toxic but can still cause illness in larger amounts. Go to a vet now and take the packet: the active ingredient decides how serious this is.
General information, not veterinary advice. If your pet may have eaten this, contact a vet now; do not wait for signs.
What to do right now
- Go to a vet or emergency clinic now, without waiting for signs
- Take the packet, or photograph the active ingredient on the label
- Estimate how much is missing and when your dog could have eaten it
- Keep your dog calm, quiet and cool on the way
- Do not try to make your dog sick at home
Go to an emergency clinic now if
- Your dog ate any slug or snail pellets and you do not know the ingredient
- The pellets contain metaldehyde
- Twitching, trembling or shaking
- Panting, drooling, restlessness or a hot body
- Wobbling, a seizure or collapse
Who to call
Your own vet first. If they are closed, the nearest emergency or out-of-hours clinic.
In the United States
Both answer 24 hours a day and may charge a consultation fee.
Signs to watch for
| Sign | Usually starts |
|---|---|
| Drooling, vomiting | Minutes to 3 hours |
| Anxiety, restlessness, panting | Minutes to 3 hours |
| Muscle tremors, twitching | 30 minutes to 6 hours |
| Very high body temperature | 30 minutes to 6 hours |
| Wobbling, continuous seizures | Hours |
| Liver damage in some survivors | 2-3 days |
Why are slug pellets so dangerous to dogs?
Metaldehyde is a molluscicide, a chemical that kills slugs and snails, and the Merck Veterinary Manual describes it as the active ingredient in over 80% of slug and snail baits worldwide. In dogs it overexcites the nervous system, causing tremors and seizures, and the constant muscle activity drives body temperature dangerously high, often above 41°C. Pellets often contain bran or molasses to attract slugs, which also makes them tasty to dogs.
Which slug pellets are dangerous: metaldehyde or iron phosphate?
The active ingredient printed on the packet decides the risk. Metaldehyde pellets are the dangerous ones; iron phosphate (ferric phosphate) pellets, often sold as safer for pets and wildlife, are much less toxic but are not harmless.
| Active ingredient | Risk to dogs | Typical problem |
|---|---|---|
| Metaldehyde | High: emergency | Tremors, seizures, overheating within hours |
| Iron phosphate or other iron-based baits | Lower, but not zero | Stomach upset; iron poisoning in large amounts |
VCA notes that iron-based baits need much larger amounts to poison a dog, but large exposures can cause significant stomach and gut signs and organ damage. Always read the label rather than relying on the brand or colour.
Are metaldehyde slug pellets still sold?
That depends on where you live. In Great Britain, the government announced in September 2020 that outdoor use of metaldehyde would be phased out by 31 March 2022, and it has been illegal to use outdoors since then; ferric phosphate products were named as the alternative. Old boxes still sit in many garden sheds. In the United States, home-garden baits typically contain 2 to 4% metaldehyde and remain on sale. Rules differ from country to country, so check the label wherever you are.
How much metaldehyde is dangerous for a dog?
Less than many owners expect. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives a lethal dose for dogs of roughly 210 to 600 mg of metaldehyde per kg. At 3% strength, a 10 kg dog would need about 70 g of pellets to reach the lower figure, and an amount that does not kill can still cause severe signs. Because you rarely know how much was eaten, vets treat any metaldehyde ingestion as an emergency.
What will the vet do?
There is no antidote, so treatment focuses on removing the poison and controlling the signs. If your dog is still alert and the pellets were eaten recently, the vet may make it vomit and give activated charcoal. Dogs with signs need medicine to stop tremors and seizures, active cooling, intravenous fluids and close monitoring. Merck reports that dogs treated quickly in the first 24 hours usually recover within two to three days, and in one study 81% of dogs survived. Some dogs develop liver damage two to three days later, so the vet may recheck blood tests.
How do I keep my dog safe from slug pellets?
Use pet-safer methods such as barriers, beer traps or hand-picking, and keep any pellets sealed on a high shelf. Dispose of old metaldehyde stock through your local council rather than using it up. Keep your dog on a lead near allotments and other people's gardens. Pativo treats slug pellets as an emergency in every species, as described on the emergency signs page.
Questions owners ask
Are 'pet-friendly' iron phosphate slug pellets safe for dogs?
They are much safer than metaldehyde, but not harmless. A dog that eats a lot can get vomiting, diarrhoea and, in larger amounts, iron poisoning, so call your vet with the packet.
Are metaldehyde slug pellets still sold?
In Great Britain, outdoor use has been banned since 1 April 2022, but old stock still turns up in sheds. Metaldehyde baits are still sold elsewhere, for example in the United States.
Why is it called 'shake and bake'?
Vets use the nickname for metaldehyde poisoning because of the severe tremors ('shake') and the dangerously high body temperature they cause ('bake').
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Metaldehyde Poisoning in Animals
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Metaldehyde Toxicity (Slug Bait Poisoning)
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Summer Toxins to Avoid with Your Pet
- GOV.UK: Outdoor use of metaldehyde to be banned to protect wildlife
Checked against the sources listed on this page. How we write and check these pages