My Dog Ate a Frog. Should I Be Worried?

A discussion about frogs is enough to send shivers down some of our spines. Other people may be welcoming to these amphibians, but some of us would rather keep our distance. So, what should you do if your dog ate a frog?

Dogs are curious pets, and if they spot a frog, there is a high chance they will give chase. If they catch it, they are likely to feed on it. Snacking on the frog can lead to several issues, depending on the species.

An in-depth look at dogs eating frogs will answer any questions you have on this matter.

Are Frogs Safe For Dogs?

We weigh several factors when discussing the safety of dogs eating frogs. Where does it come from? Is it cooked? Was it alive? For your canine’s well-being, it should not eat free-roaming frogs. Nevertheless, there are exceptions that we will look at.

Frog Legs For Dogs

If you are into exotic eating, you have probably encountered frog legs, a French cuisine delicacy. Cultures in different parts of the world also favor frog legs, such as parts of East and Southeast Asia, Spain, Portugal, and even the Southern USA. Most canines enjoy frog legs due to their gentle texture and amazing taste. As the cliché goes, frog meat tastes like chicken, and dogs love chicken parts.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Frog Legs?

Raw frog legs are ideal for dogs. The bones are firm and hardly splinter, which is common in cooked meat. Moreover, raw frog legs for dogs are readily available in some pet food stores.

Benefits Of Frog Meat For Dogs

A well-prepared dish of frog legs will offer plenty of nutrients to your pup. It is lean meat with low-fat content, making it an excellent source of proteins for dogs with heart problems or weight issues.

Frog meat is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for brain and eye development in puppies. This nutrient has anti-inflammatory properties, and according to research, it will improve the condition of canines with osteoarthritis. Moreover, omega-3 is a great immune booster and will keep diseases at bay.

Frog legs are also rich in vitamin A. Your pup needs this vitamin for good eyesight, brain development, healthy bones, and a robust immune system. Other vitamins present in frog meat are B1, B2, B12, B6, C, D, and K.

Minerals in this lean meat include potassium, sodium, iron, copper, phosphorus, and manganese. Your dog needs these minerals for various physiological processes.

Many pet experts recommend frog legs for dogs with allergies. It is hypoallergenic and, coupled with its anti-inflammatory properties, offers relief from allergies and skin infections.

Preparing Frog Meat For Dogs

Your dogs can eat raw frog legs straight from the pet food store. It is the best way to serve them, especially for grown canines. Alternatively, you can add the meat to your pup’s raw food. It is a healthy dish, particularly if you want your canine to have a decent protein serving.

You can mix or grind frog meat if your dog has dental issues or developing teeth. In the grinder, you can add veggies, like carrots and squash, which are nutritious and safe for dogs to eat.

You may want to remove the bones for cooked meat, as they may splinter and injure your canine. You can use the bones to prepare bone broth.

Dangers Of Dogs Eating Random Frogs

So far, frog meat appears to be a great addition to your dog’s diet. It is safe, as long as you get it from a legit store. Furthermore, this lean meat is hypoallergenic, meaning dogs can hardly be allergic to it. However, things might get out of hand if your doggo goes on a solo hunting spree and eats a frog or toad.

The following are some risks of dogs eating a random frog or toad.

Lungworm Infestation

Your dog can get lungworms from contacting a frog or toad. Lungworms are parasitic nematodes that target the lungs of vertebrates, including dogs. Vectors and hosts of this parasite include snails, slugs, frogs, toads, dogs, pigs, and cattle.

As the respiratory system is the target of lungworms, they can cause issues like bronchitis and pneumonia. The following are signs of lungworm infestation.

• Coughing, which may include blood
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• General body weakness
• Breathing difficulties and restlessness
• Anemia

Be keen on these signs, and contact your vet if they persist. Moreover, you should handle your dog with care as it may pass the parasite to your household via coughing and fecal matter. The good thing is that the parasitic condition is treatable and easy to manage if you act fast.

A Case Of Salmonella

Reptiles and amphibians, like frogs and toads, are salmonella vectors. Your dog eating the amphibians can lead to a case of salmonella.

Below are symptoms of salmonella infection in canines.

• Fever
• Breathing difficulties
• A hastened heart rate
• Convulsions and dilated pupils
• Red gums
• Poor coordination
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain

You should contact your doctor if you suspect your doggo has a salmonella infection. Prompt attention will prevent a bout of salmonella in your household.

Poisoning

Your dog risks poisoning by eating frogs. Few frog species are poisonous; as such, you do not have to worry about your dog being poisoned by a frog. Nonetheless, some species mostly found in Central and South America are very toxic. A touch is enough to result in a fatality.

Most toad species are poisonous. They secrete toxic substances from their skin which can harm your furry friend. You need to know the differences between a toad and a frog to know what you are dealing with.

A frog is small and has smooth skin, whereas a toad is huge and has rough leathery skin that may have warts. Most poisonous frogs have bright colors to warn predators against coming close. Their toxins are potent, explaining their prominent use in hunting darts among locals.

Toad Poisoning

A bite or lick of a toad causes it to release toxins from its skin. Most of the time, these toxins are not fatal. They lead to mild reactions like foaming in the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The toxins have a foul taste or smell that will repel your pup away. Some dogs will react by voluntary coughing and sneezing or rubbing their mouths.

Toad species like the giant toad and Colorado River toad are highly toxic. An encounter with your dog may bring up symptoms like irregular heart rhythms, difficulty breathing, and seizures. In severe cases, it may lead to death. You need to act fast by calling a veterinarian before things go overboard.

The effect of the poison varies from dog to dog. Large and healthy dogs can withstand toxicity better than small dogs, sick dogs, or puppies.

What To Do When Your Dog Eats A Frog?

Imagine your doggo coming over to you happily, but perched between its jaws is a frog. Such a situation calls for calm. Gently remove the frog from your dog’s mouth. Do not be aggressive; your dog may act out and make the situation more challenging.

You might want to have the frog around for identification in case it is toxic. You may put it in a jar or a similar object. Take photos if you do not want to handle the amphibian. Also, you must be careful when handling the frog to avoid toxicity.

Follow up by washing your dog’s mouth with clean water. Do not squirt water into its mouth, as you may choke it or push the toxins further into its body. Use a wet cloth and tenderly wipe your pup’s mouth. You may notice toxins in your dog’s mouth by their sticky nature.

Moreover, you need to note all your dog’s symptoms, which you will share with the vet.

How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Frogs?

Seeing the effects of your dog eating a frog or toad in the wild, it is wise to prevent such a situation. You can resort to various measures of keeping the amphibians away from your compound, like ensuring there is no stagnant water. Such water bodies are breeding grounds for frogs and toads. You should also clear away bushes and keep your grass short; bushy areas are perfect hiding spots for toads.

You must be extra vigilant during the toad breeding season, from March to September. Additionally, be vigilant after a downpour, at night and dawn, when frogs and toads are active.

Behavioral training is also helpful. Training instills discipline in your pup; thus, it may overcome its hunting instinct or playful urge when it spots a toad or frog.

Related Questions

Why Do Dogs Eat Frogs?

Your dog will eat frogs due to many reasons. Canines are hunters by design and charge at anything that looks like food. Sometimes, the target is a frog, which ends up in their mouths if caught.

Other times, your dog may go after frogs due to their playful and curious nature. To them, the frog is like a toy, and they want to join in on the fun, which can sometimes be fatal.

What Will Happen After My Dog Eats a Frog?

It depends on the frog it ate. If it is the one made for the table like frog legs, nothing terrible will happen to it unless the meat is rotten, which may cause tummy upsets. On the other hand, if it is a random frog hopping in your yard, things can go wrong in many ways.

If you are lucky, the frog won’t be toxic or harbor lungworms, salmonella, or other disease-causing organisms. On the contrary, your dog may fall sick, showing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, irregular heartbeats, and lethargy. A visit to your pet doctor may prevent the situation from becoming unmanageable.

Why is It Bad for Dogs to Play with Toads?

Toads are laden with toxins, which they secrete from their skins when attacked or feel threatened. Your dog may want to play with toads, amused by their hopping, thinking it is a toy. Contact with toads may be fatal, depending on the species.

If your dog plays with a regular toad, it may show mild symptoms like frothing, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, contact with highly poisonous species like the cane and Colorado River toad can be fatal, even resulting in death.

Final Words

Your dog eating a frog can be panic-inducing news, depending on the species. This article teaches that your dog should only eat frog legs from pet food shops. The frog legs are healthy, as they mainly come from non-toxic species.

You should act fast if your doggo eats a random frog or its larger cousin, the toad, roaming in your compound. They may be vectors of parasites like lungworms or salmonella, which can spread to your household. Do your best to prevent your furry friend from eating such frogs and toads, as the outcome can be ugly.