My dog ate snail & slug bait (metaldehyde) — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Causes severe tremors and seizures with very high temperature ('shake and bake').
What to do now
- Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed.
- Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
Causes severe tremors and seizures with very high temperature ('shake and bake').
Symptoms to watch for
Anxiety, tremors, drooling, high temperature, seizures.
When: Within 1-3 hours
⚠️ Iron phosphate baits are lower risk but large amounts can cause iron toxicity.
Frequently asked questions
Is snail & slug bait (metaldehyde) dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Causes severe tremors and seizures with very high temperature ('shake and bake'). Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate snail & slug bait (metaldehyde)?
Anxiety, tremors, drooling, high temperature, seizures.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats snail & slug bait (metaldehyde)?
Within 1-3 hours
Is there anything else to know about snail & slug bait (metaldehyde)?
Iron phosphate baits are lower risk but large amounts can cause iron toxicity.
What should I do if my dog ate snail & slug bait (metaldehyde)?
Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed. Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
No reliable dog-specific threshold is published for home use, so any amount should be discussed with your vet or a poison hotline.
Sources
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: slug bait, snail pellets, metaldehyde · Category: Pest control · Last reviewed 2026-10-14