Can Cats Get Sick From Eating Frogs?

If croaking frogs keep you up at night, a small part of you may hope Fluffy takes care of that when she's out hunting prey. You might wonder, though, whether it's OK to let her eat her victims. True frogs are mostly okay, but toads, also considered frogs, are not.

  1. Toads and Frogs

    • Though they look different, and are members of different families, toads are actually frogs. Frogs, "true frogs," are of the Ranidae family, numbering more than 400 species. They have long, strong, webbed hind feet adapted for swimming and leaping. Toads, though technically frogs, are in the bufonidae family and are also referred to as "true toads." These fellows have short hind legs for walking. Frogs and toads, both amphibians, and are generally known as anurans, from the Anura order.

    True Frogs and Cats

    • Unless Fluffy lives in a rain forest or tropical area, she's probably safe from true frog poisoning. The most poisonous frogs, such as poison dart frogs, tend to call Central and South America home. Poisonous frogs warn potential predators with their bright colors that they make dangerous dinners. The brighter the frog the more deadly the poison. Living in North America doesn't give Fluffy free reign, however; some frogs in North America, such as the Cuban tree frog, can secrete irritating toxins that make Fluffy throw up.

    Toads Are Trouble

    • Typically, true toads aren't smooth or slimy, and they prefer drier climates than frogs do. They're also trouble for Fluffy -- potentially big trouble, depending on the type of toad she comes across. The Colorado River toad and the marine toad are the most toxic toads, and they have limited presence in North America, mainly confined to the southwest, Hawaii and Florida. The marine toad is so toxic that merely holding the toad in her mouth can result in fatal consequences for your cat.

    Fluffy Meets a Toad

    • Fluffy probably looks adorable chasing a jumping toad; however, it won't look cute if she ingests one. Pouncing on a toad may prompt it to release its toxins, potentially causing vision problems. If she eats a toxic toad, she'll immediately begin to drool severely and probably make a lot of noise. Other signs of eating a bad toad include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, difficulty breathing, unsteady gait and hyperexcitability. Very poisonous toads, such as the marine toad, can be deadly, so it's important to rinse her mouth immediately with a hose and get her to a vet for treatment.

    Keep Away

    • True toads are omnivorous, so they'll eat anything that suits them, including Fluffy's food if it's left where a hungry toad will find it. In fact, pets often come into contact with toads at the food dish, so it's best to keep Fluffy's food sealed, inside, to minimize the chance of a meetup. Toads are active in the early morning and evening, so it's keep Fluffy in the house for the night. In fact, if you live in a place populated by toads and frogs, Fluffy should give up her outdoor sports for inside fun and games.