08/14/2026
🐸 Naples Dog Owners — Please Read This 🐸
It's cane toad season in Southwest Florida, and if you have a dog, this is one of those posts worth stopping to read.
Cane toads (also called bufo toads) secrete a toxin that can make your dog seriously sick — fast. Even a quick lick or bite is enough to expose your pup, and it can happen before you even see it coming.
If your dog gets a cane toad, here's what to do immediately:
1️⃣ Get your dog away from the toad (gloves on if you have to move it)
2️⃣ Rinse the mouth — water going forward and OUT, never down the throat
3️⃣ Wipe the gums and tongue with a damp cloth
4️⃣ Call your vet, an emergency vet, or ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
5️⃣ Head to the vet right away if you see drooling, red gums, stumbling, disorientation, or a seizure
Why now? Cane toads are most active at dusk, overnight, and after our afternoon storms — basically prime time for evening walks and backyard bathroom breaks.
A few simple habits go a long way: supervise dogs outside after dark, bring water bowls in overnight, and practice a solid "leave it" cue (we've got a training video for that 👉 link in comments).
We put together a full guide with symptoms, local Naples/Bonita Springs/Estero emergency vet numbers, and yard prevention tips — link below. Bookmark it, share it with a fellow dog owner, and let's keep our pups safe out there! 🐾
👉 https://www.naplesdogacademy.com/cane-toad-danger-to-dogs-safety-tips-for-naples-fl