Slug pellets in dogs (Toxic? + 11 symptoms)
Why is slug pellet poisonous for the dog? Which active ingredients are so harmful and what symptoms can you recognize when you are poisoned? I will show you this and much more in this article. We also sought advice for this article from veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic for this article.
January 8, 2026
7 min read
Updated on August 21, 2025
In case of poisoning with slug pellets should act quickly!
Why is slug pellet toxic for dogs?
The packaging of most slug pellet products states that they are not toxic to pets. This is often misleading and sometimes even wrong.
Slug pellet, as the name suggests, is designed to drive slugs out of the garden. Once they have absorbed the poison, they are doomed to death.
However, this toxin is also dangerous for your pet. If he ingests it, it is also a life-threatening emergency for him. The effect of slug pellets begins many times faster than Rat poison!
The first symptoms appear just 30 to 60 minutes after eating the grain!
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Which active ingredients are toxic?
1. metaldehyde
Metaldehydeis a neurotoxin obtained from sulphuric acid and is contained in slug pellets. Consumption leads to muscle cramps, tachycardia and ultimately death.
The lethal dose of metaldehyde ranges from 0.2 g to 0.5 g per kilogram body weight, depending on the breed. In addition, its effect sets in more quickly than rat poison. Furthermore, there are no specific symptoms that point exclusively to this nerve poison. Only a test in the laboratory can provide one hundred percent clarity here.
Metaldehyde is converted to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid in your dog's body. It does not have a deterrent effect on dogs because it tastes sweet to them. Although the slug pellets must be enriched with bitter substances, this is not always the case. However, this does not necessarily prevent your furry friend from eating the grains anyway.
2. thiodicarb and methiocarb
Thiodicarb and methiocarb are mainly used in crop protection. They are mainly found in maize, cotton and soybeans and combat beetles, butterflies and slugs. They are considered neurotoxins and are also used against agricultural pests.
Dogs become restless and agitated by these substances. This is often associated with painful convulsions. Thiodicarb is produced by a chemical reaction of methomyl and thionyl chloride.
It was not approved by the EU Commission in 2007. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, however, its use is not punishable.
Thiodicarb is classified as possibly carcinogenic, methiocarb only as very toxic. These two ingredients of slug pellets also cause a variety of poisoning symptoms.
3. ferric phosphate
Iron-III-phosphate can be found in pharmaceuticals, ceramics and pesticides, as well as in slug pellets. It also occurs naturally in the soil as the mineral strengite. It is produced by a chemical reaction of iron hydroxide and phosphoric acid.
Although the active ingredient is considered harmless for warm-blooded animals, one should be careful with this statement. It is difficult to dissolve in water and for smaller dogs there is also a risk of suffocation. Most dogs that are poisoned with slug pellets eat it directly. Be it out of curiosity or any other reason. This is especially true for puppies. Due to their low weight, they also have a greater risk of poisoning.
But there are many more ways in which your pet can ingest the poison. For example, if it has simply walked through a bed or field and then licks its paws. He can eat a grain that has fallen between his toes or ingest grains that have already dissolved.
But even if your pet eats a snail that has died from the poisonous grain, the poison will also be transferred to it. Also make sure that your four-legged friend does not drink from any puddles when walking near agricultural fields.
Because of the large amounts of pesticides applied here, this is also a potential avenue for poisoning.
There are no concrete symptoms that explicitly indicate slug pellet poisoning.
Therefore, the indications that point to poisoning are very diverse. Basically, the first manifestations can be seen after 30 to 60 minutes. With smaller amounts possibly a little later. Among them would be:
- Vomiting (with blood) | sometimes poisonous granules can be detected in the vomit
- Irritation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and eyes, salivation
- Irregular heartbeat, palpitations
- Falling body temperature
- Rapid breathing and heavy panting
- Restlessness and agitation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps and severe tremors
- High fever
- Coma
- Unsteady gait, coordination disorders
**IMPORTANT:**Can't positively identify the poison, but can you rule out with certainty that your protégé ingested slug pellets? Then consider other poisons.
Rat poison is also used in attacks on dogs. Insects such as wasps, bumblebees, bees or hornets can also provide a poison injection.
In addition, they also bring in protein foreign to the body, which can cause anaphylactic shock to develop. After walks in the woods, asps vipers, meadow vipers or adder are also not to be ruled out!
1. when it has just happened
If you have observed that your pet has licked or eaten slug pellets, you must react immediately. There is no antidote against the metaldehyde contained in slug pellets.
The only remedy you can use to help is charcoal tablets. Also known as animal charcoal or medicinal charcoal. The sooner your pet is given this activated charcoal, the more effective it will be. The idea is to prevent the toxin from being absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract.
The charcoal tablets bind the toxin to themselves and it is then excreted in the feces. After administration, you must immediately consult a veterinarian.
Here you can find more information about charcoal tablets.
**IMPORTANT:**If you don't have an emergency supply of charcoal tablets in the house, don't bother trying to get some. Instead of taking the risk that you might be unsuccessful and lose important time, go straight to the vet.
2. if you already notice symptoms
If this happens, you can no longer take emergency medical measures. Now your dog must go to the vet as soon as possible!
**During transport, it is important to keep an eye on the vital functions and to keep the patient conscious. If necessary, also resuscitate! IMPORTANT:**DO NOT induce vomiting by manipulation, such as by injecting other substances! The danger can otherwise worsen again by a lot. The airways of your weakened dog could be blocked with the vomit, creating a choking hazard. A mouth sling is also strictly forbidden!
- If available, secure and bring a sample of the poison or poison bait.
- Vomit can also help.
- A fecal or urine sample excreted after toxin ingestion is also helpful.
- Also, during transport, pay attention to how the vital signs change over time. This will help to determine improvement or deterioration later.
The poisonous grain can appear in a variety of colors. Blue, red and green, it is available in many colors.
Should you discover them, then keep your furry companion away from them. If slug pellets are used in the home garden, then your pet has no business being there for the foreseeable future. The risk of poisoning is too great.
- When using slug pellets in the garden, always stow packaging out of reach of children and pets. Locked cabinet etc.
- Otherwise, completely abandon it and do not use it at all.
Slug pellets are not to be trifled with!
So if you see that your pet has eaten slug pellets or he is showing symptoms of poisoning, action must be taken quickly.
For first aid, he now needs charcoal tablets as quickly as possible.
*If you don't have charcoal tablets in the house, take your pet directly to the vet. This will save you time. *
If you notice the symptoms and are not sure what could be the cause, then the vet should also be consulted. Besides slug pellets, rat poison or other toxic substances can also be the trigger.
