Can dogs and cats eat Slug and snail pellets (metaldehyde)?
Metaldehyde slug pellets cause severe tremors, seizures and dangerously high body temperature, often within an hour.
Why
Metaldehyde
Signs to watch for
- anxiety, restlessness
- drooling
- muscle tremors
- seizures
- very high body temperature
- fast breathing
Good to know
Some countries (e.g. the UK) have banned metaldehyde pellets, but products and old stock may still be around. Iron phosphate pellets are less toxic but can still cause stomach upset; bring the packaging.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
Checked against these sources in October 2026.