Australia is home to many fascinating — and sometimes dangerous — plants and creatures. For curious pets, this can mean trouble. Whether it’s a garden plant or an uninvited toad in the yard, accidental encounters can lead to life-threatening emergencies.

If your dog or cat ate a cockroach, licked a toad, or brushed past a toxic plant, it’s essential to act fast. Here’s a guide to the most common poisonous plants and animals for dogs and cats, what signs to look for, and when to call your emergency vet.

Poisonous plants for dogs and cats

Lilies (especially dangerous for cats)

• Even licking the pollen or drinking water from a vase can cause acute kidney failure in cats.
• Signs: vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, increased thirst, and urination changes.

Cycads (e.g. Sago Palms)

• All parts are toxic, especially seeds. Ingestion can cause liver failure in dogs and cats.
• Signs: vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, seizures.

Other plants toxic to dogs and cats:

• Oleander
• Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
• Azaleas and rhododendrons
• Tulips and daffodils (bulbs especially)
• Autumn crocus

Always assume unknown plants may be toxic and supervise pets in new environments.

Poisonous animals for pets

Toads (e.g. cane toads)

Toads secrete a toxin through their skin that can be fatal to pets who lick or bite them.

• Signs: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, seizures, collapse.
• Immediate action: rinse the mouth gently with water (wiping gums with a wet cloth), and call your emergency vet.

Snakes

Snake bites on dogs and cats can be rapidly fatal without antivenom, and the clinical signs can vary depending on the species involved.

Some snake venoms cause neurotoxicity, leading to progressive paralysis, while others cause coagulopathy (a clotting disorder), resulting in internal bleeding. In some cases, both effects occur together. Common signs include: sudden collapse (often followed by apparent recovery), vomiting, dilated pupils, weakness or paralysis, bleeding (from the nose, gums, or in urine), and respiratory distress.

Here are the most dangerous snakes in Australia for cats and dogs:

• Eastern brown snake – common in suburban areas; causes coagulopathy and neurotoxicity.
• Tiger snake – found in coastal and wetland regions; causes neurotoxicity, coagulopathy, and muscle breakdown.
• Red-bellied black snake – venom is less potent but still dangerous; may cause muscle damage and clotting issues.
• Death adder – highly neurotoxic; can cause rapid paralysis.

If you suspect a snake bite — even if your pet seems fine — it’s critical to get to your emergency vet as quickly as possible. Early treatment with anti-venom gives the best chance of survival.

Spiders, bees, and insects

While most stings and bites are mild, some pets can suffer allergic reactions or be envenomated. Watch for swelling, pain at the site, vomiting, weakness, or collapse.

Cockroaches

Generally not toxic themselves, but if your dog or cat ate a cockroach, they could:

• Develop gastrointestinal upset
• Be exposed to pesticide residues
• Risk of ingesting bacteria or parasites

Mild cases may resolve on their own, but if your pet vomits, seems unwell, or if the cockroach has been baited or sprayed, contact your emergency vet.