- Metaldehyde — rapid seizures
- 30 min–3 h
- Affects: Nervous system
Why this verdict for cats
Metaldehyde slug bait causes rapid tremors and seizures in cats. There is little time to act — go to a vet immediately.
Warning signs to watch for
- Tremors
- Drooling
- Seizures
⚠ If your cat ate slug & snail bait
Act immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.
- Note how much was eaten and when.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Slug and snail bait is responsible for some of the most severe garden poisonings in dogs, and it is uniquely dangerous because the pellets are deliberately made to be attractive — often bran-based, sometimes molasses-scented — so a dog eats them enthusiastically rather than by accident.
How much is safe?
The active ingredient decides everything. Metaldehyde is the killer: as little as a teaspoon of 3% bait per few kilograms of body weight can be fatal, and dogs have died from raiding a partly used box. Iron phosphate baits, sold as pet-safer alternatives, are far less toxic though large amounts can still cause iron poisoning. Methiocarb is also highly toxic. Check the box before anything else.
What happens if a cat eats too much?
Metaldehyde poisoning is sometimes called 'shake and bake' by vets, which describes it grimly well. Within an hour or two the dog develops anxiety and drooling, then continuous whole-body tremors that do not stop, an unsteady gait, and a body temperature driven dangerously high by all that muscle activity. Seizures follow, and untreated the combination of hyperthermia and prolonged convulsions causes organ damage and death.
⚠ What to do if your cat ate slug & snail bait
This is a drive-now emergency; do not wait for the tremors to develop. Take the packaging and call from the car (ASPCA 888-426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661). Do not attempt to induce vomiting in a dog that is already trembling. With prompt treatment — sedation or anaesthesia to stop the tremors, active cooling, IV fluids and sometimes lipid therapy — many dogs recover fully. The deaths are overwhelmingly the delayed presentations.
⚠️ Worried your pet got into this?
Frequently asked questions
Are the 'pet safe' pellets actually safe?
Iron phosphate baits are genuinely much safer than metaldehyde, but not harmless in quantity. Still store them sealed and out of reach, and still call if your dog eats a lot.
How can I protect slugs-free plants without the risk?
Beer traps, copper tape, crushed eggshell barriers and nematode treatments all avoid the poisoning risk entirely.
More household items for cats
By the CanMyPet Editorial Team · Reviewed against ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Pet Poison Helpline · Last updated July 31, 2026.
Sources
- ASPCA — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- American Kennel Club — Dog Nutrition
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poison List