Dogs explore with their nose, mouth, and paws. That is why they often get into trouble before we even realize there is a problem. In Florida, danger can be in your backyard, on a walking trail, near a pond, at the beach, or even around your patio at night.
Knowing what to watch for can help you avoid a serious emergency.
Venomous Snakes
Florida has several venomous snakes. These include rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and copperheads. Dogs are often bitten when they sniff brush, step near a snake, or try to investigate it.
A snake bite can cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Weakness
- Shock
- Severe tissue damage
Do
- Move your dog away from the snake
- Keep your dog calm and still
- Carry your dog if you can
- Go to an emergency vet right away
- Take off a collar or harness if swelling may happen around the neck
Don’t Do
- Do not cut the bite
- Do not suck out venom
- Do not use ice
- Do not use a tourniquet
- Do not wait to see what happens
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake
Cane Toads
Cane toads are one of the biggest dangers to dogs in Florida. They release a strong toxin through their skin. If a dog licks, mouths, or bites one, the toxin can make the dog very sick very fast.
You may see cane toads:
- In yards
- Near porches and patios
- Around outdoor lights
- Near pools
- After rain
- At night
Signs of exposure can include:
- Heavy drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Bright red gums
- Shaking
- Confusion
- Seizures
Do
- Rinse your dog’s mouth right away with running water
- Point the head downward so water runs out, not down the throat
- Wipe the mouth and gums if you can do it safely
- Go to a vet right away
Don’t Do
- Do not wait to flush the mouth
- Do not force water down the throat
- Do not wait at home if your dog seems weak, confused, or starts shaking
Alligators
Alligators live in many Florida lakes, canals, ponds, and retention areas. Dogs are at risk near the edge of the water. Small and medium dogs can look like prey.
Do not assume water is safe just because it is in a neighborhood.
Do
- Get your dog away from the water and to safety
- Use firm pressure to stop bleeding
- Wrap wounds with a clean cloth if you have one
- Keep your dog as calm as possible
- Go to an emergency vet right away
Don’t Do
- Do not spend time cleaning deep wounds before leaving
- Do not assume small holes in the skin are minor
- Do not delay care if your dog seems alert
Spiders
Some spiders in Florida can hurt dogs, including widow spiders. Dogs may get bitten in garages, sheds, woodpiles, gardens, and outdoor storage areas.
Spider bites may cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- Shaking
- Lethargy
Do
- Move your dog away from the area
- Stop your dog from licking or chewing the bite
- Call your vet
- Use a cool compress if your vet says it is okay
- Watch for worsening signs
Don’t Do
- Do not use human creams or medicines unless your vet says to
- Do not ignore the bite because it looks small
- Do not wait if your dog gets weak or sick
Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
Stings are common in Florida. Some dogs get one sting and recover fine. Others may have a strong allergic reaction, especially if they are stung many times or stung in the face or mouth.
Watch for:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Whining
- Vomiting
- Trouble breathing
- Collapse
Do
- Move your dog away from the area
- Remove a stinger if you see one
- Use a cool compress
- Call your vet
- Go to the vet right away for swelling of the face, trouble breathing, or multiple stings
Don’t Do
- Do not squeeze the area hard
- Do not give human allergy medicine unless your vet tells you to
- Do not wait at home if your dog is having trouble breathing
Fire Ants
Fire ants are very common in Florida. A dog may step in a mound or sniff too close and get stung many times in seconds.
Fire ant stings can cause:
- Sudden pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Limping
- Facial swelling
- Panic
- Allergic reaction
Do
- Move your dog away fast
- Brush ants off right away
- Rinse the area with cool water
- Call your vet if the stings are severe or on the face
- Watch closely for swelling or signs of distress
Don’t Do
- Do not leave ants on the dog while looking for supplies
- Do not put harsh products on the skin
- Do not ignore severe swelling or trouble breathing
Ticks
Ticks are a major problem in Florida. They can attach to dogs in grass, brush, woods, and even in some yards. Ticks can spread disease and often go unnoticed at first.
Do
- Remove the tick with a tick tool or tweezers
- Grab close to the skin and pull straight out
- Clean the area
- Watch for swelling, fever, low energy, or loss of appetite
- Call your vet if your dog seems sick after a tick bite
Don’t Do
- Do not burn the tick off
- Do not smother it with jelly or chemicals
- Do not twist hard or crush it into the skin
- Do not stop after finding one tick because there may be more
Jellyfish and Portuguese Man o’ War
Dogs at the beach may step on or sniff washed-up sea life. Jellyfish and Portuguese man o’ war can still sting even when they are on the sand.
Do
- Keep your dog from rubbing the area
- Rinse with seawater, not fresh water
- Wear gloves if you need to remove tentacles
- Get vet help if your dog is in pain or showing serious signs
Don’t Do
- Do not use fresh water
- Do not rub the sting
- Do not touch tentacles with bare hands
- Do not let your dog investigate washed-up sea animals
Stingrays
Dogs can be hurt by stingrays in shallow water. A stingray may strike if it feels trapped or stepped on.
Do
- Get your dog out of the water
- Use pressure to control bleeding
- Go to the vet right away
- Keep your dog still and calm
Don’t Do
- Do not dig into the wound
- Do not try to remove anything stuck deep in the wound
- Do not wait because the wound looks small
Wild Animals
Dogs in Florida may also run into raccoons, wild boar, bobcats, large birds of prey, snapping turtles, or other wild animals. These animals may bite, scratch, gore, or seriously injure a dog if they feel threatened or if a dog chases them.
Do
- Get your dog away from the animal
- Use pressure to control bleeding
- Go to the vet as soon as possible
- Treat all bites and puncture wounds seriously
Don’t Do
- Do not assume a small wound is harmless
- Do not try to handle an injured wild animal
- Do not delay care because bleeding stopped
When to Get Emergency Help Right Away
Some situations should never be watched at home. Get emergency veterinary care right away if your dog has:
- A snake bite
- Cane toad exposure
- Trouble breathing
- Facial swelling
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Heavy bleeding
- An eye injury
- A deep puncture wound
- An alligator attack
- Severe pain after a sting or bite
How to Help Prevent These Problems
The best way to protect your dog is to lower the chance of contact in the first place.
- Keep your dog on a leash or under close control
- Do not let your dog explore pond edges or canal banks
- Check your yard often
- Be careful outside at night
- Avoid tall grass, heavy brush, and woodpiles
- Use flea and tick prevention
- Do not leave pet food outside
- Watch your dog closely near the beach and shallow water
Final Thoughts
Florida has many things that can harm dogs, including snakes, cane toads, alligators, spiders, ticks, fire ants, stinging insects, jellyfish, stingrays, and wild animals. Some of these dangers are obvious, but many are easy to miss until a dog gets too close.
Knowing what lives in your area, how to avoid it, and what to do in an emergency can make a major difference. Quick action, simple first aid, and getting veterinary care without delay can save your dog’s life.