If a dog eats a lizard, it may get parasites or bacteria, and some lizards are toxic. Call your vet.
Risks
- Salmonella and other bacteria.
- Parasites.
- Choking or intestinal blockage.
- Toxins in certain species.
Venomous lizards
The Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard live in the southwest US. Rare.
Not toxic
Most common lizards are not poisonous.
What to do
Watch for vomiting, drooling, diarrhea or lethargy.
Call your vet
Or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Risk levels
Most lizards in the US are non-toxic, and eating one is rarely dangerous for a dog. Risks include choking, gastrointestinal upset, parasites (Salmonella and lungworm in some regions) and, rarely, infections. Venomous lizards, such as the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard, live in the southwestern US and Mexico, and their bites are dangerous.
- Some lizards carry Salmonella, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and spread to people.
- Lizard tails may break off and cause only mild issues.
- Cane toads, not lizards, are the classic toxic amphibians that can poison dogs.
What to do
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite or tremors for 24 to 48 hours. Call a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 for advice. Seek emergency care right away if you suspect a Gila monster bite. Prevent by supervising dogs outside and discouraging prey chasing. Wash hands after handling anything the dog brought up.
Risk levels
Most lizards are low risk but may carry Salmonella. In the southwestern US, some lizards such as the Gila monster are venomous, but rare. Cane toads are toxic, not lizards. Dogs may vomit or get parasites.
What to do
Check the mouth, watch for vomiting, drooling or lethargy, and call the vet. Poison control: ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Risks of eating a lizard
Dogs that catch lizards may get gastrointestinal upset, but the main concerns are parasites and bacteria. Lizards can carry Salmonella, and some can host parasites such as Platynosomum fastosum (liver fluke), which is mostly a cat issue. In parts of the southwestern United States, venomous Gila monsters exist but are protected and not a common issue. Toxic species include certain imported lizards.
What to do
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy and loss of appetite over the next days. Most dogs recover without issue. Do not try to induce vomiting without veterinary advice. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if symptoms appear or if you know the lizard type. Keep dogs from chasing wildlife, make sure vaccinations and parasite preventives are current and wash your hands after contact.
Based on data from the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association
