Pufferfish Poisoning in Dogs: What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Blowie

Quick answer: if your dog has eaten, chewed or licked a pufferfish (also called a blowie, blowfish or toadfish), take them to a vet or emergency vet immediately, even if they seem fine. Pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a nerve toxin with no antidote. Signs can start within minutes to a couple of hours and can progress to paralysis that affects breathing. Call the vet on the way so they're ready for you.

Summer is peak season for this. The Animal Poisons Helpline says it is frequently contacted during summer about dogs that have chewed or eaten beached pufferfish. Here's what every beach-walking dog owner in Australia should know.

Why are pufferfish so dangerous to dogs?

Most pufferfish carry tetrodotoxin in their skin and organs. According to the Animal Poisons Helpline, pufferfish are found in waters all around Australia, and dogs are often drawn to washed-up ones before owners can stop them. Western Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) warns the toxin is in the skin, flesh and organs, and that pets may treat a smelly dead fish as a treat.

The fish doesn't need to be fresh. Dead and dried-out pufferfish on the tide line are still dangerous, and so are ones discarded by people fishing off beaches and jetties.

What are the signs of pufferfish poisoning in dogs?

Signs described by Australian vet and government sources include:

Vomiting, often bringing up recognisable bits of fish
Drooling, panting or lip-licking
Dullness or lethargy
Wobbliness or weakness, usually starting in the back legs
Trembling
Difficulty breathing as weakness spreads
Collapse or paralysis

The Animal Poisons Helpline notes weakness or paralysis typically begins in the back legs and moves forward to the breathing muscles. Don't wait for signs to appear before acting.

What should I do if my dog ate a pufferfish?

Get your dog away from the fish and take any remains out of their mouth if you can do it safely.
Go to the nearest vet or emergency vet now. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop.
Call ahead so the team can prepare. Say it was a pufferfish and roughly when it happened.
Don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Keep your dog calm and carry them if they're wobbly.
Take a photo of the fish if you can, without touching it.

There is no antidote, so vet treatment focuses on supportive care while the toxin wears off. In severe cases this can include help with breathing. Getting there early gives your dog the best chance.

Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet in your phone before summer. Northern Beaches locals can use our list of emergency vet, pound and RSPCA contacts.

How do I stop my dog eating pufferfish at the beach?

Scan the tide line first. Walk the stretch of sand before letting your dog off-lead, especially after storms or near jetties and boat ramps.
Keep your dog close near fishing spots. Discarded catch is a common source.
Teach "leave it" and a strong recall. Our guide to teaching recall at the beach walks through it.
Use a lead or long line if your dog is a scavenger.
Ask anglers to return pufferfish to the water. Animal Poisons Helpline and WA DPIRD both ask fishers not to leave them on the sand.

Which beaches are pufferfish found on?

Pufferfish live in coastal waters right around Australia, so any beach, estuary or jetty can have them, from Sydney's harbour beaches to Queensland and WA. Animal Emergency Service in Queensland notes Australia has dozens of pufferfish species. Treat every washed-up fish as a possible risk.

FAQs

How long after eating a pufferfish will a dog show symptoms?

Signs can appear within minutes to a couple of hours. Go to a vet straight away rather than waiting.

Is a dead, dried pufferfish still poisonous?

Yes. The toxin remains in dead fish, which is why washed-up blowies on the tide line are a risk.

What if my dog only licked a pufferfish?

Still call a vet. Animal Emergency Service notes that chewing or licking can be enough to cause poisoning.

Is there an antidote for pufferfish poisoning?

No. Vets treat it with supportive care until the toxin wears off.

Are toadfish, blowfish and pufferfish the same thing?

They're common names for related fish that carry the same type of toxin. Treat them all as dangerous.

More beach safety

Heading to the beach this summer? Keep an AirTag on your dog's collar in a Pawfetchers waterproof holder, rated to 1 metre for 30 minutes (AirTag sold separately). It won't stop a scavenger, but it helps you find a dog that runs off.