Is Blue-green algae (stagnant water blooms) toxic to dogs & cats?
Also known as: cyanobacteria / pond scum
🚑 What to do right after ingestion
Rinse the coat thoroughly immediately (prevent licking), then to the nearest hospital. Avoid waters with green surface films in warm months.
Toxicity notes
Green surface films on still summer water may hold microcystins — dogs are poisoned by swimming, drinking or licking the coat. No antidote; liver failure within hours.
Poisoning symptoms
- • Vomiting and diarrhea
- • Drooling
- • Wobbliness
- • Tremors and seizures
- • Jaundice / liver failure
Symptoms can be delayed (e.g. onion/garlic-induced hemolysis may take days) — a pet looking fine right now is no reason to relax.
FAQ
How much causes poisoning?
Green surface films on still summer water may hold microcystins — dogs are poisoned by swimming, drinking or licking the coat. No antidote; liver failure within hours.
Can I make my pet vomit at home?
Home-induced vomiting is not advised: corrosive cleaners, sharp bones or existing neurological signs make it dangerous, and improper technique risks aspiration pneumonia. Vomiting should be induced by a vet with proper drugs at the right moment — most effective within 1-2 hours. So “head to the clinic as soon as you know” beats “try to induce vomiting first”.
Even without symptoms, use the symptom checker to review what to watch for
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