It's gardening season and it's also the time of year for snails and slugs. If you have pets, be aware that snail bait products can be toxic to pets. Many bait products contain Metaldehyde and are sweetened to attract snails. Metaldehyde is toxic if consumed and can be fatal to pets. It's commonly formulated in pellets which can resemble dog food. Gardeners often use snail bait to kill the pest without realizing the hazard this poison can pose to pets. There is a snail bait available called "Sluggo" that is effective against snails and contains Iron Phosphate. It is safe to use around pets. Symptoms of snail bait poisoning include anxious behavior, panting, twitching and tremors which can lead to seizures and death. If your pet has these symptoms, take it to a vet immediately. Local vets say snail bait poisoning is unfortunately quite common and can be avoided.