Why is this dangerous?
Mould growing on bread, pasta, nuts, cheese and garden compost can produce tremorgenic mycotoxins (penitrem A, roquefortine). These over-stimulate the nervous system and cause whole-body tremors, rigidity and high body temperature within 30 minutes to a few hours.
The same mouldy food can also carry aflatoxins, which damage the liver over the following days. Compost is a double risk because it ferments and can also contain alcohol.
Why speed matters
Delaying care significantly worsens outcomes. Some signs appear hours or days later, so "looks fine right now" is not a reason to wait.
Signs to watch for
- Sudden whole-body tremors, shivering, muscle rigidity
- Wobbliness, unable to stand or walk
- Vomiting, drooling, restlessness, panting
- High body temperature from muscle activity
- Seizures, collapse, coma in severe cases
What to do right now
- Call your vet or a poison line and go in — tremors are exhausting and raise body temperature dangerously.
- Keep the pet cool with a fan and cool damp towels; do not use ice-cold water.
- Do not induce vomiting if the pet is already trembling or unsteady.
- Secure bins and compost with pet-proof lids; never compost in an open heap a pet can reach.
If your pet shows any of the signs above, go to the nearest emergency vet now and call ahead.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Moldy Food, Compost & Bin Raids emergency guide.