In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Will cats keep snakes away? We will find whether a cat can hunt and kill a snake and if snakes can be dangerous to cats.
Will cats keep snakes away?
Some cats may keep snakes away, but the success of it will depend on the cat’s and the snake’s size! Many people find that keeping a cat as a pet will rid their garden of snakes. If you have snakes in your backyard, a cat can be a good way to deter them. However, think carefully about this option.
Many of the snakes found in home gardens are harmless. They do something good for the ecosystem. These breeds feed on common garden pests, ensuring that your lawn or flowerbed remains in good shape.
Also, there is a chance that your cat will encounter a snake without fear. Although most snakes fear felines, there will always be exceptions to any rule.
Are snakes afraid of cats?
Despite an appearance that makes people nervous, snakes are very fearful creatures. They suspect that anything bigger than them is intent on hunting them down and eating them.
In the case of cats, this concern is justified. Since cats have natural hunting instincts, they often stalk a snake. Any home that has both animals must be carefully managed. Make sure a pet snake doesn’t escape your terrarium and house it in a room that your cat can never enter.
Be aware that any snake in your backyard is afraid of a house cat. This could mean that snakes give your home ample space. Alternatively, it may mean that they sneak into your home to avoid a cat that lives in the yard. Alternatively, it could lead to hostility.
Can cats kill Snakes?
A cat can certainly hurt, and maybe even kill a snake. It is not uncommon to see a cat hunting a reptile. If they put the snake where they want, a cat will attack with its claws and teeth.
The result of this fight usually favors cats. Even a house cat can be a determined and determined hunter.
Combine this with superior agility and there will often be a winner in an interspecies showdown. Additionally, a cat’s mouth contains bacteria that kill most small animals within 48 hours.
Do cats hunt snakes?
Cats instinctively hunt everything they consider prey. If a snake tries to escape, it will make your cat more determined to hunt them down.
This may or may not be a good thing. It may be initially fun for the cat, but it will terrify the snake. This, in turn, will lead to an aggressive response from the snake. If the snake is poisonous, a defensive attack can be fatal to the cat.
Keep this in mind when deciding whether to encourage your cat to hunt snakes. Cats do whatever they want, but you can judge how carefully you watch over them.
If you are concerned about snakes, you can rely on wild predators to eliminate them.
Can cats feel snakes?
Cats do not have an innate “sixth sense” dedicated to detecting snakes. However, as predators who regard snakes as a natural enemy, their existing five are augmented.
If your cat seems to tense up just before a snake appears, there will be a rational explanation. The scent, sound, and movement of the snake will make your cat’s hunting instincts race. Just because you haven’t noticed it yet doesn’t mean a snake isn’t there.
Can a snake attack a cat?
A snake will not instinctively fight a cat. Reptilian brains are primarily concerned with staying safe and alive. This means that attacking a considerably larger animal is not a smart move.
A snake, however, will act defensively if it feels threatened. This means rearing, hissing and biting. If a cat corners a snake, a life-threatening confrontation is inevitable.
Can snakes kill cats?
This depends on the species and/or size of the snake and the cat. A giant snake from the constrictor family, such as the Burmese python or the Boa Constrictor, can kill a kitten or adult cat.
You should even be careful if you have a ball python in your home. This breed may be able to surprise a kitten and squash it to death.
Do snakes scare cats?
Some cats are more nervous than others, which would imply that they might be afraid of snakes. In most cases, a cat will seek to hunt down and attack a small snake.
If your cat is afraid of snakes, this may be to her liking. It will prevent your cat from fighting a potentially poisonous or aggressive wild snake.
Wild snakes your cat can find
Some of the more common non-venomous snakes found in the United States are:
- Garter snakes
- Ribbon snakes
- Serpents of kings
- Corn snakes
- Pig nosed snakes.
Meanwhile, the toxic breeds of snakes that can interact with your cat are:
- Copperhead snake
- Rattlesnakes
- Sidewinders
- Coral snakes
- Cottonmouth snakes.
You can usually identify a venomous snake by its appearance. Venomous reptiles tend to have diamond-shaped eyes and fangs. Non-toxic breeds, on the other hand, tend to have eyes and teeth rounder than fangs.
Are Cats Immune To Snake Bites?
Cats have a high resistance to snake venom, but they are not entirely immune. Cats are more likely to be bitten on the muzzle or on the paw. This is because most snake bites are the result of a fight between animals.
To find out if your cat has been bitten by a poisonous snake, inspect the puncture wound. A non-toxic reptile, such as a snake, will leave small teeth marks.
A venomous breed of the snake will leave two fang marks. Also, the symptoms of a non-venomous snake bite are usually less pronounced.
Symptoms of snake bites in cats
If you suspect a snake has bitten your cat, look out for the following symptoms:
- Uncharacteristic agitation and aggression
- Swelling and puncture wounds
- Bleeding
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Tremors, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, or temporary paralysis
- Difficulty breathing
- Gum discoloration
- Droopy eyelids and dilated pupils
- Blood in the urine
Don’t take chances here. If you feel like your cat has been bitten, see a vet. The only first aid you should try in the meantime is applying gentle pressure to the wound.
- Do not wrap the wound too tightly.
- Do not try to suck up any poison yourself.
- Do not put ice on any swelling. This will have no impact on the poison and could damage your cat’s fur.
- Do not wash off the poison with water. This could cause the poison to spread faster. This is particularly important if you notice any signs of a bite near the heart. The poison will spread considerably faster if hit here.
Can cats and snakes live together?
Cats and snakes are like the oil and water of the animal kingdom. They can live in the same house, but you will have to keep them separate.
To maintain a harmonious home where all pets are safe, remember the following steps.
- Place a pet snake in a room that your cat cannot or cannot enter.
- Make sure your snake’s terrarium is secure and the reptile cannot escape.
- Keep your snake’s terrarium elevated. Cats can climb but will react less if they cannot immediately detect a snake.
- If your snake escapes, enclose your cat until you find it and return it to its terrarium. Interestingly, snakes can climb walls.
- If you notice that your snake and cat are interacting, keep a very close eye. Your pets can become tolerant of each other. However, you will need to be prepared to quickly separate them.
- Snakes are very nervous and fear that anything larger than themselves is a predator. Cats are apex predators and consider anything smaller as prey. If they meet, a confrontation will ensue.
- Make sure you understand what breeds of snakes may be native to your territory. If your cat likes to roam, especially at night, she may come across a snake.
This rule also applies if you have a pet snake in your home. Your snake and cat will not get along and cannot be expected to. To avoid any possible distress, keep your animals separate.
Conclusions
Cats are known to keep snakes away. They instinctively hunt everything they consider prey. If a snake tries to escape, it will make your cat more determined to hunt them down. A cat can certainly hurt, and maybe even kill a snake. It is not uncommon to see a cat hunting a reptile.
Although cats have a high resistance to snake venom, they are not entirely immune. Cats are more likely to be bitten on the muzzle or on the paw. This is because most snake bites are the result of a fight between animals.
If you have any comments or questions on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Will cats keep snakes away?
Are snakes afraid of cats?
Despite an appearance that makes people nervous, snakes are very fearful creatures. They suspect that anything bigger than them is intent on hunting them down and eating them. In the case of cats, this concern is justified.
Will cats kill snakes?
A cat can certainly hurt, and maybe even kill a snake. It is not uncommon to see a cat hunting a reptile. If they put the snake where they want, a cat will attack with its claws and teeth.
What smell do snakes hate?
Snakes hate the smell of cloves, cinnamon, garlic, lime, and onions. Make a spray by chopping the garlic cloves and adding them to the oil. (Any oil will work.) Infuse the garlic in the oil for a few weeks then strain.
What is the best animal to keep snakes away?
The best animal to keep snakes away are foxes, raccoons, and pigs. Also, guinea hens, turkeys, and cats are good at keeping snakes away.
References
Animalcorner.org
Animalpath.org
