If your cat is bitten by a venomous snake, they could become seriously ill and even die. Felines have a higher tolerance for snake venom than some other mammals but don't take a wait-and-see approach to a snake bite!
A cat would win a fight against a rattlesnake. Cats play with their food to tire it out and get the animal to lower its defenses, which is exactly what it would do in a one-on-one fight. The cat would harass the snake from different sides, limiting the snake's ability to counter.
Snakes view cats as large predators, and the fast movements of snakes make them a tempting prey item for cats. Your snake will likely always need to be kept separate from your cat.
"Cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes," Con Slobodchikoff, animal behaviorist and author of "Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals," said. "Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in."
Localized swelling can occur, which can compromise breathing if the bite occurred on the head or neck. If neurotoxic venom was injected, muscle twitching, paralysis, and other neurologic signs may be observed. Secondary infections can occur at the wound site, but are extremely rare.
Summary: Cats are twice as likely to survive a venomous snakebite than dogs, and the reasons behind this strange phenomenon have just been revealed. The research team compared the effects of snake venoms on the blood clotting agents in dogs and cats, hoping to help save the lives of our furry friends.
Recovery of Snake Bites in Cats
It takes most cats a minimum of one to two days to recover from a venomous snake bite with antivenin treatment. If immediate treatment has not been given, venomous bites are often fatal. Once discharged from the hospital, monitor the cat for any worsening in its condition.
Believe it or not, cats are actually imitating snakes when they hiss! Snakes are seen as some of the most fearsome predators in the animal kingdom. Just like snakes, cats hiss to sound intimidating and to try to scare away whatever is threatening them.
The Snake Connection
“Cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes,” Con Slobodchikoff, animal behaviorist and author of Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals, told ABC News in 2015. “Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in.”
Loud Noises
Of all the cat fears, this one probably is the most relatable. Sudden loud noises can really startle your cat and cause them to either jump or go run and hide for a while. Things like the vacuum cleaner tend to trigger a cat's anxiety and send them to their favorite hiding spots.
Sand cats are notorious snake hunters, particularly of horned and sand vipers, which they stun with rapid blows to the head before sinking the kill with a neck bite.
Snake bite symptoms and treatment
Your dog or cat comes in the house with an odd swelling on its face, chest or paw. The tissue that is swollen is usually weeping blood or dark black fluid. It is very painful to the touch. The pet may be having trouble walking.
The hedgehog (Erinaceidae), the mongoose (Herpestidae), the honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and the opossum are known to be immune to a dose of snake venom.
If we are looking at speed alone, yes, cats are faster than snakes. A snake can typically top out at about 12mph when they're slithering away. A standard domestic cat, on the other hand, can reach speeds of about 30mph.
Or have you ever been in a heightened anxiety state and you notice that your cats are either extra anxious or steer clear of you? This is because cats sense those emotions and react accordingly. Studies have proven that cats smell fear.
A cat sees that cucumber is a threat, and when confronted with a "threatening situation," explain PAWS Chicago, cats respond with fear and anxiety. This instinctive reaction is visible when a cat is surprised by a cucumber: jumping up or, conversely, freezing in place; fur standing up; yelping and so on.
Weak - On top of low energy, your cat could also experience severe weakness. Weak cats might have trouble supporting their body or moving as usual. Kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease are all common health problems associated with weakness in felines.
The second part of the outdoor cat predator problem is that cats are themselves prey. They will be killed by coyotes, eagles, owls, raccoons, dogs and otters. Two cats were killed by an otter when the cats got to close to their nest. Cars and humans also kill cats.
The opossum will eat fresh meat or carrion and is often seen feeding on road kill. Opossums do not prey on cats or other larger mammals but will attack them if cornered, or if competing for food. Opossums cause loss to home gardens by eating nuts, berries, fruits, and grapes.
Cats are often stereotyped as standoffish and aloof, even to the people who love them most, but the truth is that cats can be just as protective of their people as dogs are of theirs. Put simply, cats love their family and their family loves them right back.
Despite some cat lovers claiming they witnessed their cat predicting imminent danger or communicating with persons unseen, there is no solid evidence that cats are able to detect things beyond what the usual five senses are capable of.