Both cats and snakes are popular pets worldwide. In the U.S. alone, 25% of households own a cat while an estimated 5 million households keep snakes as pets [https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics]. With many households owning one or both of these animals, their interactions are important to understand.
Cats are natural predators of snakes, often viewing them as prey while snakes may see cats as a threat. This brings up an interesting question – can cats help protect homes and families against potentially dangerous snakes? While cats may offer some detection and deterrence of snakes, they cannot be relied upon to provide full protection from snake encounters or bites. However, understanding cats’ abilities, limitations, and proper precautions can help inform pet owners.
Natural History of Cats and Snakes
Cats and snakes have co-existed for thousands of years, descending from common ancestors. Cats originated from desert-dwelling wildcats in the Middle East around 10,000 years ago, while snakes evolved from legged reptiles over 100 million years ago (The Natural History of Domestic Cats). In the wild, cats and snakes occupy overlapping habitats and have complex predator-prey relationships.
As predators, cats and snakes both rely heavily on their senses of sight, smell, and hearing to hunt. Cats have excellent night vision and fast reflexes to pursue prey, while snakes use heat-sensing pits to strike unsuspecting victims. Snakes frequently prey on small mammals that cats also hunt, like rodents. However, some larger snake species may view cats as prey as well.
When confronting each other, cats often have the advantage with their agility, allowing them to leap out of striking distance. Snakes tend to avoid cats if possible, since cats are quick to retaliate with their sharp claws if threatened. Still, snakes can deliver deadly bites, so cats exhibit caution and restraint towards them. Overall, cats and snakes have a wary coexistence, both playing the roles of predator and prey at times.
Cats’ Detection Abilities
Cats can often detect snakes using their superior senses, allowing them to spot snakes before humans in many cases. With their excellent hearing, cats can pick up on the sounds of a snake slithering in grass or leaves from farther away than people can hear. Their strong sense of smell also enables them to detect snakes by their scent.[1]
In addition, a cat’s vision is adapted for hunting small prey like snakes, with a wide field of view and the ability to see well in low light. When a cat sees the distinctive shape and movement of a snake, they are likely to recognize it as a potential threat.
There are many anecdotal reports of cats alerting or protecting owners from snakes. For example, cats may stand between a snake and a human, vocalize or meow insistently to get an owner’s attention, or even directly attack a snake. While more research is needed, these accounts indicate cats can often detect snakes and may attempt to alert humans to their presence.
Cats’ Deterrence of Snakes
With their fast reflexes and claws, cats can often harass, injure, or kill small snakes. Cats have quick reaction times that allow them to pounce on snakes before they can strike. Their sharp claws can inflict damage on snakes. According to one source, “Cats are extremely agile and fast. I have read that they actually have the highest kill rate among predators” (source). So cats can effectively catch and kill small, nonvenomous snakes that pose little danger to them.
However, cats face greater risks from larger, venomous snake species. Snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cobras can seriously injure or kill a cat if given the chance. As one veterinarian notes, “If your cat is bitten by a venomous snake, they could become seriously ill and even die” (source). The venom from these snakes is often too potent for a cat to survive. So while cats can deter small snakes, large or venomous snakes are too dangerous for felines to face and require additional precautions.
Cats’ Vulnerabilities
Cats can be hurt or killed by snake bites and constriction. Kittens and small cats are especially vulnerable to snakes due to their small size. According to Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center (VESC), more than 2,000 cats are killed by venomous snakes in the United States each year. Snake bites account for 1% of trauma cases seen in cats at VESC hospitals. While cats have some natural defenses against snakes, they can still suffer serious injury or death. Venomous bites can cause symptoms like swelling, bruising, bleeding, and necrosis around the bite area. Severe untreated envenomation can lead to seizure, paralysis and death in cats.
According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, nonvenomous snakes can also pose a serious threat to cats since they kill prey by constriction. The compressive forces of constriction can fracture ribs and damage internal organs. Small kittens are especially at risk. All snake bites should be considered an emergency. Cats bitten by any snake, venomous or not, require immediate veterinary treatment.
Sources:
https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/venomous-snakebites-cats
Limitations of Cats’ Abilities
While cats do have impressive snake detection abilities, they are not foolproof. Cats cannot detect snakes through walls, underground, or if the snake is hiding or camouflaged well in brush or foliage (https://www.hepper.com/can-cats-sense-snakes/). Their detection depends on the circumstances and environment. Additionally, not all cats are good mousers or have strong predator instincts. An indoor cat who has never encountered a snake likely would not detect it as quickly as an outdoor, experienced hunter. Factors like age, health, temperament, breed, and environment can impact a cat’s aptitude for keeping snakes away (https://wypestcontrol.com/cats-vs-snakes/). So while cats can help deter snakes, they should not be solely relied upon as a failsafe. Other precautions should be taken as well.
Other Precautions Against Snakes
In addition to natural repellents, there are several other precautions you can take to deter snakes from your property:
Secure any potential food sources like pet food, bird feeders, and garbage cans that may attract rodents and snakes. Clear any brush, wood piles, and overgrown vegetation around your home, as snakes use these areas for shelter and hiding. Consider installing snake-proof fencing made of small mesh galvanized hardware cloth buried at least 6 inches into the ground. The fence should slant outwards at a 30-degree angle to prevent snakes from climbing over.
Promote natural competitors that prey on snakes, like opossums, hawks, and foxes. This can help control the snake population naturally. Keep cats and dogs from roaming outside, as they are vulnerable to snake bites. Supervise pets when outdoors and avoid areas where snakes may hide. Cats that roam freely are more likely to encounter snakes.
Snake Aversion Training
Special training can be used to teach cats to avoid snakes using scents. The goal is for cats to associate the scent of snakes with something unpleasant so they learn to avoid areas where snakes may be present. One method is to use scent samples from snakes along with an aversive consequence like a loud noise or a small static shock. Gradually the aversive is removed so the cat learns to retreat when just the snake scent is detected.
The effectiveness of snake aversion training can vary. According to an article on the Karenn Pryor Academy website https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/snake-avoidance-training-with-ken-ramirez/, it may work well for some cats but not others. The training needs to be done carefully to avoid creating excessive stress or fear. It’s also important that the scent samples come from venomous snake species found in the local area. Regular reinforcement may be needed to maintain the aversion over time.
First Aid for Cats and Snakes
If your cat is bitten by a snake, remain calm and act quickly. According to the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Health Topics article, you should bring your cat and the snake safely to the vet clinic immediately if possible. Venom spreads quickly so fast action is critical.
Call ahead to the emergency vet so antivenom can be prepared. If you’re unable to travel to the vet right away, UC Davis recommends washing the bite area with soap and water if the skin is not broken, applying a light bandage, and restricting activity to slow venom absorption. Do not apply ice, cut the wound, or apply a tourniquet which can harm the cat.
To safely capture or remove stray snakes, animal control experts recommend gently scooping smaller snakes using a long handled shovel or stick. For larger snakes, keep your distance and call animal control rather than trying to remove it yourself. Snakes may retreat if given an escape path, so try clearing brush or debris blocking its exit route.
In general, only call animal control for stray snakes on your property that pose an imminent threat. Many snakes are not venomous and help control pests. Animal control may refer you to a professional wildlife removal service for safe capture and relocation of the snake instead.
Conclusion
In summary, while cats can offer useful protection against snakes due to their detection abilities and deterrent effects, they also have significant limitations and vulnerabilities. Cats may be able to detect snakes through sight, sound and smell and their predatory presence may dissuade snakes from approaching an area. However, cats can still be bitten and harmed by venomous snakes, and not all cats are equally skilled at noticing or driving away snakes. Having cats is not a foolproof anti-snake system. For best protection, combining cats with other precautions like snake-proof fencing, removal of hiding spots, and avoidance of snake habitats is recommended. Though cats can assist with deterrence, it is unwise to rely solely on them to prevent snake encounters or bites. Their abilities should be viewed as helpful but supplemental elements of a comprehensive snake bite prevention plan.
