A spider bit your cat: what to do

Cats are curious creatures and they love exploring every nook and cranny of their surrounding wether they are indoor or outdoor. Unfortunately, curiosity sometime can lead to unexpected accident. For example, your cat may encounter a spider!! When your cat mess with a spider, it would usually counterattack as defense. If you find a spider bite on your cat, it is very important to know how to respond to help your feline friend. We will help you through our little guide.

First, you need to assess the situation. Please remove your cat from the situation to prevent more attack. If you witness the situations, try to identify the type of spider because this important information can help your veterinarian determine the appropriate course of action! Spider bites can be very painful but not always dangerous. However, there are two spider you will definitely watch out because they are venomous to cats.

1. Black widow: Their size is around 1-1.5 inches length and it’s easy to identify. they are brown with a pink/ red spot on their body. Good thing is they aren’t naturally aggressive. They only attack or bite when they are provoke. If you see them around your cats, please make sure to move your cat because your cat might want to hunt it due to their instinct.

2. Brown Recluse: They usually spend most of their time hiding in an undisturbed spot. They are around 0.5-1 inch length. They are brown with a violin-shape marking on the back of its head. They are just like black widow, they will only confront when they feel life threaten.

Second, Observe your cat. If your cat is bitten by venomous spider, please contact your vet right away and book an emergency visit. Otherwise, keep a close eye on your cat for any unusual behavior or symptoms. If you see any signs of a serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, excessive swelling, vomiting, or lethargy. Please contact your vet right away.

Third, Clean the area. If the bite wound is visible and your cat is allows it. Gently clean the area with pet wipe or with the mild soap and water. This can prevent infection. However, if you cat hates it, don’t force your cat with this process. You would cause more stress and discomfort.

Fourth, Keep your cat calm: Provide a quiet space where your cat can rest and recover without any disturbance. Stress can worsen your cat condition. If your cat is bite by a venomous spider, keeping your cat calm can slow the venom flow through his body while you seek for immediately help.

Last, contact your veterinarian: Regardless of the severity of the bite, it's always a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Describe the situation, any observed symptoms, and provide information about the spider if possible. Your vet will guide you on the best course of action.

Please avoid home remedies or over the counter medication without consulting your vet. Inappropriate treatment could worsen the spider bite. To prevent future spider bites, please keep your living space clean and free of hiding spots for spiders. Regular cleaning and decluttering can go a long way in preventing such incidents. Curiosity killed the cat is a popular phrase we use all the time, but we definitely don’t want your feline friend’s curiosity to end up with a bad encounter with a spider. Knowing how to respond to a spider bite situation is important; your veterinarian is your best resource for you and your cat. By the way, our guidelines also apply to our canine friends! Cats suffer spider bites more often than dogs, but dogs can also be bitten by spiders.