Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Do Cats Eat Snakes? Vet-Verified Risks & Precautions

cat staring at snake

Cats are opportunistic hunters and sometimes hunt snakes as a result. Cats often hunt snakes for sport and leave the body after the game. Occasionally, cats will eat snakes, but it doesn’t happen frequently enough that you should rely on your cat to keep snakes at bay around your home.

Even though cats do not eat snakes often, it’s essential to know the health risks your cat may face if they attack a snake. For example, venomous snakes can seriously harm cats, though it is uncommon for cats to go after these snakes. Meanwhile, other types of snakes can make your cat sick.

Read on below to learn more.

divider 3 paws

Do Cats Eat Snakes?

Cats are predators, and they can and do eat several small animals, including snakes. Cats do not commonly eat snakes, but they may chow down on the remnants of a snake if they are very hungry. Feral cats are more likely to eat snakes than pet cats.

Although cats sometimes eat snakes, it isn’t very common. On the contrary, cats are predators by nature and view hunting as a game. Consequently, many cats will stake out a snake and kill it just for fun. After the snake is killed, the cat will leave its body and go about the rest of their day.

Are Snakes Healthy for Cats To Eat?

While cats are natural predators and may occasionally hunt and eat small snakes, it’s not typically considered healthy or safe for them to do so. However, the risk depends on the type of snake. Small, non-venomous snakes are usually harmless for your cat to eat. Species like garter snakes, corn snakes, kingsnakes, and rat snakes are all examples of snakes that are safe for your cat to eat.

In contrast, venomous snakes can pose a serious threat to your cat. For example, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and copperheads are venomous and could harm your cat.

a cat in hunting position
Image Credit: Astrid Gast, Shutterstock

Are Snakes Dangerous for Cats?

All snakes pose a risk to your cat, including non-venomous varieties. Larger snakes can fight back, resulting in injury to your cat. Meanwhile, venomous snakes can inject venom into your cat, resulting in several serious health risks.

Even so, cats do not often find themselves as victims of snakes. As we learned above, cats mainly hunt snakes for sport. Cats will carefully consider the snake before deciding to make it prey. If the cat believes they can overpower the snake, they will hunt it for sport. Because of that, cats rarely take on giant snakes or ones that can do severe damage.

Of course, there are always incidents of the snake coming out on top. If the snake is non-venomous, the cat might have a few scratches. Venomous snakes, however, can lead to life-threatening risks due to the venom.

divider 3 paws

What To Do If Your Cat Ate a Snake

You don’t need to panic immediately if your cat ate a snake. If you know the snake was non-venomous, your cat will likely have little to no side effects. Even so, keep an eye out on your cat so you can treat them in case any side effects pop up. If you notice signs that your cat has been bitten by or consumed a venomous snake, call your veterinarian immediately.

The veterinarian will provide your cat the care they need to hopefully increase the chances of your cat’s survival. Getting them to a veterinarian immediately will increase their chances of survival.

Even if you are unsure what kind of snake your cat ingested, it’s still a great idea to call your vet. Consider researching the venomous snakes in your area as well. That way, your cat gets the treatment they need if they consume something dangerous.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

Signs of Snake Venom Poisoning in Cats

  • Dilated pupils
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Drooling, vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Labored breathing
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shaking/shivering/twitching
  • Swelling of face and limbs
  • Pain and swelling at the bite site
  • Collapse

Chances Of Survival

Cats are two times more likely to survive a venomous snake bite than dogs. As a result, venomous snake bites are not always fatal for cats, especially if they get anti-venom within a quick time frame. Contacting your vet as soon as possible is vital if you want your cat to have as few side effects as possible after being bitten by or ingesting a venomous snake.

divider 3 paws

Final Thoughts

Although it’s rare, outdoor cats may occasionally hunt and eat small snakes. However, they are far more likely to target other animals such as birds or small mammals, or to abandon the snake after playing with it. While this may seem unsettling, it’s important to remember that cats are natural predators, and this behavior is part of their instinctual nature.

If your cat happens to eat or be bitten by a snake, it’s essential to determine what kind of a snake it is. If the snake was small and non-venomous, your cat will likely have little to no side effects. Contact your veterinarian immediately if the snake is venomous or if you are unsure if it is venomous.

Even though cats are naturally more resistant to snake bites than other species, they need appropriate veterinary care if they are on the wrong side of a venomous snake.

See Also: 


Featured Image Credit: Pedro Hamilton Oliveira, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Cat Bitten by Snake, What Should I Do? Our Vet Explains

Luckily for our feline friends, snake bites in cats are relatively rare compared to their canine counterparts. Cats tend to be savvier than...

cat staring at snake

Can A Cat Sense Snakes? Everything You Need to Know!

Our feline companions are fierce hunters (which you know if you’ve ever been brought a dead mouse). And if you’ve ever watched your...

cat hunting in grass

Can Cats Eat Crickets? Vet Approved Health Facts & Precautions

We all know that our cats are carnivorous beasts hidden in cute bodies. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means the majority of their...

Can Cats Eat Crickets

Do Cats & Bearded Dragons Get Along? Vet-Verified Facts, Risks & Safety

Although cats have been a common household pet for many years, bearded dragons have only recently come into the spotlight, but their popularity...

Cats And Bearded Dragon Get Along

More related

Catster_Can Cats Eat Mustard_v1_Dec 4 2024

Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Verified Risks & Precautions

A cat sneaking a taste of the turkey sandwich you accidentally left on the counter can seem harmless until you consider everything that...

Can Cats Eat Scorpions

Can Cats Eat Scorpions? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Cats naturally enjoy hunting, and small creatures are their favorite targets. Most insects do not pose threats to cats, but scorpions (and other...

squirrel-in-the-trees

Do Cats Eat Squirrels? Is It Healthy for Them?

Cats are quirky animals, and you never know what they are going to do next. They don’t follow the pack or do what...

two-cats-looking-at-the-litter-box

Do Cats Eat Their Own Poop? Vet-Verified Facts & How to Stop It

Cats are curious creatures, and we may see them sampling various non-edible things, including houseplants, cardboard boxes, and our toes. Many animals eat...

Keep reading

Can Cats Drink Oat Milk? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safety Guide

While we try to lead more active lives and make smarter food choices, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the same considerations don’t apply to pets. So, can cats have oat milk? The fiber and vitamin-rich replacement for cow’s milk...

Can Cats Drink Oat Milk

7 Best Top-Entry Litter Boxes in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Top-entry litter boxes are aesthetically pleasing and fit in with modern décor more than standard litter trays. They’re tall and hygienic and help keep your house clean from lumps of kitty litter stuck to your feline’s paws. These litter boxes...

ginger cat inside red grey enclosed litter box

Birman Cat Health Problems: 14 Common Issues

If you’re a Birman parent—lucky you! These gorgeous purr-machines always win hearts with their beauty and affectionate natures. Cat parenting does come with many worries, though—especially if your furbaby gets ill or you’re concerned about congenital illnesses. In this post,...

Catster_Health Problems of Birman Cats

Should I Get a Kitten for My Cat? Vet-Approved Introduction Tips & FAQ

Introducing pets is an equally exciting and scary prospect for devout cat owners. Will they love one another and enrich each other’s lives in your absence? Or will they jockey for power and aggressively protect their territory, making life a...

cat-smelling-kitten

Are Geraniums Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

If you’re a cat lover who also loves plants, you already understand the importance of knowing which plants are toxic to your cat. Potted plants can be a lovely way to brighten up your home’s interior, but if you have...

Catster_Are Geraniums Poisonous to Cats

How To Stop a Cat From Putting Their Paws In Their Water: 3 Tips & Tricks

Cats are often considered incredibly water averse, which probably brings a smile to any cat companion who’s watched their buddy become mesmerized by a flushing toilet or transfixed by water dripping from a faucet. Splashing in water bowls is a...

cat dipping its paw in water bowl

10 Best Cat Treats for Picky Cats (2025) – Reviews & Top Picks

You spend hours at the pet store picking out the best treats for your cat, only for them to be rejected without so much as a taste! Cats are notoriously picky, but some of them are obviously pickier than others....

devon rex cat eating

Can Cats Eat Slim Jims? Vet-Approved Nutritional Science & Alternatives

Because your cat is a carnivore, you might be wondering if your furry friend can eat Slim Jims. Although Slim Jims are likely not toxic to cats, they aren’t good treats because they are filled with preservatives and ingredients that...

Catster_Can Cats Eat Slim Jims_v1_Dec 4 2024