What would a black widow spider bite do to a cat?

Question

I have found a lot of black widow spiders outside right now, some mature females, but mostly immature spiders. I quickly kill them, but I am worried that when my cat is outside running around one could get on her and bite her. Anyone know how lethal their poison is for small animals?

I really hate those things! And I don't let her out at night, only in the daytime. Also, there are lots of other outdoor cats, and possoms and stuff that i hear, so obviously it isn't some spider biting epidemic, but I was just wondering how concerned should i be?

Answer 1

My guess is that it would kill it. Those are really dangerous and you may feel a little better if you exterminate those things, call a professional to spray your house surroundings so those critters wont get into you house and I believe they could spray some into your garden if you want to.

Good luck

Answer 2

Black widow spider bites can kill a cat. Try to keep the cat inside until your sure that you have eradicated the spider problem. You don't want to see your cat suffer from one of these bites. Death is a long protracted affair and very painfull for the animal.

I'm sure that your aware by now that some cat lovers don't agree with you letting your cat out. I'm not one of them. My cat was attacked by a coyote or a fox and as soon as she's fit again she is getting back out. She's a country cat and works for her place in this house by killing mice and other pests.  

Answer 3

Black widow spider venom is categorized as a nerve toxin. One bite can be sufficient to affect severely or even kill a small pet

What to Watch For

# Extreme pain in the area of the bite

# Muscle tremors

# Rigid muscles

# Paralysis

# Death

Death is usually due to paralysis of the muscles and nerves associated with breathing.

Answer 4

The black widow spider produces a protein venom that affects the victim's nervous system. This neurotoxic protein is one of the most potent venoms secreted by an animal. You should take your cat to an emergency vet, and note that I'm writing EMERGENCY VET if she has one of the following symptoms:

1 - Localized or generalized severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness, and tremor.

2 -  Blood pressure and heart rate may be elevated. The elevation of blood pressure can lead to one of the most severe complications.



If she eats, drinks, doesn't seem lethargic then no worries. However, you should find ways to extinguish that plague. You should call pest control immediately. All of these things I said also apply to humans and you might as well end up bitten by a black widow (God forbid) thus ending up at the hospital. Those creatures, although is hardly heard of them biting humans, can certainly bite you and cause you harm.

Answer 5

This is why people need to keep their cats INDOORS. There's a lot of dangerous and harmful things out there for them to get into or to have happen to them. Just keep your cat inside, especially if there are poisonous spiders and other critters with rabies and other kinds of fleas, ticks, and diseases out there that could possibly harm your cat.

Answer 6

I'd keep my cat inside if I were you.

Answer 7

becuz the spider has deadly venom in its fangs,

this could harm the cat alot.

it may even cause death.

go see your vet.

Answer 8

With a name like "housecat" I am wondering why you leave your cat outdoors during the daytime.  If your area has opossums and other roaming cats, you have more to fear than spider bites.  Between traffic and cars, and a fight with a nasty cat or possibly rabid wild animal, the hazards to a cat let out even for just a few hours a day far outweigh the benefits to the cat.  

If I came across as hostile, it is only because we see so many feral, completely abandoned or neglected cats in our neighborhood. . . . it makes me angry for the CATS.    That said, we also have to chase them away from our bird feeders . . . and our flower gardens where they do their business and leave their messes for US, not their owners, to deal with.  We do not let our cat out unless we are out there watching her, because it is not unheard of for a neighborhood dog to be out running, or one of the neglected cats . . . and her safety is more important than her pleasure at that point.  

And I agree with everyone else, if you actually have an infestation of black widows it is time to get them exterminated.  More than your cat's health and safety is at risk.  Sorry if I came across as harsh, but it is always better to act before it is too late . . .