29/09/2025
Snake Bite First Aid for Pets.
Coming into Spring we always see an increase in Snake activity, the reptiles are moving in search of mates, looking for food or water and new shelter sites. At this time of year there is an increase in snake interaction with humans but also our pets.
We receive several dozen calls throughout the year that involve people concerned about their pets and possible interactions with snakes, some of these have been very close to home for us! Over many years we have seen some tragic and horrific outcomes, but also some remarkable recoveries; So today, we are going to try to sack the odds in your pet’s favour!
It is important as pet owners in North Queensland, that we are cautious and are aware of snakes in our environment and be prepared by knowing snake bite first aid protocol for our pets. Locally we have some of the most Dangerously Venomous snakes in Australia, including the Coastal Taipan, Eastern Brown Snake, Mulga or King Brown Snake, Rough Scaled Snake, Death Adder and Red Bellied Black snake. All these species can deliver a potentially fatal bite to humans, pets and other livestock. However, these snake species are quick to retreat if given the opportunity and therein lies the main reason for most snake bites. The snake doesn’t have time or space to get away; or has been injured, so it will defend itself.
Whilst snakes will never seek out to interact with or bite our Dog or Cat, our pets are inquisitive creatures, and incidents will sometimes occur when the animals are ‘checking one another out’. The possible exception to this is Adult Amethystine Pythons, Simalia kinghorni, a non-venomous species which predate medium to large mammals.
Further to this, dogs and cats will often chase or attempt to kill snakes, with cats possessing a strong hunting instinct, often bringing home their prize, making them both susceptible to snake bites.
Before I continue, I would like to stipulate that this is a guide! It is not a substitute for formal veterinary advice. If you believe that your pet, or another domestic animal, has been bitten by a snake, it is imperative that you contact your local vet or emergency vet immediately. Veterinary treatment for snake bite can be extremely expensive, especially if the animal suffers complications. Often the path to recovery is long, difficult and some pets never recover fully. Therefore, as sad as it may be, it’s something that the family should discuss, well before anything happens to your pet and discuss your options.
Please note, the following has been checked by two independent veterinarians who support this as current snake bite first aid for domestic pets.
Prevention is Always Best!
The best thing to do, is to prevent a bite from happening in the first place! The following are a few tips to help make the yard less attractive to snakes:
• Keep your grass cut short, this reduces cover for the snakes and makes them more visible.
• Keep vegetation and trees trimmed back and up, and cleaning up loose leaf and branch litter. This reduces cover and shelter for the snakes to hide, it also reduces places for rodents and skinks to hide. It also increases visibility of the snake when under shrubbery, so you can see it and get the pet away.
• Don’t keep domestic pet food outside. Whether it is dog or cat food, chook food this will bring in rodents which are a food source for many snakes, especially the larger elapids)
• Limit access to water collection (old buckets, tubs, etc) around your yard
• Don’t leave man-made materials laying around your yard (sheets of tin, tarps, wood piles, etc. This is perfect material for snakes to hunt under, or hide in the heat of the day)
Regularly check your yard to keep it clear from the above, and identify any potential snake activity (a snake’s shed being left behind is a key indicator a snake has been around, you can send us a photo or one of the snake id groups on face book to find out what it is)
Whenever possible, monitor your pet’s when outdoors
Invest in Snake Avoidance Training for your dogs if you regularly have snakes on or around your property. That way they will manage themselves away from the danger.
Do not allow your cat outside unsupervised, they can’t help themselves they will hunt something!
If you like to take your cat outside, make sure that it is only in the confines of your property, and you can always watch them.
Harnesses for cats are also a great investment, particularly with a long leash - You can enjoy time with your cat safely.
Install cat runs/enclosures, with a flat steel around the lower wall, a tight closing external door and encased in wire that is small enough to limit the ability of snakes to get inside (6.5mm x 6.5mm will usually do the trick). In the Wet Tropics we also need to contend with the possibility of the cat falling prey to an Amethystine Python, Simalia kinghorni; as these large pythons are easily able to overpower a cat.
On the reverse side of this, instead of making the yard “sterile”, provide the snakes with extra solid cover that they can hide in or under to get away for your pet. Smaller diameter hollow logs or 90mm PVC pipe cut to about 1.5 meters long and placed in a couple of spots around the yard can give the snake a refuge to hide in away from the pet. This gives you time to restrain the pet and move them away, and for the snake to move off.
What If Prevention Fails?
Unfortunately, sometimes despite our best efforts our animals end up interacting with snakes, either by accidentally finding one that is moving through the area, or by running over it without seeing it. So, the important thing to do is to be prepared! Keep a well maintained first aid kit for your family and the one for the pet in an easily accessed place and make sure it is well provisioned! If you are working on the farm, or other rural situation as some hunters do keep a first aid kit with at least two Snake Bite bandages in the bike or ATV.
What is found in a standard snake bite first aid kit for pets?
They are pretty much the same as a First Aid kit that you can purchase or make up for ourselves and will generally include:
30ml Saline
Cohesive Bandage 5cm x 2m
Cohesive Bandage 7.5cm x 2m
Cohesive Bandage 10cm x 2m
Combine Dressing 20cm x 10cm.
Cotton gauze swabs (pack of 3)
Digital Thermometer
Eco-friendly p**p bag roll
Emergency Foil Blanket
Hypo allergenic tape
Nitrile gloves (pair)
Non-Adherent Wound Dressing 5cm x 5cm
Non-Adherent Wound Dressing 7.5cm x 7.5cm
2 Shears/Scissors
Skin cleaning wipes with cetrimide X 5
SMART Snake bite Bandage (pressure immobilisation bandage) X 2 ( about $10 - $12 )
Survival Wallet Includes:
Adhesive dressings
Wound Closure
Probes (pack of 5)
Tick Removal Spoon
Tweezers
Snake & Funnel-web bite instruction card.
Cost: depending on where you get the components from $80 up to $200.
It is important that you research available snake bite first aid kits for pets and purchase one that fits your needs (e.g. for home use, travel use, remote use, etc). However, most kits for pets are standardised, and will provide you with the necessities to apply first aid in the instance of a pet snake bite. It is possible to make these kits up yourself using the list above, if nothing else get the Smart Snake Bite Bandages! Always carry a mobile phone, and have the vets number saved for the emergency.
How do you know it’s a Snake Bite?
Snake bites are normally quick, the snake is often not seen by the pet’s owner. Both cats and dogs are usually bitten on, or around, the head, neck, and front legs when they check out the strange long creature. Snake fangs are best compared to a hypodermic needle, and it can be all but impossible to see the bite site, but often the animal will lick at the spot. If you see the snake and pet make contact then assume that is where it is bitten, and apply the pressure immobilization to that leg, sometimes both! Particular attention should be paid to the dog or cats’ nose and ears, which are often free from fur, allowing for the snake fangs to inject at these sites. You can’t apply a compression bandage to the head or face so getting to the vet is really important!
If you can, take note of the colour and patterns of the snake if you see it. If you have your phone, get a photo of the snake from a safe distance. This can aid identification but isn’t essential.
Do not attempt to catch, harm or kill the snake if it is alive - This can risk harm to you, and wastes critical time that is needed to administer first aid to your pet. An injured snake will be very defensive and needs veterinary help too, so Call Tableland Snake Catchers to assist with this.
Call your vet immediately, before attending to their location, in some rural areas you will have to drive to the available clinic, and on the Atherton Tablelands this can be over an hour away. The vet can advise if they are most appropriate to support you and will be able to gather necessary information prior to your attendance.
Symptoms of a Snake Bite in Pets
It is important to specify here that all animals will respond differently to snake bites, this is dependent on the species of snake, the pet, the size of pet and snake, health, age, and many other factors.
However, more broadly, symptoms of a snake bite in a dog or cat can include:
• Dilated pupils
• Weakness in hind legs
• Trembling
• Drooling and Pale gums
• Pacing around anxiously
• Restlessness and Panting
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Collapse straight after being bitten, and then act normally for a period of time
• Become comatose / unconscious
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, bite site
How to Apply Snake Bite First Aid for Pets
1. Remain calm and don’t panic. I know this is much easier to say then to do, however, keeping calm will soothe your pet and help minimise their distress and movement.
2. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, if possible (similar first aid techniques as recommended for people), do not use a tourniquet or restrict blood flow.
3. Then apply a further elasticised or firm bandage - start at the toes and move up the limb as far as can be reached. Apply tightly but without stopping blood flow.
4. Ensure that the bandage passes the over the snakebite, and as far up the inflicted limb / area as possible.
5. Splint the limb including the joints on either side of the bite and keep the animal quiet.
6. If you don’t have a bandage handy, any stretchy material will do (torn up t-shirts, stockings or other fabric can be used as a bandage).
7. Once the bandage is on, mark the bite site on the bandage with a pen or other substance that will leave a mark. If you’ve got nothing else on you, putting a little mud or dirt on the bandage will work
8. If you do not know exactly where the bite mark is, do not waste time trying to look for a bite mark or clean the bite site with anything.
9. Keep your pet calm and quiet, movement helps the venom spread around the lymphatic system, so the less they move, the more time you have.
10. Carry your pet to the car, do not allow your pet to walk if you can help it. Again, any restriction of movement helps.
11. Transport your pet to a vet immediately, and we definitely recommend calling the clinic to let them know you are on the way. They may also provide additional instructions.
Other Helpful Items for both people and pets.
Frequently, snake bites do occur in rural or remote areas that may make it challenging for the pet to be treated. Working dogs sometimes run over snakes whilst herding cattle and unless you see the incident the dog may carry on normally for some time before suddenly showing symptoms. Below are some helpful items to assist with your safety and well-being, regardless of location:
• Satellite or mobile phone (to ensure communication access)
• Personal Locator Beacon
• GPS Tracking Device
• There is first aid training, snake bite first aid training and CPR training for animals’ available nation-wide.
A final reminder that this guide, never substitutes for the guidance provided from veterinary experts. I hope this guide has been able to offer you some reassurance and has helped you to be prepared in the instance of a snake bite to a beloved pet.
