Spider bites on cats may result from your cat playing with a spider that she finds in your basement or screened-in porch. Some spiders are quite poisonous, so it's a good idea to know the symptoms of and treatments for spider bites, so you can help your cat quickly in the event she's bitten.
Symptoms of Spider Bites in Cats
Although most spiders have fangs that are too short to cause serious injury to a cat, three spider species are considered venomous: the black widow, the brown recluse or fiddleback, and the hobo spider. None of them are particularly aggressive; they bite only in self-defense.
Spider bite symptoms present themselves well after the actual bite occurs, and symptoms will depend on the type of biting spider. If a black widow bites your cat, her symptoms can include muscle cramps, lethargy, restlessness and shallow breathing. If they are untreated, they can lead to paralysis of the cat's diaphragm, which can cause her to stop breathing and die. Symptoms of a black widow bite can take between one and six hours to develop.
Brown recluse or hobo spider bites cause tissue death at the bite location. Symptoms of a brown recluse bite can include an itchy red wound that has a white ring, bruising, nausea and fever. If left untreated, a brown recluse or hobo spider bite can cause deep tissue injury. Symptoms of a brown recluse or hobo spider bite can take between 10 hours and three days to show themselves.
Treatments for Feline Spider Bites
If you suspect your cat has been bitten by a spider, take her to your veterinarian's office or an animal emergency clinic for an evaluation. If possible, capture the spider and bring it along so your veterinarian will know what kind of spider bit your cat. This can help speed up treatment.
Your cat may receive muscle relaxants and pain relievers to ease her symptoms. She may also receive intravenous fluids
In the case of black widow bites, antivenin is sometimes given to counteract the spider's venom. Brown recluse or hobo spider bites may require steroids to reduce tissue damage, surgery to remove dead tissue or antibiotics to treat secondary infections that result from the bite. Full recovery from a spider bite can take up to a month.
How to Prevent Spider Bites
To protect your cat against spider bites, keep your home and yard as spider-free as possible. Dust and vacuum your home regularly, paying special attention to corners and crevices in which spiders can hide. Remove spider webs as soon as you find them, and don't allow your cat to explore closets, the basement or the attic if she isn't supervised.
Don't stack woodpiles near your home's foundation since they can be havens for spiders. Keep weeds under control since some spider species like to hide in tall grass or weeds.
If your home has been infested with black widow, brown recluse or hobo spiders, seek help from a professional exterminator.