Cats are very inquisitive creatures. If it moves, they’ll investigate (we’ve all seen a cat chasing a laser, right?) which makes them highly susceptible to bites from spiders. But are tarantula bites poisonous to cats? The good news is cats are very fast and can sense danger so are normally prepared to remove themselves rather rapidly from harm’s way. As always, please be aware that this article applies to tarantulas only and if in any doubt, contact your local veterinarian immediately.
The American Tarantula Society reports that bites from a tarantula are relatively harmless to cats. As their venom has been designed to incapacitate mice and birds, not larger mammals, the results would be similar to a wasp’s sting, giving minor irritation, slight pain and possible swelling around the bite area.
Now cats are generally smaller than dogs, so it goes without saying that a tarantula bite would be more venomous to them than a dog but let’s take a look into that theory a bit deeper starting with how a cat would get bitten by a tarantula in the first place. There are two main ways:
Inquisitive
As already mentioned, cats are extremely inquisitive animals. They may simply come across an escaped family pet tarantula for example.
Cats are also natural hunters so will take the opportunity to bat at a tarantula with its paw, trying to decipher what it’s all about and whether it can eat it.
Cats identify the weakest part of their preys’ body and will attack that same spot over and over until they win the battle. This isn’t to say that they definitely want to eat the tarantula. Far from it, cats enjoy “playing” and will often kill something just for something to do.
Unfortunately, this means that they will repeatedly come close to a tarantula’s fangs, giving the tarantula time to sink its fangs, and thus its venom, into the cat.
As we know, tarantula’s can be extremely aggressive and very defensive so certain genera are more likely to attack rather than flee. This mainly applies to Old World tarantulas.
Tarantula Attack
This is another option. Your cat may be minding its own business when out jumps a tarantula and gives it a good nip. Maybe the cat unknowingly walked over it or sat on it. Who knows.
The main point is your cat has now been bitten and you need to know how venomous the bite is. We have provided a list below on whether the tarantula is actually poisonous to your cat or not.
| Type of Tarantula | Poisonous to Cats |
|---|---|
| Antilles Pink Toe Tarantula – New World (Caribena Versicolor) | NO |
| Arizona Blonde – New World (Aphonopelma chalcodes) | NO |
| Baboon spider – Old World (Pterinochilus murinus) | YES |
| Blue Fang Tarantula – New World (Ephebopus cyanognathus) | NO |
| Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula – New World (Grammostola pulchripes) | NO |
| Chinese Bird Spider – Old World (Haplopelma schmidti) | YES |
| Cobalt Blue Spider – Old World (Haplopelma lividum) | YES |
| Electric Blue Tarantula – Old World (Chilobrachys sp.) | YES |
| Fringed Ornamental Tarantula – Old World (Poecilotheria ornate) | YES |
| Greenbottle Blue Tarantula – New World (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) | NO |
| Goliath Birdeater Tarantula – New World (Theraphosa Blondi) | NO |
| Gooty Sapphire Tarantula – Old World (Poecilotheria Metallica) | YES |
| Indian Ornamental Tarantula – Old World (Poecilotheria Regalis) | YES |
| Indian Rainbow Tarantula – Old World (Haploclastus devamatha) | YES |
| Indian Violet Tarantula – Old World (Chilobrachys fimbriatus) | YES |
| King Baboon Tarantula – Old World (Pelinobius Muticus) | YES |
| Mexican Red Knee Tarantula – New World (Brachypelma Hamorii) | NO |
| Neon Blue Leg Tarantula – Old World (Neo Birupes simoroxigorum) | YES |
| Pink Toe Tarantula – New World (Avicularia Avicularia) | NO |
| Pumpkin Patch Tarantula – New World (Hapalopus sp Colombia) | NO |
| Skeleton Tarantula – New World (Ephebopus murinus) | NO |
| Thailand Black Tarantula – Old World (Haplopelma Minax) | YES |
Please note that at time of writing there are over 1,000 discovered species of tarantula so we have only listed the top 22 that are common in the hobbyist community.
As you can see from our list, there really is no simple yes or no answer to the main question. New World tarantulas are a lot less aggressive than old worlds so providing your cat is in relatively good health and doesn’t have any underlying conditions, it’s a very simple no, they are not poisonous.
It should go without saying that if you keep tarantulas as pets, you should try to keep your cat and tarantulas as separated as possible anyway, as should they come into contact, one of them is going to get hurt.
If your cat does get bitten, she will have a painful bite mark which will look red and sore but can be alleviated with pain-killers if necessary. Fortunately, in general, there will be no long-term damage done to your kitty.
However, if your cat has been bitten by an Old World, this should be taken very seriously, and emergency veterinarian treatment is required.
Can a Tarantula Kill a Cat?
As previously discussed, the possibility of a New World tarantula killing a cat is very slim.
Unfortunately, it is more than possible for an Old World tarantula to prove fatal to a cat as it has much more powerful venom and is therefore highly toxic.
We have a separate article here regarding the differences between old world and new world tarantulas that may prove helpful.
How do I Know if my Cat Has Been Bitten by a Tarantula?
Your cat will show signs straight away if she is bitten by a tarantula. The two major obvious signs are redness and swelling at the site of the wound.
However, if a tarantula bite agitates your cat, it can lead to secondary problems. When swelling causes itchiness, your cat may try to scratch the area or start overgrooming.
Unfortunately, this can result in wounds appearing which can lead to secondary infections and even abscesses in the cat’s skin.
If your cat has any of the following symptoms, seek immediate veterinarian assistance:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Hypersalivation
- Vocalizations
- Tremors
- Stiffness of the abdomen
- Disorientation
- Tachycardia
- Seizure
- Unconsciousness
What Can I Give my Cat if she has Been Bitten by a Tarantula?
If your cat should unfortunately get bitten by a tarantula, there are a few things you can do to help her before seeking further assistance if necessary.
- Wrapped in a towel, use a cold compress to help with swelling (do not put ice directly onto the wound)
- Wash the affected area with non-fragranced soap to ensure that the bite does not become infected with bacteria
- Consider placing a collar on your cat to prevent her from scratching or grooming excessively and causing an infection.
In summary, as with our article on dogs getting bitten by a tarantula, this is a very genus specific question to answer. Always err on the side of caution and keep these animals apart as much as possible and if in any doubt, seek veterinarian advise.