Poisonous spiders like the black widow or the brown recluse spider prefer dark, cool places. They build less attractive webs in dark corners.
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While Spider-Man may have developed superhuman abilities from a spider bite, our pets are unlikely to start spinning webs or crawling up walls after a spider bite. Spiders tend to be most active in late summer and early fall, leading to more unwanted encounters for our curious pets.
Dr. Lance Wheeler, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, provides insights into the treatment and prevention of spider bites.
Use your “spider sense”
A spider that is equally dangerous to pets and humans is the brown recluse spider, which can be recognized by a violin-shaped spot behind its eyes.
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There are numerous species of crawling spiders, but Wheeler says not all spiders pose a threat to pets.
“Although there are about 40,000 known species of spiders, only a few are dangerous to pets,” Wheeler said. “The brown recluse spider and the black widow are the most common venomous spiders in Texas and therefore probably the most concerning.”
You can recognize a brown recluse spider by its light brown color and the typical violin-shaped spot behind its eyes. The black widow is known for its dark colored body with a red hourglass shape on its abdomen.
Fortunately, it is rare for pets to be bitten by spiders.
“If your pet is bitten when you are not looking, you will most likely notice a little redness and irritation,” Wheeler said. “In rare cases, more serious symptoms such as fever and vomiting may occur.”
“If you see a spider on your dog and witness your dog being bitten, go to the nearest veterinary office immediately,” Wheeler said, adding that veterinary intervention is essential for pain relief, fluids, antibiotics and, in extremely severe cases, antivenom if the spider is venomous.
While venomous spiders cause the most complications, any spider bite can become infected and cause pain if left untreated.
Likewise, the symptoms of a spider bite are so common with other medical conditions that it can be difficult to determine if a spider was the cause.
“Although spider bites are a possibility, it is important to rule out other more common causes of these symptoms and begin treatment early,” Wheeler said. “These signs can easily be confused with other problems, such as allergic reactions, insect bites or minor skin infections.”
If you notice a small, red, swollen spot on your pet that does not improve within 24 hours or even gets worse, you should definitely see a veterinarian.
Weaving a safe web for your pet
Pets can encounter spiders behind or under furniture.
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The risk of spider bites can be reduced by ensuring that spiders are not present in your pet’s environment.
“Regular maintenance, such as checking different areas in the garage, dark corners and behind furniture for cobwebs, can reduce the likelihood of your pet encountering a spider,” Wheeler said.
If there are too many spiders to clean these undisturbed areas yourself, there are companies that can help you remove spiders from your home.
“There are many pest control companies that specifically advertise getting rid of spiders in homes,” Wheeler said. “A good way to remove spiders from the environment is to contact a professional.”
Additionally, by preventing unsupervised pet access to areas where spiders are likely to build their webs, you will greatly reduce the chances of your pet encountering a spider.
“Black widows and brown recluse spiders prefer dark and cool places,” Wheeler said. “Their nests are not the ones you see on sidewalks and in lighted areas; they build less attractive webs in dark corners.”
Wheeler recommends always supervising your pets when in a garage, shed or low-traffic area to ensure their safety.
While spiders can be intimidating, keeping a watchful eye on your furry friend and making sure dark, unoccupied areas are free of cobwebs can help keep your pet’s daily adventures fun and worry-free.
