My cat ate a rattlesnake—what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. A rattlesnake bite can be deadly to animals.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note what, how much and when.
  3. Bring the packaging, if there is any.
  4. Keep your cat calm.
  5. Remove what is left.

Don't

  • Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give your cat any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Rattlesnake bites can be deadly to animals.[1] Cats may approach a rattlesnake because of their curious nature.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Bleeding
  • Death
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shock

Where it is found

  • Certain regions of the world
  • The United States
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How dangerous can a rattlesnake be?

A rattlesnake bite can be deadly to animals.[1]

Why might a cat approach a rattlesnake?

Cats may approach a rattlesnake because of their curious nature.[1]

Where are rattlesnakes found?

Rattlesnakes are found throughout certain regions of the world, including the United States.[1]

Sources

  1. Pet Poison Helpline

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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