My cat ate spiders – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet today

Call your vet today for advice – don't wait until signs appear. Most spiders are considered minimally venomous, but black widow and brown recluse spiders are among the most dangerous.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note what was eaten, how much and when.
  3. Remove what is left.
  4. Keep your cat calm.

Don't

  • Don't make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Don't give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Most spiders are considered minimally venomous.[1] Depending on the region in North America, more poisonous spider types exist, including black widow and brown recluse spiders.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
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 much spider is dangerous?

Ask your vet how much may be dangerous for your cat.

What signs should I watch for?

Ask your vet what signs to watch for.

How soon could signs start?

Ask your vet when to expect signs.

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

The same page for dogs →

Other things cats eat

StrychnineTea Tree OilTick CollarTinsel, Ribbon and StringTopical Fluorouracil (5-FU)Topical flurbiprofenTrue liliesWindshield Wiper FluidYeast DoughZincAcetaminophenAlcohol