Can a Black Widow Kill a Dog?
- February 7, 2023
- Dogs
- Roger Miller
In the wild, there are many enemies to your little dogs that we, as pet owners, should beware of.
Animals, diseases, dangerous food, and more, are just some of the factors that might kill our dogs if we fail to protect them properly.
But can a black widow kill a dog? We all know black widows – they are big, hairy, and frankly scary, so it is fair to us to ask ourselves these questions.
Let Your Pet, Your Love elaborate on what science says about this matter.
Quick Pet Answer
Black widow bites could kill dogs depending on the size, age, and general health conditions of your canine. Small dogs are in more danger than large dogs.
Can a Black Widow Bite Kill a Dog?
Yes – black widows are venomous animals and with their bite, they can kill small dogs without any problem.
It depends on the size of the dog and the nature of the bite. At first, the bite of the black widow will simply cause tissue damage, but over time, other really bad situations might take place.
The venom of the black widow introduces dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate, and enkephalins into your dog’s system.
This can cause rigid muscles, paralysis, and, ultimately, death. In general, bites of certain animals (Can a Tick Kill a Dog?) will always be directly prejudicial to your dog.
Can a False Widow Kill a Dog
Unlikely – false widows are not as venomous as black widows. In fact, the bite of a false widow might only cause medium pain and nothing more.
They don’t have the same toxins as black widows, so, in general, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to false widows, but it is always recommended to ask your veterinarian so they can discard potentially deadly problems.
Can a Black Widow Kill a Puppy?
According to professional research, yes, a black widow can kill a puppy. Puppies have weaker immune systems, and fighting against the toxins of black widows is a real challenge for small dogs.
It doesn’t matter what breed, size or age your puppy is – if it got bitten by a black widow, it is imperative that you take it to the vet as soon as possible so you can prevent certain diseases that will cause them a lot of harm and, ultimately, death.
Can a Black Widow Kill a Large Dog?
Although black widow bites affect small dogs more than big dogs, there’s a slight chance for big dogs to die from black widow bites.
It all depends on the size and aggressiveness of the black widow spider, which only attacks if it feels threatened.
It is unlikely for some large dogs to die from a single black widow bite, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other diseases to watch out for.
As a rule of thumb, if your dog got bitten by a black widow spider, the best course of action is to take them to the vet as soon as you have a chance.
How Dangerous Are Black Widows to Dogs?
Not all dogs will present severe reactions to black widow bites, but most of them will. Muscle tremors, paralysis, and in severe cases, death, are some of the main things that you must watch out for.
At the end of the day, it is important to take care of our dogs in a way that prevents them from getting close to black widows.
In short words, black widows are always really, really dangerous to dogs. Even if they don’t cause death to them (which is something that we hope doesn’t happen), the venom of these spiders will always represent a great danger to dogs of all sizes, breeds, and types.
How Fast Can a Black Widow Kill a Dog?
The time it takes for a black widow spider to kill a dog varies based on multiple factors, such as the dog’s size and health, the amount of venom delivered, and the bite location.
In severe cases, death may occur in a matter of hours – just 3 to 4 hours can be enough for the venom to cause death to small dogs.
Early veterinary intervention, however, can often reduce the impact of the venom and help save the dog’s life.
How Do I Know if My Dog Got Bit by a Black Widow?
There are five things that you must watch out for to know if your dog has been bitten by a black widow:
- Swelling and tenderness at the bite location.
- Uncontrollable shaking and rigidity in muscles.
- Increased breathing and heartbeat rate.
- Inability to move limbs or control movement.
- Clumsiness and trouble walking or standing.
Sometimes, it is fairly hard to determine whether a black widow has really bitten your dog, or another kind of spider did it.
If you believe that there is a black widow wandering around the places that your dog frequents, and you witness any of the aforementioned symptoms, then go to the vet as soon as you have a chance.
What to Do if a Black Widow Bit Your Dog?
It’s hard to face black widow bites, but if you act rapidly, then you might save your dog’s life in no time. If a black widow bit your dog, this is what you have to do:
- Get veterinary care right away: stop reading this article and go to your local veterinarian as soon as you have a chance.
- Minimize movement and keep your dog calm to slow the spread of venom: prevent your dog from moving violently, so the venom spreads more slowly – you cannot do anything to remove the toxin by yourself.
- If available, bring the spider or a piece of its web for identification: if you or your dog killed the spider, it is advisable to bring it with you so your vet can perform further identification and evaluations.
- Keep the bite area clean and elevated: prevent the bite area from getting dirty at all costs.
- Follow your veterinarian’s guidance and give any prescribed medication: if your dog survives, follow the prescribed medication guidelines as closely and urgently as indicated.
Pet Recap: Can a Black Widow Spider Bite Kill a Dog?
Yes, black widow spider bites can kill dogs. It is important to act fast and firmly if you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a black widow.
And, although small dogs are most prone to face big problems when it comes to black widow bites, big dogs are not always safe.
Continue learning about vet tips to keep your dog safe (Can Dogs Eat Miso Soup?) here at Your Pet, Your Love!
FAQ
Can Large Dogs Survive a Black Widow Bite?
It depends on the amount of venom injected, the size of the spider, and the current health state of your dog. Most times, large dogs will survive black widow bites without problems.