Snakes and kittens, any experience?

[Blitzjg]

So I have an adult corn snake, a 9 month old BP, and two kittens, about 8 and 11 months. I have been reluctant to handle my snakes since I got these kittens. One kitten is shy enough that I don't think she would even be curious, but the boy is quite curious, anytime I interact with the cages.

I was curious if any of you have been in this situation and how you handled it.

Obviously the safest and easiest of handling solutions would be to lock the boy in another room when I'm handing the snake. Is there any scenario where they could become uninterested in each other? The kitten may become less interested as he matures, but for now I am not sure if there are better ways to handle the situation.

I had the BP with me while in my la-z-boy once and Ramza (male kitten) was all up in our business, atop the chair, on the chairside table, and I did my best to keep him away, but I'm sure it was stressful for Pit (BP).

[Bluebonnet Herp]

Cats and snakes tend to have bad experiences with one eating the other depending on size ratios, so I wouldn't expect anything where they just tolerate each other. (My adult cats see my BPs as toys, so don't get your hopes up for kittens...)
That all said, you can probably handle your snakes with your cats in the same room, just keep them from getting too close to each other.

[colton62]

Have you seen the video on YouTube where the lady lets her huge boa cuddle with her cat? Lol. I think like python minion said though that most of the time they have bad experiences. I don't own any cats but my girlfriend does and I think anything that moves they'd try to play with and that wouldn't be good. On the other hand my dog loves animals and sniffs and has to be around my leopard gecko when it's out and loves my brothers hamster.


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[kylearmbar]

It depends on the cat, I have one that will try to bop the smaller snakes on the head, and a different cat will lick and want to cuddle with them, if its a larger snake I wouldnt handle them around the snakes, they might try to eat them.

[Kat_Dog]

My cat is 3 years old and wants to hunt and kill my snakes, and she would if I gave her the chance. I know that if any of my snakes got out, that would be the end of it.

As long as your viv is secure(which it should be anyways) and you're extra careful or lock the cat up during handling time, you should have no problems.

I wouldn't think your cat would grow out of it until they're elderly, even then, I wouldn't expect it.

[barbie.dragon]

I would say do not let your cat out with your snake. Ever. Even if the cat is playing she or he can hurt the snake. I would never ever trust my cat with my snake. It is better safe then sorry

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

The cat is not the one I would worry about, over the years several people have come on the forum asking for help after their cat inflicted severe lacerations to their snakes.

Whether cats want to play, act out of curiosity or decide to hunt the results can be disastrous.

[Wamba681]

A fair warning, from what I've read before on other forums regarding snakes and cats.. if you're using tanks as vivs, and have mesh screen tops, be careful. Some times the cats will like to sit on top of the tanks and collapse in the mesh on the lid (even the metal ones!). So, keep that in mind.

[vangarret2000]

A fair warning, from what I've read before on other forums regarding snakes and cats.. if you're using tanks as vivs, and have mesh screen tops, be careful. Some times the cats will like to sit on top of the tanks and collapse in the mesh on the lid (even the metal ones!). So, keep that in mind.

I have heard stories like this and even know someone it actually happened to. Make sure your cats can never be in your reptile room unattended.

I haven't had personal experience with cats and snakes together but I have had lots with dogs and known others to have cats and snakes. From that I find dogs generally aren't an issue if handled responsibly around snakes. I used to foster dogs, so I have had a wide variety around my snakes with no incidences. They majority could be near them. The odd couple I had to keep completely away. There is still always a chance something could happen with any animal so always be cautious.

I have heard many stories where cats have harmed snakes though. All of them have been from them breaking into the tank though. If you are handling your snake in front of your cat just don't let the cat near it and there shouldn't be any issues. If you think you won't be able to handle your snake without the cat coming near, then don't handle them at all when the cats are there or stay in a different room.

[Pythonfriend]

cat stands for "claws and teeth". they are predators, and not nearly as domesticated as dogs. nothing against cats, i like cats, but they play nice and behave like kittens only at home or around humans. if you let them outside or dont pay attention or if they get carried away, they will hunt down and kill other animals.