Boas With Other Pets

[MasonC2K]

I feed my boas nothing but rats. But I've always heard of boas being garbage disposals and will eat almost anything you put in front of it. We have two cats. I'd like to bring the boa out more but she is to the size that I think she could eat a cat. I used to be more worried about the cats hurting the snakes but now it's the other way around.

Should i be worried? I am overthinking things here?

[JodanOrNoDan]

I would not put any living thing that the snake could swallow in front of any snake (that was not intended as food). Someone posted a vid of a boa eating a monkey yesterday. I am betting a boa would eat a cat no problem.

[ladywhipple02]

I agree. Accidents happen. The snake might spook the cat, the cat might spook the snake, and then they both get hurt... or worse. It's just not worth the risk.

[Reinz]

There is always some concern needed since we are actually dealing with wild animals. However, my two cats keep their distance and watch from across the room when any of my snakes are out.

Even when my Jungle Carpet was only 2 feet long, my cats left her alone. Now they will sit at the cages and watch the snakes sometimes when I'm in the snake room which is kept closed unless I'm inside.

I've never had the Boas slam the glass at the cats or dogs before, whereas they have at me when I walked by the cage. But those few incidents happened because they were hungrier than normal and probably saw my shadow and struck.

To answer your question more directly, unless you buy an adult, I don't think you have to worry for 3-5 years. Even then the cat will need to be in striking range. I doubt the Boa will go seek the cat out. Maybe per chance if you have the snake out close to feeding day.

If you get a young Boa the cat's curiosity will be satisfied by the time the snake becomes an adult.

Some folks may say keep them apart. That's much easier said than done. When I used to keep the snake room door closed at all times, my cats would come out of nowhere and shoot inside the room anytime I opened the door. Now, when I leave the door open when inside, the cats rarely come in because their curiosity is satisfied.

I wouldn't worry, but don't take your eyes off the situation if the two are in proximity of each other.

[AbsoluteApril]

My cats and boas are never in the same room together. Cats are kept out of the snake room and they get sequestered to the bedroom or bathroom when I bring the snakes out. Better safe than sorry. Both animals could do serious damage to the other.

[bcr229]

I don't have cats but I do have dogs (german shepherds). They are put outside or locked out of reach when any of my big snakes are out, and that includes the adult boas. It only takes a few seconds to secure them, and I really don't need to deal with emergency vet bills (or worse) for the critters.

[Craiga 01453]

My cat and snakes are never in the same room at the same time if the snakes are out. The cat will occasionally sniff around the snake/ferret room for a few seconds and loses interest. When the snakes come out the ferrets are locked in their enclosure and the cat goes into the bedroom. I just don't see any reason to risk it since it's such an easy thing to prevent.