Our cat Jade loves my Vincent

[PandaBoo]

I do not let my cats anywhere near my ball pythons. Predator and prey from both sides. Either the cat will bite the snake, or one day, one of the snakes will mistake the curious paw for prey and then strike and constrict - and then it won't be so funny.

I know it seems cute, but it's really not safe for either of them.

I'm aware of the risks for it, that's why I said I keep a super watchful eye on the two and I'm always holding Vincent very closely to me. Our cat Jade generally knows better than to attack anything as we have two ferrets in the house as well that run around with the cats, although I won't be letting the ferrets run around with Vincent at all. Vincent is a pretty docile snake so I'm not terribly worried, but thanks for the concern. :]

I completely agree, there is too much chance for something to go wrong. Your cat looked very ready to eat your snake. Animals can be very unpredicatable, and as cute as it is to watch, you're taking an unnecessary risk with your snake and your cat.

As stated in the reply above this one, Jade generally knows better because we used to have to correct him about a lot of things, now he's pretty tame. He's been around ferrets, rabbits and mice and has not yet once attacked them. I do keep a watchful eye on them and I don't let them interact all the time, thanks for the advice though. :]

My cat and dogs always want to follow me and that includes into the snake room. However they are restricted from it and if they attempt to come in and I yell at them, they leave. The cat does enjoy watching the feeder mice though.

I only let Jade near Vincent, again when I'm holding him close to myself. I don't let our other cat near Vincent because he has a weird temperament and is known to freak out about small things. I know a bit about cats and Jade actually rubs his head against Vincent in a light headbutt sort of way (even lighter against Vincent) like he does the rest of my family, it's a way of a cat showing affection. In any case, I still watch them very closely. :]

Like I said in another thread, all my cats and my dog are all prohibited from my room. Keep in mind I have a very special bond with one of my cats but even she isn't allowed into my room anymore

Snakes and cats/dogs should never meet.. or interact in any way. If you are holding the snake and the cat is on the ground. fine. but letting a cat get inches to a snake or even let it TOUCH the snake like yours did is not a good idea.

Cats aren't slow. they are quick as lightning and they can do serious damage in a flash, before you can even react if they want to. even if they are declawed, they would still be able to deliver fatal bites to a small snake (like yours) instantly

I only say this because it would be a shame for anyones snake to get hurt because of something preventable.

just my 2 cents

I appreciate the advice and the concern, but I still think that part of it depends on the temperament of both animals. Both my snake and cat are very docile and have mild temperaments, so I'm not really that worried about it. He treats Vincent like he treats our ferrets and is generally a very relaxed cat. I'll continue to keep a super watchful eye on the two whenever they get close to one another. :]

Good good! I admit when my snake is hanging out on my lap on the couch, the cats are in the same room as me. But I don't allow them up with me. I worry about my dog getting to the snake the most - she gets put in her kennel. It's awesome you have such a docile snake. With mine, I guess I just don't forget he still is a snake and can be unpredictable.

I only allow the more stable of our two cats around Vincent, our orange tabby has a history of being skittish and freaking out over small things. Jade's been around small animals and has never attacked any of them (ferrets, rabbits and mice), the most he ever did was paw at them and rub his head against them to scent them like he does the rest of our family. Thanks for your input. :]

I have no idea if this will affect a snake or not but just the saliva from a cat can kill a bird. Just be careful

Jade doesn't have a history of biting animals or humans, even when he was a kitten. Thanks for the fact tough, I'll keep it in mind. :]