When we talk about pets in general, most of the time we relate it to dogs, cats, rabbits, or some of the usual pets that most of us love to own. But did you know that there are people who are interested in owning reptiles as well, that too especially the snakes? So let us consider you are one of them who is keenly interested to own both of these dogs and snakes and are here to get some answers to all your questions that are running in your mind.
I’m sure you must be wondering and a little confused as to how would these two get along with each other? Should I be concerned? The answer is yes!! You got to be concerned.
To find out more about all these along with the other important questions like, do they kill each other if circumstances arise or how do you introduce a snake to a dog, Let’s dig in deeper. Don’t worry!! We have all these questions sorted out for you.
Do snakes like dogs?
No!! Snakes don’t like dogs to be around them and would rather prefer to stay away from them. Moreover, they are afraid of dogs and that’s because dogs are bigger, louder, and too enormous to be considered potential food, so snakes most often do not come in the way of dogs and they perceive them as a potentially deadly predator. As a result, when a snake sees a dog, it is more likely to flee or hide.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that dogs can be attacked by snakes if they contact or corner them, which can be lethal.
Now you might be having a question in your mind what are snakes really afraid of? The answer to that is snakes are cautious and secretive reptiles who are not aggressive. They rarely strike or bite with vengeance in mind. As a result of their shyness, snakes are afraid of hostile creatures like dogs. Snakes are solitary creatures who seek alone. As a result, when something tries to intrude into their zone, they normally prefer to flee rather than combat.
Do dogs like snakes?
Nope!! Dogs, regardless of size, are likely to dislike and attack snakes due to their lack of fear. Furthermore, dogs consider any strange creature as a threat to both themselves and their owners, so their first instinct is always to attack.
Dogs have been shown to be able to distinguish between a deadly rattlesnake and a harmless garter snake by smelling them, but rather than finding the smell frightening, they find it intriguing. As a result, rather than fleeing, dogs will most likely investigate, in turn putting them in great danger.
And if you are thinking about having a ball python and a dog together then make sure to keep the ball python in its own room and don’t let other pets in without supervision. Allow no contact between the snake and the dog whatsoever. If at all they come in contact then the ball python would be in serious trouble. Dogs could easily injure or kill snakes. Any injury inflicted by the ball python to the dog would most likely be less serious as compared to the python’s injury.
Will a snake eat a dog?
“Snake eats pet dog,” “Python swallows family’s pet cat whole,” and “Family discovers a python eating a pet cat in their front yard” are some of the terrifying headlines I’m sure all of us would have read in newspapers. Now you might be wondering if something similar could happen to your snake and beloved dog in your own home Isn’t it?
Calm down!! Nothing of those sorts going to happen. Your snake is not going to eat your dog. Snakes for example ball pythons grow to be 2-6 feet long when fully grown, too little to swallow a dog. A rodent weighing approximately half a pound is significantly more appealing to these snakes than an eight-pound chihuahua.
But when we consider giant snakes of several species which are unlikely to be a pet can and do attack dogs. Especially larger snakes, such as Australian scrub pythons, Burmese pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas, are more likely to do so. These huge snakes have a couple of characteristics that make them more likely to prey on your dog.
Using common sense is the greatest approach to keeping your pets safe from huge constrictors. Allowing dogs to roam freely outside is dangerous for a multitude of reasons, regardless of where you live. When out on on a walk, keep your pets on a leash.
The leash should make it simple to keep your dog under control (retractable leashes are not recommended). Keep your dog as far away from a snake as possible if you see one. Stay on clean, wide paths away from tall greenery when walking with your pet. Finally, always keep an eye on your pet when they’re out in the yard to avoid offending or interfering with wild snakes of any kind.
On the other side considering a captive ball python as your pet, it wouldn’t dare to attack and consume your dog, unlike its giant counterparts.
The size of a ball python makes it practically difficult to consume this sort of pet. The average ball python grows to be about 3.5 to 4 feet long and slim. A ball python can grow up to 6 feet long, however, this is uncommon.
Owners of ball pythons highlight the snake’s affinity for smaller prey as one of the advantages of owning one. By the time they reach adulthood, the biggest rodent they’ll eat is a 150-gram rat.
Ball pythons are also recognized for their gentle, submissive nature. When they are threatened, they wrap themselves into a ball rather than biting or constricting, as their name suggests. Because they are peaceful and easy to handle, they are considered good snakes for newbies.
None of this still doesn’t assure you that you should let your ball python interact with your pet dog which answers your question of having a ball python and a pet dog together. Despite pet owners’ claims that there are exceptions to every rule, dogs and snakes are unlikely to be friends. If you try to do this, even if it’s just for a picture op, you’re putting your python or any kind of pet snake that you have in grave danger.
How do you introduce a snake to a dog?
It’s best to keep dogs and snakes apart, but if you really want them to get along, take things slowly and don’t leave them alone together. Dogs and snakes are extremely unlikely to ever get along because, despite their frightening appearance, snakes are prey animals for dogs.
This being said, many dogs will find themselves with unlikely allies and pals since they have been domesticated and no longer have to worry about feeding themselves.
While dogs are extremely sociable and friendly, snakes are lone wolves who lack the ability to feel love or reciprocate affection.
So, while your dog may adore their new friend, a snake cannot feel the same way.
Below are some of the steps you can follow if you are still hell-bent to introduce your pet snake to your dog.
- Allow them to become accustomed to the other’s body scent by keeping them in the same room as the others (do not put them together yet).
- Allow your snake to remain in its enclosure and your dog to enter the room on a leash so that they can see each other but not get too near.
- Bring the dog back in on the leash after completing step 2 and separating them for a time (2-3+ hours), and let the dog come closer to the cage while backing away if the snake appears terrified.
- Once you’re sure your dog won’t hurt your snake, you can hold it in your lap while your dog is in the room, being careful not to allow the snake to bite the dog or vice versa.
Please remember that you should never place a snake on the ground with a dog and that you should never leave them alone together since they may and will harm each other in the correct circumstances.
Conclusion
So by now, I’m sure you all must be knowing that pet snakes don’t get along with dogs and vice versa but in some cases, you might see dogs trying to get friendly with the former as they are domesticated and don’t necessarily have to depend on themselves for food. All in all, it’s still a risk and if you are someone who is left with no choice and still wants to experiment can try the above tips mentioned.
And as mentioned earlier, dogs and snakes are best kept apart, but if you want them to get along, take things slowly and don’t leave them alone together.