Every dog owner that likes to spend time outdoors with their dog will know how incredibly important it is to always be on the lookout for potential dangers. Especially when hiking, the possibility of your dog coming face to face with a snake is high. This is why you will need to be extra careful and learn how to avoid snakes and even more importantly getting bitten by them.
The most important thing to remember when you are choosing to spend time with your dog outside is that it is up to you to take as many precautions as possible to avoid snakes. This could include avoiding lifting big rocks or cavities where a snake could be laying. If you are walking around an area where there is an increased chance of seeing snakes due to the tall grass or vegetation then you should always opt to keep your dog on a leash.
Being aware of your surroundings can also be extremely important. This will include listening around for any potential rattling or snake noise as well as looking ahead of you. In many cases, snakes will also quickly move away if they hear a lot of noise, so you could create a thumping noise with a walking stick to drive the snakes away.
If your dog does end up being beaten then treatment is incredibly important. In these cases, things can be more straightforward if you saw your pet being bitten or you can find a puncture wound, and a little bit harder if you are trying to figure out whether there was a snake attack or not. If your dog after a walk outside starts exhibiting the following symptoms and you were already suspicious about a potential snake attack then you should take them to the vet immediately.
Initial symptoms from a snake bite can include bleeding, skin discoloration, muscle tremors, shallow breathing, overall weakness, muscle tremors, and vomiting.
For venomous snake bites, you should seek veterinarian help as quickly as possible.
I already have a pitbull/German Shepherd mix that tangled with a copperhead. A few months ago, she spotted another snake (I don’t know what kind) but this time she was smart enough not to get within striking range of the snake.
At the moment, I have a back pasture that’s overgrown and I won’t let my dogs to go out there. To discourage snakes from coming into the areas close to my home, I keep the grass cut before it gets too high. That seems to be an effective deterrent.