Occasionally, opossums attack pets or even humans with their sharp, pointed teeth; however, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. These creatures steal chickens. They are passive in manner, shy away from confrontation and often âplay deadâ when confronted by a predator or another animal. However, they are only aggressive when provoked. They're All Thumbs . We have possums come to the back porch regularly to eat the cat food we have out. While possums are rarely dangerous, the opossum is a predator when it comes to cats. i cant tell if they've been fighting because my cats didn't do anything to the possum drinking from their water bowl on my porch. Animal, Professional Wildlife Removal and Animal These creatures are known to carry several diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, tularemia, and tuberculosis. To prevent that from happening, keep all garbage secured in bins, compost contained in underground cavities, and keep pet food picked up after your pet is done feeding. My 2 formally indoor cats now living in my backyard are visited by possums and raccoons. These critters are pesky, disrupting homes, gardens, chicken coops and areas meant for pets while looking for food. Opossum attacks are rare, but they do take place, which is why having a possum as a pet is not such a good idea. Cats and dogs are likely to avoid or even injure opossums in an encounter. Are possums dangerous to cats? but, opossums are no threat to cats, if that's what you want to know. But it may ease your mind to know that rabies is extremely rare in opossums. Even though they wonât eat your cat, possums can be dangerous to cats since they may transmit diseases. to Get Rid of Opossums, Opossum Call 07 3349 8572 or request a possum removal quote today. Opossums benefit humans in many ways, helping control a number of unwanted pests. While it is not a danger to humans unless provoked, it can do sizable damage to pets too. As for cats, cats may potentially kill younger rat-sized opossums, but adult opossums and cats have been seen to exhibit a mutual respect for one another. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. That said, in rare situations, possums will attack, specifically when they have to defend themselves much like any other species. We all know opossum are representatives of wild life, and such as they can harm our pets. I think they look cute, honestly. We have possums that come by every night. themselves. So if your dog messes with a possum, and the possum doesn't play dead, it might bite back. Opossums would be most dangerous to cat than humans because opossums when near a human would usually drop and play dead because they are afraid of us. They might get injured and ⦠The possumâs attack is probably their last line of defense against predators. This animal is the size of a small cat with over 50 teeth. Control, How All of us have heard of the term “playing It came into the house into the kitchen and cornered my 23lb cat,,so yea,,, possums are dangerous,, get rid of them ,,call the exteerninator! Cure All Pest Control is licensed to trap possums in Brisbane. Possums look a bit like large rats but they are marsupials, not rodents. The opossum will eat fresh meat or carrion and is often seen feeding on road kill. Simply not true, they are laden with fleas, I have seen them first hand, so this is not rumor. The thing with possums is that they can very often carry disease, which is probably what is going to kill your cat before a good old scrap will. It actually wants you to back away and give it a chance to escape. In fact, playing dead is a mode of defense that the opossum is traditionally associated with. And while possums certainly appear to be more dangerous when they are taking this posture, this is usually a bluff. Possums have the ability to kill a house cat, but in the same sense, cats have the ability to kill possums. These critters are pesky, disrupting homes, gardens, chicken coops and areas meant for pets while looking for food. The diet is varied including corn and poultry. Cats are also very clean animals and they can also be tick and flea carriers. No, possums do not eat cats. - Causes, https://www.animalwised.com/possums-as-pets-general-guidelines-and-tips-1401.html. Anecdotal Evidence Of Possum Attacks On Cats. Wildlife professionals work to restore normalcy in homes and yards when a possum outbreak occurs. PoSSuMS have FiFTY 50→ TeeTH! This article is purely informative. Home » Pest Killing Guides » Opossum Guides » Are Opossums / Possums Dangerous? Are Possums Dangerous? We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Removal, Emergency Directory, Opossum Possums are extremely gentle creatures and they are not aggressive in the least. ⦠So keep your cats away from them. Pests in terms of the diseases they spread to people and pets include TB, leptospirosis, coccidiosis, tularemia, spotted fever and other diseases. Are possums a danger to cats? If your children are playing in this type of area then there is a greater danger of being bitten by a poisonous spider or snake. common reaction is to pretend that they are via Flickr. Do opossums bite? The important thing to know is that cats are WAY faster and more agile than opossums. one of the most unusual creatures on the earth. Another tactic it might try is to hiss and bare its teeth. Opossums, or âPossums as they are often [â¦] How to identify a possum. Australian possums don't carry rabies as rabies isn't in Australia. Cats could pick up a disease from a possum by coming in contact with their feces and urine or their dead carcass. The opossum, otherwise known as possum, is a marsupial native to North and South America. It will look for food and then go on its way. If confronted by a predator, their Opossums typically do not attack your pets even if they are provoked. makes the predator believe that this rodent has do these animals fight? More than ANY mammal in north america... 4 FouR sharp pointy k9~fangs w\TeN"10 upper incisors" No other mammal in North America has more than 6!! Possums don't generally bother anyone or anything. They weigh between 4 and 15 pounds, and are 15-20 inches in length, not including their tail. Their natural defense mechanisms come into play when they are attacked. In this case, a possum is dangerous to a ⦠This causes the vast However, for cats ⦠This possum is the only marsupial that lives wild in the US. It is hard to find any wild stories or any real evidence that says that possums do eat cats. (Or fleas, etc.). Possums are nocturnal animals. Possums are usually awake at night so there is less interaction between humans and possums and therefore less danger. If your dog or cat attempts to provoke a possum or teases it somehow, the possum may not attack your dog straightaway because itâs a docile creature. Are opossums dangerous to cats, dogs, or other pets? Click to attach a photo related to your comment. An opossum has 50 teeth, all of which are as sharp as you may think. A Possible Threat: The Virginia/American possum, My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons, Why Is My Dog Bleeding From Its Anus? Their motion is slow and when in dangerous situation, because of their slowness, they will fall into a shock state so you get the picture when someone says he is playing possum. Opossums do not prey on cats or other larger mammals but will attack them if cornered, or if competing for food.. Will a possum kill kittens? More commonly, the pests pretend to be dead and emit an awful stench from their anal glands when frightened. Keep it inside, especially during nighttime, but also during the day. Toxoplasmosis, for example, is a disease that is often carried by cats, and can easily be transferred from the possum to your pet â¦