Snake Season Has Started Early in Victoria: How to Protect Your Dog and Cat

Updated October 2026. Snakes are already active in Victoria this spring. If you think your dog or cat has been bitten, keep it calm and still, carry it, and go straight to the nearest vet, calling ahead. Don't wash the bite or apply a tourniquet. Fast treatment gives your pet the best chance.

Key takeaways

• A South Gippsland snake catcher says snakes emerged about two weeks earlier than last year, with callouts every two or three days.
• Around Melbourne, the snakes you're most likely to meet include the eastern brown, tiger and red-bellied black snake, along with copperheads.
• Signs of a bite can include sudden weakness or collapse (sometimes followed by apparent recovery), vomiting, trembling, dilated pupils and paralysis.
• Treat every suspected bite as an emergency, even if your pet seems fine.
• Grass seeds, allergies and ticks are also common spring vet claims.

Has snake season started early in Victoria?

Local reports suggest it has. On 1 October 2026, the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times reported that snake catcher Kevin Girstun believes the season "actually started earlier this year". He said snakes came out of winter brumation roughly a fortnight sooner than last year, and he is getting a callout every two or three days. Warmer days bring snakes out to bask, hunt and look for mates, and curious dogs are often the first to find them.

Which snakes are common around Melbourne?

Victoria has many venomous species, but a handful account for most encounters around Melbourne. This summary draws on RACV's guide to snake safety in Victoria:

You don't need to identify the snake to get help, and you should never try to catch or kill one.

How can I protect my pet from snakes?

In the yard

• Keep lawns mown and clear away rubbish, timber, rock piles and sheet metal where snakes shelter.
• Store pet food and birdseed in sealed containers, as spilt food attracts rodents, which attract snakes.
• Trim overhanging shrubs and avoid leaving water sitting in pot plant saucers and blocked gutters.
• If you see a snake, bring pets and children inside and call a licensed snake catcher.

On walks

• Keep dogs on a lead near long grass, creeks, wetlands and bush tracks.
• Stick to cleared paths and don't let your dog dig under logs or rocks or investigate holes.
• Be extra alert on warm, sunny days, when snakes are more likely to be out.
• Keep cats contained, which also keeps them within most councils' curfew rules.

What are the signs of a snake bite in dogs and cats?

Bites are often hard to see, especially under fur. The RSPCA lists signs that include:

• sudden weakness followed by collapse, sometimes with an apparent recovery
• muscle twitching or shaking, and reduced blinking
• vomiting, and loss of bladder or bowel control
• dilated pupils
• difficulty breathing or fast breathing
• paralysis, often starting in the back legs
• bleeding from the nose, mouth or bite site, or dark or bloody urine
• not eating, especially in cats.

A pet that collapses and then seems to recover still needs a vet urgently.

What should I do if my pet is bitten by a snake?

This first aid is based on advice from the RSPCA and the Animal Poisons Centre:

1. Keep your pet calm and as still as possible. Movement can spread venom faster.
2. Carry your pet instead of letting it walk. Use a carrier for cats and small dogs.
3. Don't wash the bite site, and don't apply a tourniquet. Don't cut or suck the wound or put anything on it.
4. Remove the collar if the bite is on the face or neck, in case of swelling.
5. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet on the way so they can prepare, then go straight there. If you're far from a vet and the bite is on a leg, the Animal Poisons Centre suggests a pressure immobilisation bandage from paw to the top of the limb, firm but not too tight.
6. Don't chase the snake. If it's safe, take a photo from a distance, but never touch it, even if it looks dead.

How much does snake bite treatment cost?

Treatment can involve antivenom, hospitalisation and intensive care, so bills add up quickly. Pet insurer CoverMy Pet says treatment "typically costs up to $5,000", according to Pet Industry News (2 October 2026). Finder, citing 2025 PetSure claims data, put the average snake bite claim at $2,447, with severe cases running far higher. Costs vary with your pet's size, the snake and how quickly treatment starts. Never let cost delay a trip to the vet: ask about payment options when you call ahead.

What other spring risks should Melbourne pet owners watch for?

CoverMy Pet's data shows spring vet claims climb between September and November. The most common are allergies, skin rashes, grass seed injuries and infections, ticks, and snake bites, with Victoria second only to New South Wales for spring claims. "Grass seeds and ticks can hide under the coat for days until serious symptoms appear," said general manager Grant Pugh.

• Grass seeds: Check paws, between toes, ears, eyes and armpits after every walk, as RSPCA NSW also recommends. Head shaking, sudden sneezing, limping or licking a paw can mean a seed has lodged. See your vet, as seeds can migrate under the skin.
• Allergies: Pollen season can trigger itchy skin, paw licking and ear infections. Read our guide to itchy dogs and spring allergies in Melbourne.
• Ticks and fleas: Keep parasite prevention up to date and check your dog's coat daily, especially after bush or coastal walks. See a vet urgently for wobbly back legs or breathing changes.

Frequently asked questions

When is snake season in Victoria?

Snakes become more active as the weather warms in spring and stay active through the warmer months. In 2026, local reports say snakes emerged around two weeks earlier than last year.

Should I wash a snake bite on my dog?

No. Don't wash the bite site, apply a tourniquet, or cut or suck the wound. Keep your pet calm and still, carry it, and go straight to a vet.

My dog collapsed and then seemed fine. Was it a snake bite?

It could be. Sudden collapse followed by apparent recovery is a recognised sign of snake bite. Take your dog to a vet immediately, even if it seems normal.

Can cats get bitten by snakes?

Yes. Cats may hunt or play with snakes. Signs can include weakness, dilated pupils, vomiting and not eating. Keeping cats contained reduces the risk.

How much does it cost to treat a snake bite in a dog?

Costs vary. Pet insurer CoverMy Pet says treatment typically costs up to $5,000, and severe cases can cost more. Don't delay treatment because of cost. Ask your vet about payment options.

Sources

• South Gippsland Sentinel-Times: Snake season starts early (1 October 2026)
• RACV: Snake safety in Victoria
• RSPCA Knowledgebase: My pet has been bitten by a snake, what should I do?
• Animal Poisons Centre: Snakes
• Pet Industry News: Allergies, itchy skin and snake bites lead spring vet claims (2 October 2026)
• Finder: Tick and snake season is here (September 2026)
• RSPCA NSW: Pet reminders for spring