Will Opossums Attack Cats or Dogs?

If you are worried about whether an opossum will attack your cat, the short answer is no, not as a first choice. Opossums are defensive scavengers, not predators looking for a fight with pets or people. The real risk is a cornered opossum hissing, biting, or scratching if a cat, dog, or person gets too close.

Do opossums attack cats?

Healthy opossums do not hunt cats, and they do not stalk them the way coyotes or raccoons might. A cat that keeps its distance is not the target. Trouble starts when a cat corners an opossum under a deck, in a garage, or beside a pet food bowl, because the opossum will defend itself with teeth and claws.

Keep cats inside at night if opossums are active in the yard, and remove outdoor food sources. Pet food, bird seed, fallen fruit, and open compost all bring opossums close to porches and crawlspaces. If your cat has already had a face to face encounter, check for puncture wounds and contact a vet the same day, since bites can get infected fast.

Do opossums attack dogs?

Dogs are more likely than cats to trigger a fight because they chase, bark, and corner wildlife. An opossum does not go looking for a dog, but it will defend itself if a dog lunges at it. Small dogs face the highest risk because they can get too close before the dog owner sees what is happening.

Keep dogs on a leash at night, especially around sheds, decks, brush piles, and fence lines. Bring in food bowls after meals, and block access to any den site under a deck or porch. If your dog is bitten, wash the wound with soap and water right away and call your veterinarian. Rabies in opossums is rare, but any bite needs prompt medical attention because of bacteria and infection risk.

Will opossums attack humans?

No, opossums do not attack humans as prey. When people get hurt, it is because they try to grab, trap, or corner the animal. A scared opossum can hiss, bare its teeth, bite, and scratch, but that is a defensive reaction, not an attack on a person walking through the yard.

If you find one under a deck, in a garage, or near a trash can, give it space and do not approach it with bare hands. Keep children and pets away, close off the area, and wait for the animal to leave before sealing entry points. If the opossum is sick, trapped, or acting strangely during daylight, call animal control or a licensed wildlife remover instead of trying to handle it yourself.

How to keep opossums out of homes, yards, and under decks

Exclusion works better than trying to scare opossums away. Start by removing the things that bring them in, then block the hiding places they use. Opossums follow food, shelter, and easy access, so the goal is to cut off all three at the same time.

Remove the food sources

1. Store pet food indoors and feed pets only at set meal times.
2. Use trash cans with tight lids or locking bands.
3. Pick up fallen fruit, spilled seed, and outdoor grill grease.
4. Close compost bins and do not add meat, dairy, or oily leftovers.

Block entry under decks and into outbuildings

Use galvanized hardware cloth with a 1/2 inch mesh to seal openings under decks, porches, sheds, and crawlspaces. Bury the bottom edge 6 to 12 inches and bend it outward in an L shape so animals cannot dig under it. For wider gaps, fasten the cloth to treated lumber or metal framing, then secure all edges with exterior screws and washers.

If an opossum is already inside, leave one exit point open overnight and install a one way wildlife door or temporary flap at that opening. After the animal leaves, close the hole the same day. Do not seal a live animal inside.

Make the yard less attractive

Trim dense shrubs near the house, stack firewood off the ground, and keep brush piles out of the yard. Motion activated lights and sprinklers help at entry points, but they work best after food and shelter are removed. A clean yard gives opossums fewer places to hide, den, and travel.

What to do if you see an opossum near your pet

Stay calm and create distance. Bring pets inside, shut doors, and give the opossum a clear escape path. Do not yell, throw objects, or try to trap it by hand. If the animal is under a deck or porch, keep everyone out of the area until you can block access.

If an attack happens, treat the bite as a medical issue first and a wildlife issue second. Wash wounds with soap and running water for 5 minutes, then call a doctor or vet. After that, inspect the property for the entrance point, droppings, and signs of nesting so you can exclude the animal before it comes back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will opossums attack cats?

No, opossums do not hunt cats. They defend themselves if a cat corners them or tries to swipe at them. Keep cats indoors at night if opossums are active nearby.

Will opossums attack humans?

No, opossums are not aggressive toward people. They bite only when frightened, handled, or trapped.

Do opossums attack humans?

They do not attack humans as prey. A bite or scratch happens during self defense, so give the animal space and do not try to catch it yourself.

Do opossums attack dogs?

They do not seek out dogs, but they will fight back if a dog charges or corners them. Keep dogs leashed at night and block den sites under decks and sheds.