Adder Season: Keeping Your Dog Safe on Highland Trails
The Highlands give us some of the best dog walking in the country, but at this time of year our trails have one native resident worth knowing about: the adder. It's the UK's only venomous snake, and while a bite is rare and adders are far more likely to flee than fight, it pays to know the risk and what to do. Here's a calm, practical guide.
Where and when you might meet one
Adders love to bask in the sun, so warm summer days are when they're most active. You're most likely to find them in the sort of open country we're lucky to have on our doorstep:
- Heathland, moorland and rough grassland
- Sunny, south-facing slopes and banks
- Woodland edges, dunes and old peat banks
They're shy, secretive creatures who would much rather slither away than take on a dog. Almost every bite happens when a snake is trodden on, sniffed at up close, or disturbed, so the risk is really about a curious dog nose-diving into the undergrowth, not an aggressive snake.
How to lower the risk on a walk
A few simple habits make adder encounters very unlikely:
- On warm days in open, sunny countryside, keep your dog on the lead through long grass, heather and undergrowth.
- Stick to the paths and discourage rummaging in log piles, rocks and thick vegetation where adders bask.
- Be extra aware on sunny mornings, when snakes come out to warm up.
Know the signs of a bite
Dogs are most often bitten on the face or muzzle (from sniffing) or the lower legs and paws. If your dog is bitten, you'll usually see:
- Rapid, painful swelling around the bite, coming on within minutes
- Sometimes two small puncture marks (often hidden under fur or swelling)
- Over the next hour or two: drooling, lethargy, vomiting, a wobbly walk, or fast breathing
A bite to the face can swell enough to affect breathing, so it's always treated as urgent.
What to do if your dog is bitten
Stay calm, and act quickly:
- Phone your vet straight away, even if you didn't see the snake. Tell them you're coming.
- Keep your dog as still and calm as possible. Carry them to the car if you can, as movement spreads the venom faster.
- If you can, keep the bitten area below the level of the heart.
- You can gently pour cool water over the wound to clean it.
Just as important, here's what not to do: don't apply a tourniquet, don't try to suck or squeeze out the venom, and don't rub or cut the wound. These do far more harm than good.
The reassuring news: with prompt veterinary treatment, the vast majority of dogs make a full recovery within a week or two. Speed is what matters most.
The Pawkies bit
Knowing our local trails, the conditions and the wildlife is a big part of walking dogs safely out here. We keep a close eye on where we're going and how the dogs are behaving, adders included, so every walk stays a happy one.
Want a walker who knows the Highland trails inside out? Book a walk or get in touch for a chat. 🐾