Will a Possum Attack a Dog? A Pet Owner’s Guide to Safe Encounters

Understanding Possum Behaviour: More Fainting Goat Than Ferocious Beast

The other night, I was out for the last patrol of the garden with the ‘board of directors’. Fern, the spaniel, was doing her usual frantic zig-zagging, while Buster the Lab was, as ever, seeing if a biscuit had miraculously sprouted near the hydrangeas. Suddenly, Fern froze, hair up, low growl rumbling in her chest. My torch beam landed on a pair of eyes by the compost bin. A grey, pointed face stared back, looking utterly bewildered. A possum.

Now, before we go on, let’s clear something up. The creature we’re talking about, the one that looks like a giant, slightly startled rat and faints under pressure, is the North American Opossum. We don’t have them roaming the dales here in the Peak District, but many of our readers do, and the question of what to do when dog meets possum comes up a lot. The principles apply to any curious wildlife encounter.

The possum’s signature move isn’t aggression; it’s a piece of involuntary biological theatre called “tonic immobility,” or as everyone calls it, “playing possum.” When faced with a terrifying threat (like a barking spaniel), they don’t just pretend to be dead. They literally keel over in a comatose-like state that can last for hours. It’s a last-ditch effort to make a predator lose interest.

Before they faint, they might put on a bit of a show:

• Hissing and growling: A bluff to sound tougher than they are.
• Drooling excessively: This can make them seem sick or rabid.
• Showing their teeth: An opossum has 50 teeth, more than any other North American mammal, and they aren’t afraid to show them in a menacing grin.

But almost all of this is pure bluster. It’s a desperate attempt to say, “Please, for the love of all that is holy, leave me alone.”

So, Are Possums Actually Aggressive Towards Dogs?

Right, let’s get straight to the point over this hypothetical pint. Do possums wander around looking for a scrap with a dog? Absolutely not. They are naturally placid, solitary creatures whose main goals in life are finding snacks, finding more snacks, and avoiding becoming a snack themselves.

In short: a possum is far more likely to play dead than pick a fight with your dog.

Their instinct is to flee or hide. A confrontation with a dog is a massive, energy-sapping risk they would much rather avoid. Think of them less as a garden warrior and more as a shy, scruffy lodger who just wants to raid the bin in peace.

When a Possum Might Fight Back: The Cornered Animal Rule

Now, does that mean they are completely harmless? No, not quite. Like any wild animal, a possum has a breaking point. While they won’t initiate an attack, they will defend themselves if they have no other choice. This usually happens under two specific conditions:

1. When they are cornered: If your dog traps a possum against a fence, under a shed, or in any spot with no escape route, its flight-or-faint response might be overridden by a need to fight for its life.
2. When they are protecting their young: A mother possum with joeys on her back is a different proposition. Her maternal instincts can make her uncharacteristically bold and defensive if she perceives a direct threat to her babies.

Even in these rare cases, the ‘attack’ is a frantic, defensive flurry of scratches and bites aimed at creating an opportunity to escape, not to inflict serious harm.

The Real Dangers of a Possum Encounter (It’s Not Usually the Teeth)

Let’s say the worst happens and Fern gets too close, resulting in a scuffle. The actual risk of serious injury is very low, but there are a few things to be aware of.

Bites and Scratches

A possum bite can happen, but it’s typically shallow and a result of a defensive snap. While it’s unlikely to cause major damage to a dog the size of Buster, it can certainly be painful and, like any animal bite, carries a risk of infection. A quick trip to the vet for a clean-up and a check-over is always the sensible choice.

The Disease Question

This is where most of the myths live. People worry about rabies, but here’s a deep, non-obvious insight for you: possums are highly resistant to rabies. Their naturally low body temperature makes it very difficult for the virus to survive. While not impossible, it’s incredibly rare.

The more realistic, albeit less dramatic, risks are:

• Fleas and Ticks: Like any wildlife, possums can carry these parasites, which can then hop onto your pet.
• Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial infection spread through urine that can affect dogs. It’s another good reason to keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date.

What to Do if Your Dog Corners a Possum

If you find your dog in a standoff with a possum, stay calm. Shouting and panicking will only escalate the stress for everyone involved.

1. Control Your Dog: The absolute first priority. Leash your dog immediately and remove them from the area. Take them inside.
2. Give the Possum Space: Leave the possum alone. Don’t poke it, try to move it, or stand over it. It needs to feel safe before it can make its escape.
3. Wait and Watch: If it was ‘playing possum’, it will ‘come back to life’ and move on once it feels the coast is clear. This could take a few minutes or a few hours. Just leave it be.
4. Check Your Pet: Once your dog is calm, give them a thorough check for any bites or scratches, just in case.

The Mud Test: How to Possum-Proof Your Garden

Preventing these encounters is far better than managing them. It’s all well and good reading about securing your property, but does it pass The Mud Test after a week of rain and a determined badger? Here’s what actually works:

• Secure Your Bins: Possums are drawn by an easy meal. Use bungee cords or place a heavy object on your bin lids.
• Don’t Leave Pet Food Out: This is an open invitation. Feed your pets indoors and don’t leave bowls out overnight. Buster would clean his bowl anywhere, but Margo the cat is partial to dining al fresco, so we have to be strict.
• Block Off Hiding Spots: Use chicken wire or solid boarding to block access to the spaces under your shed, porch, or decking.
• Clear Away Fallen Fruit: If you have fruit trees, regularly clear up anything that has dropped to the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions About Possums and Dogs

Can a possum kill a small dog?
It is extraordinarily unlikely. A large, cornered possum fighting for its life *could* potentially inflict serious harm on a very small toy breed, but this is a worst-case, vanishingly rare scenario. For the vast majority of dogs, the possum will come off far worse.

My dog killed a possum. What should I do?
First, check your dog thoroughly for any injuries. Second, make sure the possum is actually deceased and not just in a deep state of tonic immobility. You can gently nudge it with a long-handled rake from a distance. If it is dead, use gloves and a shovel to dispose of it in accordance with your local council’s guidelines.

Are possums good to have around?
From a purely ecological standpoint, yes. They are little cleaning crews. They eat snails, slugs, insects, and are particularly good at hoovering up ticks, which can help reduce the risk of Lyme disease.