Wolf spiders are venomous but not poisonous to dogs. Their venom is designed to paralyze small prey and is generally not medically significant to dogs. A bite from a wolf spider may cause mild to moderate pain, localized redness, swelling, and irritation in dogs, similar to a bee sting or ant bite. Most healthy dogs will experience only minor reactions that subside within a few hours to a couple of days. However, dogs with allergies, compromised immune systems, or pre-existing health conditions might have more pronounced reactions and should be seen by a veterinarian if bitten. While wolf spider bites are not usually dangerous, they can lead to bacterial infections if the bite is not properly cleaned and disinfected. Symptoms to watch for include localized pain, swelling, limping, agitation, drooling, and, rarely, difficulty breathing. Serious or life-threatening reactions are uncommon. Overall, wolf spiders do not pose a significant threat to dogs compared to more dangerous spiders like black widows or brown recluses, whose bites require immediate veterinary care. Therefore, wolf spiders are not poisonous to dogs, and their venom is usually not harmful except for mild local effects or rare allergic reactions.
