If you have a cat you know that they like to chase things, whether real or imaginary! Flying bugs and insects are just one of the many things that both indoor and outdoor felines fancy chasing.
But is it safe for them to eat their flying prey? The answer is that it depends! “Internal parasites are not a [big] concern with ingestion of insects,” says Dr. Katie Grzyb, DVM. “The danger from ingesting insects is very small.”
In other words, cats are unlikely to develop worms or an infection simply by ingesting bugs. But, insects can irritate your cat’s stomach, and diarrhea and vomiting are likely side effects if your cat resides outdoors and adores chomping on bugs.
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These side effects are usually transitory, but be sure to seek help for your pet if the symptoms linger. Not all cats are allowed to roam, so what about the bugs that cats play with indoors? Should an owner worry if their pet ingests a creepy crawly?
The good news is that the risk of illness from eating indoor bugs is small, even with bugs that have ingested insecticide or bug spray. Your cat would have to eat an unusually large amount of poisoned bugs for the toxins to have any ill effects. That’s good news!
However, due diligence is still required whenever you use substances strong enough to kills bugs and insects. You want to avoid any products that contain pyrethroids or pyrethrins as these chemicals have been known to cause seizures and tremors in cats.
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Keep in mind that just because your cat loves chasing bugs and stalking insects, there’s no guarantee that it’s a tempting snack! Kittens especially are wired to hunt and running after bugs is one way to satisfy this instinct.
The next time your cat catches a bug he’s just as likely to decide that you should be the lucky recipient of his “gift!”
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I never really thought about this before, mostly because my cats are indoor cats but I do have some friends who have indoor/outdoor cats. One friend was actually telling me that her cat was stung by a bug he was trying to eat and she had to take him to the vet. I’ll be sure to share this article with her.
Aren’t our Fur babies as susceptible as we are, and just like humans they have to ingest a lot to be affected by bugs, They are created as creatures to live in the wild so they are unlikely to be affected greatly, but as yo say, safer than sorry!
I never really thought about this before, mostly because my cats are indoor cats but I do have some friends who have indoor/outdoor cats. One friend was actually telling me that her cat was stung by a bug he was trying to eat and she had to take him to the vet. I’ll be sure to share this article with her.
Aren’t our Fur babies as susceptible as we are, and just like humans they have to ingest a lot to be affected by bugs, They are created as creatures to live in the wild so they are unlikely to be affected greatly, but as yo say, safer than sorry!
I have never thought about it. But I bet a lot of the wild cats (that roam the streets) probably do eat a few bugs.
I have never thought about it. But I bet a lot of the wild cats (that roam the streets) probably do eat a few bugs.
Regardless, I don’t think it’s ideal to allow them to ingest bugs. We’ll never know what can happen and as you mentioned they usually vomit and get diarrhea.
Since I’m not a cat person I had no idea that cats ate bugs. Makes sense though. It’s good to know they aren’t too harmful if they do decide to munch on creepy crawlies.
I don’t think eating bugs by cats are not safe for them.
I had no idea about this! I’m glad to know it, sometimes I caught my cat ate a few bugs.
Thanks for the info! My cats eat everything they see on the floor. They are like two goats! lol
Regardless, I don’t think it’s ideal to allow them to ingest bugs. We’ll never know what can happen and as you mentioned they usually vomit and get diarrhea.
Since I’m not a cat person I had no idea that cats ate bugs. Makes sense though. It’s good to know they aren’t too harmful if they do decide to munch on creepy crawlies.
I don’t think eating bugs by cats are not safe for them.
I had no idea about this! I’m glad to know it, sometimes I caught my cat ate a few bugs.
Thanks for the info! My cats eat everything they see on the floor. They are like two goats! lol
Our cat has brought us gifts. I wish it was just bugs…though those I don’t want either.
We don’t have cats at home, though I would love having one as they are such a cute creature and a wonderful pet option anytime. This is such a great information as they usually keep chasing insects & bugs and it is good to hear that there is nothing to be worried about it!
Our cat has brought us gifts. I wish it was just bugs…though those I don’t want either.
We don’t have cats at home, though I would love having one as they are such a cute creature and a wonderful pet option anytime. This is such a great information as they usually keep chasing insects & bugs and it is good to hear that there is nothing to be worried about it!
I always wondered about this since my dog always chases bugs and flies and tries to catch them. This was good information!
I always wondered about this since my dog always chases bugs and flies and tries to catch them. This was good information!
I’ve never wondered about this before! Very important – I wish I had a cat, they’re so cute!
I’ve never wondered about this before! Very important – I wish I had a cat, they’re so cute!
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