Cats are so sweet when they bring you presents. Missing socks, little trinkets from around the house, dead bugs, living bugs, dismembered bugs, bug heads … cats really just love to harass those poor bugs. If they don’t simply play with them, they probably eat them, too.
But is it safe? Here’s what Dr. Tracey Peterson, an internal medicine veterinarian from Wexford, Pennsylvania, had to say about whether it’s safe for cats to eat bugs.
Why Do Cats Eat Bugs?
There’s a simple answer to why cats eat bugs: it’s in their DNA.
“Cats are natural predators,” says Peterson. “Anything they see as potential prey is fair game. This includes bugs.” Their instincts cause them to chase and possibly eat things that move, like bugs, or even things that look a little different from normal — like socks that aren’t put away.
Almost every cat will play with bugs (poor critters), but not all cats will eat them. Some cats just seem to prefer the chase and then lose interest once they’ve caught the bug.
Is Eating Bugs Normal?
Yes. It’s perfectly normal for Fluffy to hunt down that bug across the room, rip the wings off a box elder, or cronch on a June bug. Our furry feline friends can be, well, pretty vicious to bugs, but the fact is that cats are natural predators and have an instinct to hunt.
Generally, kittens and younger cats are more likely to exhibit this behavior. Older cats might be tired, lazier, or just not interested in the same creatures they used to hunt when they were younger.
It’s not a symptom of any larger issue like dementia or an illness, Peterson says—it’s very normal behavior all around.
iStock/Petra Richli
Do Cats Eat Bugs Accidentally or Intentionally?
Cats are usually very intentional about eating bugs. They tend to target things that move quickly and like to hide, like moths, flies, or spiders.
You’ve probably seen Fluffy tracking house centipedes or even following a trail of ants to eat the entire colony. It’s all about the thrill of the chase and then maybe a little snack.
Peterson says, “pretty much anything that moves is fair game!”
Pretty much anything that moves is fair game!
However, ants, gnats, and small flies may become accidental victims of your cat.
“Outdoor cats would have the risk of eating insects that normally live on blades of grass,” Peterson says. “Indoor cats, if they eat houseplants, could have exposure to common houseplant insects, like aphids, mealy bugs, or whiteflies.”
Your cat may also accidentally consume parasites, insect eggs, or larvae—more on that below.
Can Eating Bugs Hurt Your Cat?
Generally, no. But there are some exceptions.
Some bugs are worse than others
Some bugs might try to defend themselves and inadvertently injure Whiskers, like if they get stung by a bee they’re playing with, or bit by a tick. Whenever possible, you’ll want to help your cat avoid encountering these insects altogether (keeping your cat indoors is immensely helpful with this)!
About insect eggs and larvae
Cats can get worms — like roundworms or hookworms — from accidentally swallowing larvae by grooming their paws, where they may have inadvertently picked them up, or from “eating other larval hosts such as cockroaches,” according to VCA Animals Hospitals.
Cats can also contract tapeworms from eating fleas. It’s important to talk to your veterinarian about measures that can keep your cat safe, such as flea and tick medications, or dewormers, if necessary.
Fortunately for cats, hookworms and heartworms (contracted from mosquito bites) can be an issue for cats but are not seen as often as with dogs.
Quantity of bugs, and chemical exposure, are other concerns
In their quest for a multi-legged meal, your cat may inadvertently ingest bugs contaminated with pesticides or insecticides. Depending on the situation, this could be fatal to your feline, so it’s really important to be aware of your surroundings, especially if you have a curious outdoor kitty who likes to roam.
In large quantities, some bugs can also cause digestive problems.
“Any bug, especially if consumed in a large enough quantity, can cause gastrointestinal signs, including nausea, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea,” Peterson says.
You should also keep your cat away from anything that would be dangerous to humans, such as ticks, black widow or brown recluse spiders, wasps, and fire ants.
If you use glue or sticky traps, like fly paper, you’ll want to hang or place them well out of reach of your cat. Some of our feline friends may love to lick plastic and adhesives, but it’s an unhealthy habit and if ingested, can lead to gastrointestinal blockage, or worse.
iStock/Leoba
What About Cat Food Made From Bugs?
Some commercial cat food is made from insects—notably “black soldier fly larvae, mealworm larvae, and adult house crickets,” details a study that looked at insects in pet food.
If it sounds gross, don’t worry. Peterson says that cat food made from bugs is safe and even nutritious. However, the veterinarian notes, “any pet food, whether using crickets or another protein source, must be evaluated for the other ingredients and nutritional content.”
