This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can cats eat bugs?” we will also discuss the major threats of consuming harmful insects, why your cat eats bugs, and what you can do if your cat eats a lot of bugs.
Can cats eat bugs?
Yes, cats can eat bugs. It is generally safe for your cat to eat bugs but we do not recommend allowing them to eat bugs. The bugs may have parasites in them which can cause problems for your cat.
There are several bacteria in the body of the bugs which can affect the health of your cat. Moreover, consuming a large number of bugs can lead to stomach upset in your cat.
What are the major threats of consuming harmful insects for your cat?
Following are the major threats of consuming harmful insects for your cat:
Parasites
The first problem is the parasites which are not healthy for your cat. Many insects like bugs consume infected feces with worms which can cause infection in your cat. The first system that it affects is the gastrointestinal system of your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of consuming worms for your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Pica
Pica is a medical condition in which your cat will eat non-food items such as rocks, mud, and paper. It is due to nutritional deficiencies but it can be caused by the worm in the stomach and intestine of your cat.
Bacterial infections
There are several bacteria on the body of the bugs which can cause infection in your cat. The most common bacteria found in the soil is clostridium which can cause tetanus in your cat. Although the chances of tetanus are low because clostridium is killed by the acid of the stomach.
If the clostridium manages to enter a wound on the surface of the body it can cause tetanus in your cat. Following are the major clinical signs of tetanus in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle spasm
- Difficulty in breathing
- Sawhorse condition
- Unable to drink and eat
- Lockjaw
It is a deadly condition in which the death of your cat is very near.
The next bacteria is salmonella which can cause food poisoning in your cat. It is not a major problem except the one thing which is the zoonotic impact of salmonella. It means it can spread from animals to humans.
Allergic reactions
Some insects can bite your cat if your cat tries to grab them. The most common example is the wasps which can cause allergic reactions in the body of your cat if it bites your cat. The allergic reaction can prove very deadly to your cat. Following are the major clinical signs of allergic reaction in cats:
- Breathing problems
- Loss of appetite
- Rashes
- Itching
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Hives
- Weakness
Stomach upset
The next thing is the stomach upset in your cat. The stomach upset is due to the indigestion of a large number of bugs. Following are the major clinical signs of indigestion in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bloat
- Fever
Why does your cat eat bugs?
Following are the reasons why your cat eats bugs:
Curiosity
Your cat is curious about moving objects. The cats observe the bugs for a long time and then they try to grab them. They want to check it and analyze it. You must have seen your cat observing something or trying to catch bugs.
It is a normal behavior of your cat and you do not need to worry about it. You just need to be sure whether the bugs your cat is trying to catch are venomous or non-venomous.
Protein source
Bugs are an excellent source of protein. Cats are obligate carnivores. They convert protein into glucose by a process called gluconeogenesis to generate glucose which is used to give energy to the body.
Your cat will eat bugs even if it is not hungry because it eats them to fulfill the protein requirement.
What can you do if your cat eats a lot of bugs?
If your cat eats a lot of bugs you just need to figure out what kind of bugs they were. If they were non-venomous bugs you can wait for the clinical signs to appear and then go to the vet. If the bugs are venomous you should immediately take your cat to the vet as he can save your cat. Your vet will treat your cat according to the condition of your cat.
Conclusion
This cat article will answer the major question, “Can cats eat bugs?” we also covered the major threats of consuming harmful insects, why your cat eats bugs, and what you can do if your cat eats a lot of bugs.
