Can cats eat crickets?
In this cat blog, we will answer the major question, “Can cats eat crickets?” we will also discuss the major health benefits of consuming crickets, the major health hazards of consuming crickets, and what you can do if your cat ate a lot of crickets.
Can cats eat crickets?
Yes, cats can eat crickets. Crickets are small insects that are not poisonous to your cat. Moreover, it has protein, fiber, and iron which are beneficial for your cat. Consuming more and more crickets can cause stomach upset, impaction, and insecticide poisoning in your cat.
What are the major health benefits of consuming crickets?
Following are the major health benefits of consuming crickets:
Protein
The first thing is the insect protein that your cat needs in its diet. Cats are obligate carnivorous animals that rely on animal meat for their nutritional needs.
The protein has a very low amount in crickets but it can prove very beneficial for your cat. Protein is essential for the muscular growth and development of your cat. A proteinaceous diet is important for the growth of the cat. Proteins also act as a source of energy for your cat so it is very common for your cat to eat insects to fulfill its nutritional needs.
Omega-3 fatty acids
The next beneficial component of the crickets is the omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for the heart of the cat.
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered good fat for the brain development and the skin of your cat. It improves the shine of the skin and the coat.
It also acts as an antioxidant agent which can capture and kill reactive free radicals in the body. These reactive free radicals in the body can cause oxidative damage to the cells leading to the death of the cells.
Iron
The next healthy benefit is iron. Iron is required for the production of red blood cells in the body. It is also required by the hemoglobin in the red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body of the cat.
If there is a deficiency of iron in the body, it can lead to anemia, a condition in which the body is not able to fulfill the oxygen requirement of the organs in the body. It happens when there is the destruction of red blood cells due to any reason in the body that decreases the oxygen level in the body leading to anemia.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is required for the growth of the brain and the digestive tract of the body. Moreover, it also helps in converting food into energy. Furthermore, vitaminB12 is needed for the production of red blood cells in the body.
What are the major health hazards of consuming crickets for your cat?
Following are the major health hazards of consuming crickets for your cat:
Stomach upset
The first problem is stomach upset in your cat which is due to the hard exoskeleton of the crickets that is not easily digested in the stomach of your cat. If your cat happens to consume a large number of crickets then it will not be digested properly in the stomach.
Impaction
The next thing is impaction which is not healthy for your cat. It blocks one of the major pathways of the digestive tract which is the intestine in the body.
Following are the major clinical signs of intestinal impaction in your cat:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Little to no feces
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Distended abdomen
- Abdominal pain
Insecticides poisoning
The last thing is the insecticide poisoning in your cat which is due to the insecticide spray you use in your home.
It happens when the cat consumes crickets that have insecticide spray on them. This can lead to toxicity in your cat.
Following are the typical signs of toxicity in your cat:
- Decreased appetite
- Pale mucous membrane
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Excessive salivation
What can you do if your cat ate a lot of crickets?
You just need to isolate your cat for the abnormal signs to appear. If your cat shows abnormal signs, take your cat to the vet as he is the only person who can help you.
Your vet will examine your cat and will take a brief history of your cat. After that, your vet will go for treatment according to the condition of your cat.
Your vet will administer antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection in your cat. Your vet will also administer fluids to dilute the toxins in the blood.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we entertained our important question, “Can cats eat crickets?” we also covered the major health benefits of consuming crickets, the major health hazards of consuming crickets, and what you can do if your cat ate a lot of crickets.
References
https://www.hepper.com/can-cats-eat-crickets/
