Do cats eat turtles?
This cat blog will answer the major question, “Do cats eat turtles?” we will also discuss the major reasons for cats eating turtles, whether cats can eat turtle eggs, and whether cats can eat baby turtles.
Do cats eat turtles?
Yes, cats can eat turtles. It is very hard for a cat to crack the shell of a turtle because it is very strong. However, cats do like to eat turtles as cats are obligate carnivorous animals, they like to eat meat. Cats do eat turtles that are smaller in size because they are easy to eat.
What are the major reasons cats eat turtles?
Following are the major reason for cats eating turtles:
Your cat might be hungry
In the wild, cats are always hungry because food is scarce. Cats are very fast and they can take down turtles in the wild very easily. However, breaking the shell of the turtles is not that easy.
In the wild, the cats are able to crack the shell with the help of strong teeth but in the house, the domesticated cats are not able to crack the shell of the turtle.
Competition in the wild
In the wild, the land is scarce too, and there is survival of the fittest. If the cats happen to feel that the small animals are a threat to their existence, they try to wipe them out of the forest.
They continue to eat them or kill them to make space for themselves and their young ones.
Your cat is jealous
Suppose you have a cat at home and you love your cat very much. Your cat will also love you back. Suppose you brought home a new pet which is a turtle and you have to divide the attention between your cat and the new pet turtle, then your cat will feel jealous and will try to eliminate the turtle from the house.
They might engage in a fight so you need to properly introduce the turtle to your cat so the cat will not take it as a threat.
Your cat might play with it
Cats love to play with toys and the shape of the turtle is like a toy for your cat. Your cat will try to play and in this process, your cat might bite it. This will damage the shell of the turtle.
What are the major threats of consuming turtles for your cat?
Following are the major threats of consuming turtles for your cat:
Turtle shells can cause stomach upset
The shell of the turtle is not easy to consume and is not easily digestible for your cat so your cat might suffer from a stomach upset which will worsen if not treated in time.
Following are the main clinical signs of stomach upset in your cat:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
Choking in cats
If your cat happens to eat the turtle with the shell it can get stuck in the esophagus of the body which is dangerous as the expanded esophagus can put pressure on the trachea which can cause tracheal collapse and death of your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of tracheal collapse in your cat:
- Difficult in breathing
- Head towards the ground
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Unable to vomit
- Lethargy
- Recumbency
Intestinal obstruction in cats
The last thing is the intestinal obstruction in your cat. Intestinal obstruction is painful and it can only be treated with surgery so make sure your cat doesn’t hold on to the turtle shell.
You must ensure the safety of your cat at home otherwise a disaster will be knocking at your door.
You should visit your vet if your cat happens to eat anything that can prove dangerous.
Can cats eat turtle eggs?
No, cats cannot eat turtle eggs. Cats usually play with it as they amuse your cat but the cats do not eat turtle eggs.
Turtle eggs have a very hard shell that is not easily breakable so the cats are not able to break it. The cats might take it as a toy and will play with it but consuming one of the turtle eggs is not the specialty of your cat.
Can cats eat baby turtles?
Yes, cats can eat baby turtles. Baby turtles are an easy target because they have weak shell that is easily breakable so it is easy prey for your cat.
In the wild, baby turtles are easy prey for wild cats which is why the mother turtle protects the baby turtle in its shell.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we entertained our important question, “Do cats eat turtles?” we also discussed the major reasons for cats eating turtles, whether cats can eat turtle eggs, and whether cats can eat baby turtles.
References
https://askmycats.com/do-cats-eat-turtles/
https://www.hepper.com/do-cats-eat-turtles/
