Dogs aren’t exactly known for their discriminating palates, and some of them might mistake the impending invasion of Brood X for an all-you-can-eat bug buffet. Sure, cicadas are edible for humans (and allegedly taste like shrimp), but what about our furry, four-legged friends?
First, the good news: According to Christine Klippen, an urgent care veterinarian at Friendship Hospital, cicadas are not toxic to dogs, so there won’t likely be any cases of bug poisoning. In actuality, the harm a cicada can cause to a dog is more connected to consuming something other than their usual diet than the bug itself. Dogs who eat sticks and other foreign objects develop gastrointestinal inflammation and irritation; eating a cicada might cause the same digestive problems.
But some dogs will exhibit a ravenous appetite for the insects, eating the bugs in large quantities. If your dog starts to vomit, have diarrhea, or act lethargic, it may have a GI obstruction as a result of eating too many critters. Klippen advises consulting your veterinarian about this.
Klippen suggests that you “maybe [don’t leave] them unattended so that they can go out and have a smorgasbord.” The veterinarian advises leashing pets outside so that you can steer curious canines away from the cicadas. Additionally, owners can practice directing a dog’s focus away from insects by rewarding them with a treat. And just get ready for the upcoming Washington pet owner rite of passage: removing a fluttering cicada from your cherished dog’s mouth.
Bugs Dogs Eat & Their Safety
There’s a good chance that your animal friend will try to play with or even eat any bugs that are present. Thank goodness most bugs are OK for them to eat.
Let’s look at all of the others now that you know which ones are bad for your dog. These insects are safe for dogs to consume.
First, let’s look at the creepy crawling ones. They might be discovered by your dog in their food bowl or while they are outside in a park.
Some of these are safe. But a few of them are cause for concern.
Most ants are harmless to dogs. In fact, ants are an excellent source of protein. They also have vitamin C in them.
Keep an eye out for fire ants. Your dog might experience a painful sting if it tries to eat them. Your dog won’t get stung in the stomach, but the stings could hurt their mouth and nose.
In your dog’s bowl from time to time, you might notice some ants crawling around. This is safe and won’t harm your dog. However, if it notices the ants crawling around, it might decide not to eat the dog food (some puppies are just picky like that).
Beetles are generally safe for your dog to eat. Just be cautious because eating too many Asian lady beetles, which resemble ladybugs, could give your dog an upset stomach.
Another insect that could upset your dog’s stomach if they consume too many of them is the cicada. It’s best to keep them away to protect them.
For some reason, cicadas are almost addicting to dogs. Once they begin munching on them, they find it challenging to stop.
No, do not let your dog eat cockroaches. Roaches may give your dog worms because they consume feces. Do everything in your power to get rid of cockroaches if you have a problem in your home.
Keep your dog away from grasshoppers. Your dog might take pleasure in chasing them and occasionally munching on them. But they are not safe.
If grasshoppers hop around in nearby farmer fields, they may transport poisonous fertilizers and pesticides. But they can also carry parasites and roundworms.
These are safe in moderation. Dogs can occasionally eat one or two June bugs without any problems. However, if they consume too many of them, they risk experiencing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cicadas are another name for locusts, and in 2020 a large number of cicadas will emerge from a 17-year hibernation. Is it safe for dogs to eat locusts in the presence of so many cicadas?
According to Pet Poison Helpline, cicadas don’t bite or sting and don’t have any toxins in them, so they are not harmful to pets. If your dog eats too many of them, it might upset their stomach since the bug’s exoskeleton is tough for them to digest. Just keep an eye on your dog, the worst that might happen is they regurgitate it. If you notice them acting lethargic, contact your veterinarian.
Absolutely not! Keep your dog away from slugs. They carry the larvae of a parasite call lungworm.
They might develop a respiratory condition, experience internal bleeding, or even pass away if they consume this parasite.
Most spiders won’t hurt your dog. But to protect your dog from venomous spiders, it’s wise to keep them away from all spiders.
They might become seriously ill if they unintentionally consume a Brown Recluse or a Black Widow spider.
Stink bugs won’t harm your dog all that much, aside from the obvious reason to keep them away (they smell so bad!).
Of course, if they consume too many, your dog’s stomach may become irritated. Your dog might vomit or drool excessively. However, these signs won’t harm your dog’s health because they will go away on their own.
Is it safe for dogs to eat flying insects, like the ones that bother your dog and scurry around the house? Let’s examine each one.
Your dog is only in danger if a bee stings them in the mouth or throat. Some dogs have been known to swallow bees whole without getting stung.
Bees are venomous. This means that only if the venom is injected into your dog’s body through the stinger can your dog become ill.
They are not poisonous. Things that are poisonous—such as bad mushrooms—have the toxin on the outside, and your dog can become ill from licking or eating them.
Milkweed is toxic to dogs and Monarch butterflies eat milkweed. If a dog eats the butterfly, it will ingest some milkweed and may experience some stomach upset.
Thankfully, it’s pretty rare for dogs to eat butterflies. They have a bitter taste.
Flies are perfectly safe to eat. Your dog may be trying to snipe at flies while playing “catch” with them. During this game, they might even catch one. If they do, they are harmless.
Many dogs chase and eat moths inside the house. Dogs won’t be harmed by moths; they are completely safe for them.
Thankfully, the answer is a resounding “no, it won’t,” as heartworm and worms on the ground are two entirely different conditions.
Heartworms develop within a dog’s heart after a mosquito carrying the parasite larvae bites them.
Earthworms and other worms are bugs that live in the ground, not parasites.
Worms are mostly safe for dogs to eat. By themselves, there is nothing unhealthy about them.
However, the issue is that they consume dirt and add more nutrients to it.
So the worms may consume bacteria and parasites from the ground, among other things. If your dog consumes this worm, it may also consume some nasty pathogens.
The biggest worry is when roundworm eggs from other dogs’ feces are discovered in the ground. Your dog might eat these eggs if a worm eats them.
Mealworms are much smaller than earthworms and are typically found in large groups. The good news is that dogs can safely consume mealworms. They contain protein and fat that are beneficial to your dog.
Common Questions About Dogs and Bugs
Let’s look at some frequently asked questions dog owners have about their dogs eating bugs before we discuss the specific bugs. Chances are you might have these questions too.
The majority of bugs are relatively harmless to dogs and may even supplement their diet with some protein. Since it is entirely normal and harmless (for the most part), you can let them be curious and explore their world without worrying about whether or not they should eat them.
They will naturally eat the bugs; you don’t need to encourage them to.
Or, will dogs eat bugs? Both questions have a positive outcome. Dogs are naturally curious creatures. Their natural tendency is to play with bugs and even eat a few of them.
Bug OverloadJune bugs aren’t toxic, but if your dog eats a lot of them,he could get an upset stomach, accompanied by
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FAQ
What happens if my dog eats bugs?
Most of the time, your dog won’t get hurt if they eat a few bugs. Some insects, like crickets, may even supplement their diet with some protein. However, some insects can be harmful to dogs, such as Asian beetles, which have a chemical that can burn your dog’s mouth.
What insects can make a dog sick?
- Ticks. After spending any amount of time outside, especially if you’ve been exploring wooded areas, it is crucial to check your pet for ticks.
- Mosquitoes. …
- Spiders. …
- Stinging Insects. …
- Ants. …
- Bed Bugs. …
- Fleas. …
- Fireflies.
What bugs can dogs not eat?
- Brown recluse and black widow spiders.
- Caterpillars.
- Bees and wasps.
- Fleas.
- Beetles.
- Cockroaches.
- Crickets.
Can dogs throw up from eating bugs?
June bugs aren’t toxic, but if your dog consumes a lot of them, he may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.