When we say cricket, we do not mean the sport cricket. We mean cricket as in the insect. Crickets are weird and hard-bodied insects that roam around in our house. We see crickets daily. We may have ignored it and moved on, but our cats? Oh no! They haven’t ignored these insects at all!
Cats do not leave anything interesting just hanging around the corner. They will make sure to catch them and play. Cats are playful, curious beings that will play with their prey before they step into the dangerous act of eating them. We have all seen examples like that on television. Cats and crickets aren’t the healthiest combinations, though! It is quite weird to even think of feeding crickets to cats, as that’s not something you would usually think of when you think of cat food.
Anyway, if your cat has mistakenly eaten a cricket, you need to make sure it is quickly taken out of their system. Cats do eat some harmless house insects, which is quite normal. If you did not know that, your cats’ secret is out. Many things could go wrong if your cat eats a cricket. Let’s dive into more details on the same, in the following sections.
Why do cats eat bugs?
Well, you won’t like the answer to this one! Cats do eat bugs on purpose. They may not naturally eat it for protein. Being natural hunters, cats love to chase their prey. This play goes from kind and merry to horrible, real fast, when the cat eats the insect. Sometimes, they may also eat a bug in no time. This could be just normal and unintentional for them, but the scene can be quite horrifying for us, as spectators.
When cats eat certain bugs, the odds may not always be in their favor. Most domesticated cats do not hunt for food, but the instinct remains the same. The urge to kill is innate in cats, and we are aware of this fact. More often than not, they end up eating their prey.
Are cats harmed by eating bugs? It depends on what type of bug your cat has eaten. If your cat happens to eat bees, God save them! A bee stings, and they can have a swollen mouth or hand when they try to catch and eat a bee. If your cat exhibits these symptoms, you should waste no time rushing it to the vet.
More than the concept of eating the bugs, cats love the game of chase. They love to chase the bugs, including crickets. They enjoy this playtime, and, they may casually end up eating a few as well, in this bargain. Can they eat crickets? Keep reading the next section to know the answer for the same.
Is it safe for cats to eat crickets?
Yes, it is safe for cats to eat crickets. If they are eating crickets for fun, you don’t have to worry a lot. This is because crickets do not poison cats. Nor do they cause any toxic reaction in cats. So, if your cat ate a cricket or two, do not worry because there is nothing wrong with it.
According to experts, cats eat crickets for fun. Cats can eat crickets as it contains some kind of protein. Crickets have protein and omega 3 acids in them, which are quite beneficial for the overall growth of your cat. Your feline may have eaten some crickets in the gardens or other areas. You might not even be aware of the same! However, rest assured knowing that crickets won’t cause any serious problems in your furry friends.
Though this may be a little creepy, we have to tell you this! Your cats could have eaten some of the cockroaches in your kitchen. However, cats can handle these insects properly due to their natural hunting attitude, provided they haven’t eaten anything toxic.
In that case, show your feline to a vet. When your cats eat crickets, they can get an oral infection. Cats can also experience some gastrointestinal problems when they eat crickets that contain harmful parasites. However, this could be a rare occurrence only.
Also, we need to clarify that eating crickets for cats is not a need but rather a want, which arises out of its curiosity. This want makes the hunt for these animals, and eat them for fun. We know cats can be evil like that. The good thing is that crickets come with some nutrients that are essential for a cat’s wellbeing. So, as long as they don’t sport any allergic reactions or ailments. These nutrients include proteins, iron, Vitamin B12, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, and more.
What happens if cats eat crickets?
Oral irritation and gastrointestinal inflammation are some of the common issues you may see in cats when they eat crickets. Some of the symptoms you can notice in cats if their oral system is inflamed:
- Drooling
- Bleeding in the gums
- The continuous action of swallowing
- The chattering of the teeth
- Bad breath
When your cat experiences stomach upsets when it eats crickets, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:
- Loose motion
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Overall lethargy
- Hiding away from food
- The constant action of licking lips
While these are some common symptoms, the key is to watch out for these in the early stages themselves, so that they don’t become big problems that require emergency surgical procedures.
Final Word
Yes, cats can eat crickets. They can be full of protein and give them a good time to play. In some cases, cats can suffer from oral irritation and gastrointestinal infections, when they eat crickets. These small insects do not have anything hazardous to cats’ health. Crickets are consumable, but not digestive always because they may come from contaminated areas, and that can cause discomfort in your cat. The ecosystem works on all sorts of animals, but it works immensely on domesticated animals, as they purely rely on survival, so make sure you chart a cat’s diet plan properly.