Cats are carnivores and they love meat. They also enjoy consuming bugs such as crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, and even spiders. Some cats even hunt them down.
Insects are part of their natural diet. It is a fact that some cats will eat bugs when given the chance.
Whilst this might sound icky to us, it is pretty normal to a cat. So, let’s take a look at why cats like to eat bugs in more detail.
Sense Of Smell For Hunting
Cat’s have a keen sense of smell. Their noses can detect the slightest scent. This is why cats can easily pick up on the scents of prey in the wild.
In addition to that, cats are very fast runners. They can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. That means that they can catch prey before it has time to escape.
Cats also have sharp teeth and claws. These help them kill their prey.
Why Do Cats Like To Eat Bugs?
Insects can actually play a role in their diet and be good for them. They provide essential nutrients that cats need to stay healthy. In particular, they contain protein, which helps build muscles and bones.
Some people think that eating insects makes cats sick or unhealthy. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Some cats enjoy hunting for insects, so it provides them some entertainment. They chase after them and then play with them.
How Do You Know If Your Cat Likes Eating Bugs?
If you notice your cat eating insects or other small creatures then this could be an indication that he/she may not be getting enough food.
The best way to find out what your cat eats is by looking through his/her waste bowl. You should see some evidence of insects there. If you don’t see any then your cat might just be having a snack.
What Types Of Bugs Does My Cat Eat?
Cats will eat almost anything. However, they tend to prefer larger insects such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.
They also enjoy smaller insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and moths. They even eat worms and snails.
Does My Cat Eat Bugs All Day Long?
No, your cat won’t eat bugs all day long. He/She will only eat them when they are hungry.
However, you should make sure that your cat gets plenty of fresh water. This will prevent him from becoming dehydrated throughout the day.
Can I Feed My Cat Bugs?
Yes, it is perfectly fine for you to give your cat bugs. In fact, many people do so. There are several reasons why you should feed your cat bugs.
First, it helps keep your cat healthy. By feeding him/her insects you are giving him/her essential nutrients that he/she needs.
Second, just like we said previously, it keeps your cat entertained. Many cats get bored when left alone. Hunting for bugs can be a fun thing for them to do.
Third, it gives your cat more energy. A well-fed cat has more energy than one who isn’t fed properly.
Fourth, it will improve your cat’s health. Eating insects will help keep your cat’s digestive system clean.
Can I Feed My Cat Worms?
Yes! There are plenty of worms that are safe for cats to eat. Some of the most common types include:
earthworms
nightcrawlers
red wigglers
roundworms
tapeworms
white grubs
woodlice
However, you shouldn’t feed your cat raw meat. Raw meat can cause serious infections.
Instead, you should cook your cat’s food thoroughly. Cooked food will not only taste better but it will also be safer for your cat.
Why Shouldn’t I Give My Cat Worm Eggs?
Giving your cat worm eggs isn’t recommended. It can cause serious illness. The eggs can enter your cat’s bloodstream through his stomach.
The larvae then travel to different parts of his body. There, they grow into worms and crawl inside his organs.
The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, weakness, fever, and coughing.
Your cat could even die from this infection.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Insects For Your Cat?
There are several benefits of feeding your cat insects. First, they contain lots of protein. Protein is vital for building strong bones and muscles.
They also contain vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. These are all essential vitamins that our bodies need to function properly.
In addition to these vitamins, insects also contain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese.
These minerals are necessary for maintaining bone health, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and other bodily functions.
Finally, insects also contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health. This is because they reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels.
How Can I Make Sure My Cat Doesn’t Eat Bugs?
It is important to make sure that your cat doesn’t eat too many bugs. If you keep them around, he may start thinking that they’re his favorite food.
You should try to avoid giving him any bugs if possible. Instead, feed him canned food. This way, you’ll be able to control how much he eats.
You could also give him dry food instead of wet food. Dry food contains less moisture than wet food, which means that it won’t attract bugs.
If you want to prevent your cat from eating bugs, you could put out an insect repellent. Insect repellents work by emitting chemicals that repel insects, but they may not be safe to use around your cat.
If your cat does get hungry, you could offer him something else to snack on. You could use dried fish or chicken.
Do Cats Kill Bugs Around The House?
Cats don’t usually kill bugs around the house. They prefer hunting outdoors. However, some cats have been known to catch mice indoors.
This is why you should always supervise your cat while he’s in the house. He might accidentally knock over a bug jar or leave a mouse carcass behind.
This can lead to a lot of problems. For example, your cat could ingest the dead mouse. Or, he could bring it into the house where it could bite someone.
Are There Any Bugs My Cat Should Not Eat?
Some people think that their cats shouldn’t eat certain types of bugs. For example, they believe that cats shouldn’t eat cockroaches.
However, there are no studies that prove whether, or not, this is true. Some experts say that cats do just fine with cockroaches.
Others say that cats shouldn’t eat grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are dangerous when eaten raw. They can cause serious digestive issues.
However, cooked grasshoppers aren’t harmful. In fact, they’re actually quite tasty!
Final Words
Feeding your cat insects is a great idea. It will benefit both your cat and yourself. However, as always, you have to make sure that you don’t overfeed your cat.
The best part about this diet is that it’s easy to prepare. All you have to do is mix some dry food with water in a bowl. Then, add some crickets and let your cat enjoy himself.
However, make sure your cat isn’t just eating bugs. Whilst it can be beneficial, whether you feed them bugs or they hunt for them, they do need an all-round balanced diet to stay healthy and happy.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
