No need to worry if your cats eat cicadas when they appear. |
Many cat owners may be wondering if it is safe for their cats to eat cicadas, especially now since billions of periodical cicadas are emerging from the grounds across Northern Illinois and neighboring states.
If cats eat cicadas, owners do not need to worry, said Shelly Rubin, DVM, a Chicago veterinarian and American Veterinary Medical Association member (AVMA), who has been researching cicadas in anticipation of this year’s invasion and subsequent questions from concerned clients.
“Pet owners have nothing to worry about,” Rubin said. “While they might be a nuisance to humans, they’re no danger to us or our pets. They don’t sting, they don’t bite, they don’t carry disease and they can be eaten without any problem at all.”
Cicadas are a good source of protein and are eaten as part of a human diet in some places of the world, Rubin said. Pet owners may want to monitor their pets while they’re outside to ensure that they don’t overindulge in a cicada meal. However, the sheer number of the bugs in some places will make it impossible to prevent a cat from eating a few, she said.
If you do catch your cat in the act of eating a cicada, do not remove it from the pet’s mouth, Rubin said. Your fingers may be bitten.
As with any food, eating too much may cause vomiting or internal distress. If your cat appears to be in pain or vomits repeatedly, contact your veterinarian.