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Cats are natural predators! They love to stalk, pounce and dominate small critters. Most cats are intrigued by anything small and wiggly, with spiders, ants, and crickets often drawing their attention. But what if the hunt is successful, and your buddy manages to eat a cockroach?
Chances are your cat is going to be just fine. Cockroaches aren’t toxic to cats, but they can carry diseases and parasites that cause problems. Also, the hard cockroach exoskeletons can get stuck in your cat’s mouth or throat, which can be quite painful. Read on for more information about what to do if your cat eats a cockroach.
What Should I Do Now?
Because these insects aren’t toxic to cats, you don’t need to spring into action the minute you realize your buddy’s eaten a roach. Cats that eat too many insects or end up with pieces of exoskeleton in their digestive systems often have upset stomachs or diarrhea.
Keep in mind that cats often catch parasites, such as Physaloptera worms, by eating roaches. Signs of a worm infection include vomiting and diarrhea, but they sometimes take a bit of time to develop.
Some pet parents worry about toxic exposure if their cat munches on a roach exposed to an insecticide. Veterinarians suggest there’s not much to worry about if your pet takes a few bites of a pesticide-laden insect—there’s simply not enough poison in the roach’s body to harm your cat. However, this doesn’t mean you should let your cat make a habit out of eating cockroaches.
Is It OK for My Cat to Eat Cockroaches?
Cats chase bugs, including cockroaches, because it’s part of that feline hardwiring that makes kitties so adorable, but that doesn’t mean that it’s healthy for cats to eat insects. Cockroaches carry parasites and bacteria, including the ones responsible for salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus infections. They can also be vectors for the transmission of diseases such as typhoid fever, diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera in humans.
How Do I Get Rid of Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are notoriously difficult to kill. Hiring a professional exterminator is often the best way to eliminate a roach infestation effectively. But there are other steps you can take that can reduce the chances of cockroaches making a home in your kitchen. Experts recommend fixing leaky pipes and sealing exterior holes as a start. Make sure to keep indoor and outdoor trash well-covered and store food in airtight containers. You should also wash your pet’s food bowl immediately after use and avoid leaving food out for your cat to munch on all day.
Is Professional Pest Control Safe for Cats?
Most professional extermination companies are mindful of household pets and will give you specific instructions regarding your cats. As long as everything is done correctly and you follow instructions, there is no risk for your cat. Keep any pets in a separate home or building while the exterminator is doing their work. Expect to wait at least a minimum of 48 hours after the application of any insecticide before allowing your cat into any recently treated rooms.
What About Bait Traps and Sprays?
Bait traps and store-bought sprays often seem like great options when you’re trying to get rid of cockroaches. They’re often the first products people turn to after seeing a nasty scurrying critter in the kitchen. Unfortunately, these products are toxic to cats when ingested directly and should be used only after taking a few solid precautions.
Since cats will eat just about anything, including the bait trap housing, it’s best to put these products in places your pet can’t get to.
Insect sprays you purchase at the garden center can also be problematic, as many contain chemicals such as permethrin and pyrethrin, which are highly toxic to cats. Signs your cat may be suffering from permethrin or pyrethrin poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, drooling, and seizures. Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested roach spray. Your cat can also be poisoned by permethrin, typically used for clothing sprays or canine flea products, by contact alone since they are very sensitive to this substance.
How Common Are Cockroaches?
There are currently more than 4,600 species of cockroaches, although only about 30 of those are drawn to environments where they’re likely to encounter humans.
Common North American variants of the insect include American, German, Oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies roaches as pests. These adaptable creatures can be found on every continent except Antarctica and can withstand anywhere from six to 15 times more radiation exposure than humans. Roaches will eat just about anything they can get their hands on, including leather, paper, glue, skin flakes, and hair.
If you still have additional questions about cats and cockroaches, you should contact a vet.
Conclusion
If your cat eats a cockroach occasionally, there’s generally nothing to worry about as long as you ensure they are dewormed regularly. Roaches aren’t toxic to cats, but you should monitor for signs of an upset stomach from the bacteria they carry. Also, cats that eat too many roaches can sometimes have tummy problems due to the hard exoskeletons.
If your cat eats a cockroach, reach out to your veterinarian if your pet begins to vomit, has loose bowels, or things don’t improve on their own in 24 hours.
Featured Image Credit: Amonrat Joysampao, Shutterstock
