According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an estimated 38 percent of Americans own a dog.
The outstanding acquaintance of dogs and their social similarities to humans, and their steady presence in our lives means that we usually feel a special bond with our dogs.
However, even after living with your dog for a long time, they might do things that can only be attributed to their hunting instincts.
Dogs are descendants of wolves who usually hunt for food. Although domestic dogs don’t hunt, their hunting instincts still exist.
Moreover, some dogs have a hunting instinct or a strong prey drive that compels them to hunt and kill small insects like cockroaches.
If your dog ate a cockroach, you are probably wondering if it is safe, what would happen once your dog eats a cockroach, and what to do if your dog eats a cockroach. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you get peace of mind.
This article will answer all these questions. We will also discuss how to prevent your dogs from eating cockroaches.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cockroaches?
Dogs eat cockroaches because tasting and sniffing are their way of exploring new things. Therefore, if they see a cockroach running on the floor, their high prey instinct takes over, and they get all excited and end up eating the cockroach.
While chasing cockroaches is not bad for your dog, eating cockroaches is not a good description of a good time. But as much as it is disgusting to imagine your dog chewing a cockroach, it rarely threatens them.
However, veterinarians suggest you monitor your dog closely if it has eaten a cockroach; it will be best not to let your dog eat cockroaches in the future.
Why Eating a Cockroach Can Harm Your Pet
Typically, cockroaches pose no threat to your dog. However, cockroaches are dirty pests that carry diseases and parasites. In addition, cockroaches are notoriously difficult to kill, so most homeowners use pest control means that, unfortunately, harm their dogs. Besides, eating whole roaches can cause a blockage in your dog’s digestive system.
The following are ways cockroaches can harm your dog.
Allergies
Cockroaches are known to trigger an allergic reaction because their shed skin, droppings, saliva, and exoskeletons contain allergens.
Therefore, if your dog has a cockroach allergy or any other respiratory condition, these allergens can affect them.
Other allergic reactions your dog could develop are skin conditions. As a result, you will see your dog scratching and developing rashes.
The rashes can become infected and cause foul odors, redness, and hair loss. So, look for rashes on your dog’s muzzle, tail base, armpits, and near the feet and eyes.
Parasitic Infections
Cockroaches are known carriers of six parasitic worms, including hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, and other variations. Dogs are more prone to tapeworms.
Your dog is less likely to get sick from eating a single cockroach. However, the chances of getting a tapeworm infection are higher if your dog happens to eat more than one cockroach.
This infection might not be severe in most dogs; however, puppies are very vulnerable to tapeworms. An infection could result in anemia, stunted growth, and intestinal blockage.
Cockroaches also carry a stomach worm that affects dogs and primarily lives in a dog’s stomach near the small intestine.
Once a dog ingests these worms, they attach themselves to its stomach lining and start feeding on your dog’s blood and tissue.
This can go unnoticed for a long time in most dogs until it is too late when they start vomiting, lose weight, and experience abdominal pain and internal bleeding.
Bacterial Infections
Roaches carry different types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, E. coli, and Streptococcus. They can contaminate your pet’s food and water with these bacteria and make your dog sick.
Salmonella can cause stomach flu or gastroenteritis with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever.
Similarly, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus can cause lung, urinary tract, respiratory, and skin infections. Therefore, you should contact your veterinarian once your dog shows symptoms of a bacterial infection.
Poisoning
Cockroaches are common household pests. Consequently, homeowners meticulously try to kill cockroaches using roach poison. Unfortunately, sometimes, roaches won’t die from the spray and will carry it on their bodies.
A single cockroach won’t poison your dog; however, if the dog sniffs or comes into contact with the cockroach poison, it could cause some problems.
Similarly, poisoning can happen if the dog has eaten many cockroaches coated in poison. If you suspect your dog has eaten cockroach poison, be on the lookout for symptoms like:
- Breathing difficulties
- Shaking
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Signs to Watch Out for If Your Dog Ate a Cockroach
Signs and symptoms of bacterial and parasitic infection and poisoning include:
- Dehydration
- Increased heart rate
- Depression
- Shock
- Dark feces
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Diarrhea
Take your dog to a vet if they show any of the above symptoms. Remember that the earlier you intervene, the better.
Do Dogs Attract Cockroaches?
No, dogs don’t attract cockroaches. However, their food, water, and feces can.
Water
Your dog’s water dish can attract cockroaches. This is because these insects need water or moisture to thrive, and finding it is their priority.
Dog Food
Cockroaches will gladly feed on food particles left in the bowl by your dog. Also, if you habitually leave kibble out for your dog to snack on during the day, roaches will discover the excess food and nest nearby.
Dog Poop
Cockroaches are not picky feeders and can eat poop. So, if you often leave feces in your yard to scoop later, cockroaches can feast on it too.
To keep your dog from eating roaches, put away leftovers, clean up their poop, leave just enough snacks, and get a pest-proof water dish for your dog.
Can Dogs Bring In Roaches?
No, dogs cannot bring in roaches.
Most pet owners have a yard, and cockroaches thrive in outdoor spaces with leaf piles or moist compartments and warm areas. This can make you think that dog owners have more roaches.
It’s important to note that roaches have an ecological significance when outside because they break down decaying matter. However, if food becomes available inside your house, they will infest there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pets Eat Roaches?
Pets that eat roaches include panther chameleons, leopard geckos, and lizards like bearded dragons, iguanas, and monitor lizards. Cats also eat roaches occasionally though it’s not the best. Chickens can eat roaches if they are free from poisons.
Despite what most people think, roaches are an excellent source of protein and nutrients for many reptile and amphibian pets.
While toads, frogs, other insects, and lizards can happily feed on roaches, a rule of thumb is to feed your pet a cockroach that is almost the length of the space between the pet’s eye.
Can Roaches Live in Pet Food?
No, roaches cannot live in pet food. However, roaches will nest nearby if you habitually leave your pet food uncovered. Dog food has a nutritional composition that is also healthy for a cockroach.
Remember that cockroaches carry bacteria and parasitic worms. So, if you find any in your pet food, discard the food.
I Found My Dog Eating Cockroaches. Should I Be Worried?
No, you should not be worried if you find your dog eating cockroaches, especially if it is still eating, drinking, and acting normal.
However, contact your vet immediately if the dog starts showing unusual behavior and symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea, and looks sick.
Can Cockroaches Bite Dogs?
Yes, cockroaches can bite dogs. However, usually, cockroaches don’t bite dogs. But, if there are established populations and there is no food for the roaches, they might bite your dog in search of sustenance.
While cockroaches don’t transmit diseases through their bites, it is still advisable to disinfect the bite and look for signs and symptoms of infection, like mild irritation, swelling, and pain.
