Have you noticed cockroaches in your home and are concerned about how they might affect your cat’s health? Can cats eat cockroaches? These are some of the questions many cat owners ask themselves.
Knowing what your cat can and cannot eat and whether or not cockroaches are risk-free for your cat is essential.
What you need to know regarding this concern is covered in this article. We will also discuss the potential risks and the nutritional value of cockroaches and provide tips on protecting your cat from exposure to these pests.
Do Cats Eat Cockroaches?
Yes, cats eat cockroaches sometimes.
The domestic cat has an instinctive prey drive, and cockroaches are its easy targets. They may or may not eat a cockroach that they have killed.
Besides, cat owners frequently record their pets’ propensity to play with living and dead cockroaches.
In addition, cockroaches are an excellent food source for an outdoor cat. For example, feral cats have a hunting instinct and can eat cockroaches.
However, it is highly recommended that you discourage this behavior as it can be dangerous for domestic cats if they eat the roaches.
Cockroaches carry germs and parasitic worms that can be harmful to cats if ingested. Additionally, cockroaches have hard exoskeletons that can be difficult to digest and may cause intestinal blockages and oral irritation in cats.
Though cockroaches are a good source of protein and natural oils that may benefit the cat, they are not a preferred food source.
Read More: Cockroach Dangers
Can Cats Hear Roaches?
Yes, cats can hear roaches.
Cats have a remarkable sense of hearing and can hear cockroaches. In addition, the cat’s external ear can turn 180 degrees and locate even the weakest sounds.
Most cockroaches make a chirping or hissing sound that your cat can possibly hear because its hearing frequency ranges from 45 to 64,000 hertz.
Are Some Cats Better at Hunting Cockroaches Than Others?
Yes, some cats are better at hunting cockroaches than others.
Cats have been selectively bred to be better pest-control animals. In fact, certain breeds of cats have a natural instinct to hunt mice, which can come in handy when trying to get rid of these rodents.
Some cats love hunting better than others, for instance, the Siamese, Persians, Turkish Angora, Maine Coons, Manx, American Shorthairs, Siberian, Burmese, Japanese Bobtail, and Chartreux.
These cats possess an impressive combination of skill, speed, quick reaction time, and persistent natural hunting instincts that allows them to take down their prey effectively.
In addition, their agility enables them to squeeze into small spaces where pests may be hiding, while their speed and reflexes give them the advantage of catching any pests that try to flee.
These skills, combined with their unparalleled resolve to finish the job, make cats the ideal pest controllers.
Can Cockroaches Poison Cats?
No, cockroaches cannot poison cats.
Cockroaches don’t have any toxins that can poison cats. However, they can transmit bacteria and other organisms that, if consumed by cats, could cause health problems.
In addition, things can get more problematic when homeowners turn to chemical cockroach poisons and deterrents to get rid of roaches.
When a cat eats a cockroach exposed to the chemicals, it might fall ill.
Additionally, these pests will rummage through garbage cans, compost piles, rotting food, feces, and other unpleasant things carrying bacteria and pathogens. Ingesting such an insect can expose your cat to health perils.
At the very least, this might cause stomach upset in your cat.
Other Risks of Cats Eating Cockroaches
Parasites and Bacteria
The most common risk associated with cats eating cockroaches is the possibility that the cat will consume parasites, bacteria, or viruses that may be present on the roach.
Furthermore, the cockroach can be contaminated with pesticides or other chemicals that could harm the cat.
Therefore, domestic cats should never consume a cockroach that has been doused with poison or killed, as it can harm them.
In addition, if the cat is allergic to the proteins in roaches, there is a chance of an allergic reaction.
Indigestible Body Parts
A cockroach’s shell is mainly indigestible. The cat’s digestive system might try to break down the shell, but larger pieces will mostly stay intact.
In contrast to other animals, cats cannot grind their food quickly. They are also unable to use alternatives like gastroliths or gizzard stones.
This means that anything the teeth and digestive acids cannot break down will essentially pass through the animal’s digestive tract as a whole; this is why your cat might throw up some of the cockroaches it just ate.
Also, cockroaches contain chitin, which is difficult for cats to digest and can cause intestinal obstructions.
Cats eating cockroaches may vomit and have diarrhea, resulting in dehydration or other health problems.
Choking Hazards
Although cats have sharp teeth and strong jaws that can quickly break down the exoskeletons of cockroaches, they may not be able to grind the shell into small, non-hazardous pieces before swallowing.
Large shell pieces pose a choking hazard to cats as the shards can become lodged in the cat’s throat and cause injuries or lacerations.
Cats cannot mitigate the risk of being choked by cockroaches they have fed on because of their anatomy.
They have a very small esophagus and a narrow trachea, making it difficult to swallow large objects.
Therefore, monitor your cat for signs of choking, like trouble breathing. If a cat appears to be choking, seek immediate veterinary care.
Do Cats Attract Cockroaches?
No, cats do not attract cockroaches. However, their food and litter boxes might attract roaches if not cleaned regularly.
Cockroaches are constantly looking for food sources, so an open cat food bowl or a litter box tucked away in a quiet spot can appeal to them.
Also, if cat food is stored in bags or containers that are not airtight, the food can rot and attract roaches.
Ways to Keep Cockroaches Away From Cats
It’s crucial to keep your cat’s food bowls clean and clear of any leftover food to prevent cockroaches from infesting your home.
Feeding your cat in smaller amounts in the morning and evening will ensure that all dry food is consumed and there are no leftovers instead of leaving it out all day.
Additionally, store cat food in air-tight containers to keep the food fresh and stop cockroaches from smelling it out.
Finally, think about switching to crystal litter, which cockroaches cannot digest, or trying to increase the frequency at which you clean litter boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pets Eat Roaches?
Pets that eat roaches include lizards, frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, and birds.
Can Cats Keep Roaches Away From Your Home?
Yes, cats can keep roaches away from your home sometimes.
Larger animals are viewed as threats to be avoided by cockroaches. A persistent cat would discourage cockroaches from returning, which might stop the cockroach infestation from expanding.
Sometimes a cat will pounce on a cockroach and kill it. However, there’s no guarantee that it will always do this.
Well-fed indoor cats may have little hunting instincts and might not consistently kill cockroaches, rendering them unreliable for reducing cockroach populations.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats a Cockroach?
If your cat eats a cockroach, it is advisable to monitor it for unusual behavior and symptoms of illness.
If a cat eats one or two cockroaches that have not been exposed to poisons, it should be fine. However, if the cockroaches have been exposed to toxins, it could be dangerous for the cat.
You should call your vet immediately if your cat has eaten a poisoned cockroach; your vet can suggest the best cause of action.
Also, the likelihood of your cat contracting a parasitic infection from consuming a cockroach is high; therefore, maintaining its deworming schedule is equally important.
