Sometimes, cockroaches enter the wrong household with cats and get eaten, but why in the world would cats eat cockroaches?
Well, most felines aren’t scared of cockroaches like some people. On the contrary, their hunting instincts kick in when they spot a cockroach.
First, they hunt the cockroach down, then consume the lifeless body. And unless treated with poison, these insects won’t harm your kitten but might cause gastrointestinal upset, oral irritation, parasites, etc.
Below, I will discuss why some kittens eat cockroaches, why they shouldn’t, and how to keep cockroaches away, so let’s dive in.
Do Cats Eat Cockroaches?
You’re probably assuming cats eat roaches because they’re a good protein source, but cats actually hunt down these insects because they’re natural-born hunters.
As long as you feed your kitten properly, they won’t hunt cockroaches for dietary needs but because of their predatory instincts. Moreover, indoor cats can’t easily find prey like wild cats. That’s why they hunt smaller insects, such as creepy cockroaches.
Now, let’s learn about the nutritional value of cockroaches and how eating cockroaches can sometimes benefit your feline’s health.
Can Cats Eat Cockroaches?
Cats can eat cockroaches because they’re a natural food source, but that doesn’t mean they should. Feral cats hunt insects, as they don’t have cat food at their disposal.
In fact, cockroaches and other insects make up about 1/3 of their diet. The Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology suggests cats will consume whatever they can find. (*)
Additionally, cats hunt anything that moves, including flies and roaches. As cats notice a moving insect, they immediately get into hunting mode and flex their predatory skills.
Also, cats need a nutritionally balanced diet consisting of vitamins and minerals. Without one, they will become malnourished and susceptible to health problems. That’s why wild cats consume cockroaches; they have nutritional benefits such as the following.
Protein
As I already stated, cockroaches make a great source of animal protein. However, cats need to ingest many cockroaches at once to obtain the protein they need.
Nevertheless, they can give cats a protein boost. Moreover, cockroaches have a higher protein content than crickets. In fact, they contain about 35% more protein than crickets and amino acids (building blocks of protein) that felines need to remain healthy.
Cats need protein for building and repairing tissue and organs, regulating metabolism, maintaining muscle mass, generating energy, and fueling the nervous system.
Vitamin B12
Cockroaches have vitamin B12 in a large amount. The Food Chemistry proved roaches have higher vitamin B12 than crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers.
Vitamin B12 is crucial in managing immune, digestive, and cognitive function.
Unfortunately, felines don’t produce vitamin B12, so they must consume food rich in this vitamin. Vitamin B12 deficiency results in digestive issues, nausea, vomiting, decreased mobility and appetite, limb weakness, and neurological problems.
Generally, cockroaches aren’t toxic to animals, including kitties, but they’re not a healthy snack either; the hard exoskeleton of cockroaches, bacteria, viruses, and parasites they carry can cause various health issues.
4 Reasons Why Roaches Aren’t Good for Cats
Cockroaches provide protein and vitamin B12, but they can also cause different medical issues such as the following:
1. Poison
Poisoned cockroaches usually move slower as they’re dying. So, cats can quickly catch poisoned cockroaches and consume one.
If a cat eats a poisoned cockroach, they will likely get sick through secondary poisoning. A cat will become quickly ill after consuming multiple poisoned cockroaches.
Symptoms of poisoning in cats include vomiting, drooling, persistent twitching, collapse, fitting, skin irritation, dehydration, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, urine changes, etc.
If you suspect your cat has eaten poisoned cockroaches or other insects and they show poisoning symptoms, visit your vet immediately.
Otherwise, your cat’s nervous system might collapse.
2. Oral Irritation
Cockroaches have dense, cartilage-like coverings, also known as exoskeletons.
According to the Department of Integrative Biology, cockroaches can withstand weights about 300 times their own in small cervices and 900 times their weight in other events. (*)
With that being said, after chewing cockroaches, cats can experience oral irritation. The symptoms of oral irritation include drooling, bad breath, bleeding gums, teeth chattering, excessive swallowing, and pawing at the face.
Additionally, cats can experience weight loss and loss of appetite as they struggle to eat while their mouth heals.
3. GI Upset
The exoskeleton of cockroaches can also cause stomach issues in kittens, especially if they consume large and rough pieces.
These pieces can irritate the stomach and cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Moreover, cats with allergies and food intolerances typically experience side effects.
Symptoms of GI upset caused by cockroaches include decreased appetite, weight loss, lethargy, yowling, hiding, excessive lip-licking, etc.
4. Parasites
Cockroaches have 33 bacteria and six parasites. Many of these cause dangerous diseases such as salmonella, dysentery, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis, and E. Coli.
Cats can get bacterial infections from contaminated food, including insects, especially if they have weak immune systems.
The Journal of Parasitology Research says cockroaches carry stomach worms, such as capillary, Ascaris, trichuriasis, hookworm, Toxocara, and eimeria. (*)
These worms can attack cats and reside inside their intestines, surviving off the body’s nutrients. Typically, cockroaches found in toilets and kitchens carry these worms.
Suppose your cat gets any of these works. In that case, they will exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite, a swollen stomach, abdominal pain, bloody feces, a dull coat, excessive cleaning of the bottom, etc.
Cats with worms eventually develop blocked intestines and anemia if left untreated. So, if you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, consult your vet for advice.
What To Do When Your Cat Eats a Cockroach?
Some cats hunt down and eat cockroaches, while others just play with their prey. If your cat has eaten a cockroach, monitor their behavior for signs of medical issues.
Watch Your Kitten Closely
Cockroaches have heavy-duty coverings, which can cause internal blockages if eaten. So, if your cat eats a cockroach, watch for blockage in your cat’s throat first.
If you see your cat chasing around a cockroach, I suggest you remove the bug, as your cat could choke on the hard pieces of the cockroach’s shell.
Moreover, consuming hard-bodied insects, like cockroaches, might cause irritated gums in felines. If your furry friend ingests the cockroach, watch for GI upset and bowel blockage symptoms.
These insects aren’t toxic; however, they can cause digestive issues, requiring a vet trip if not chewed completely.
Check Your Feline for Parasites
Cockroaches and other bugs carry parasites. Therefore, your kitty might have parasites after ingesting insects.
Additionally, eating cockroaches can initiate allergic reactions or poisoning. If your kitten has also ingested giant wolf and black widow spiders, consult your vet for advice.
After cats eat a poisonous spider, their stomachs neutralize the venom with acids before any harm occurs. However, it would be best if you still watched your kitty closely in case they show poisoning symptoms.
If your kitty has trouble breathing, vomits, drools, or has diarrhea, visit the local vet clinic immediately.
Prevent Future Bug Meals
Typically, cats experience health issues when they eat a cockroach treated with poison. In some cases, internal blockages occur.
However, in most cases, the pesticide used to keep cockroaches at bay that cats ingest causes diarrhea, vomiting, and drooling.
Therefore, when buying a pesticide or insecticide, choose a pet-friendly product in case of accidental ingestion.
Do Cats Eat Dead Cockroaches?
Cats find no pleasure in playing with dead cockroaches. Moreover, they don’t consume dead bugs. However, if cats haven’t eaten at home or out in the wild in a long time, they might ingest a dead bug.
If you catch your feline eating a dead cockroach or other dead insects, watch closely for symptoms of GI upset and other health issues.
Common symptoms include bloating, decreased appetite, lethargy, irritability, a sudden change in potty habits, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc.
Whether it’s a dead or alive cockroach, if your feline ingests this bug’s exoskeleton, they might experience health issues.
As the exoskeleton floats through your cat’s digestive system, undigested parts can get stuck on their intestinal wall.
Most undigested pieces will eventually come out of your cat’s system. If they don’t, your cat might experience a digestive blockage. That’s why you should watch for the signs of intestinal obstructions above.
If you notice any signs of a medical issue, consult your vet immediately.
Extra tip: Although most felines have long fur, you can still hold your cat in your lap and gently examine their stomach with your fingers.
If your kitten seems in pain when you touch their belly, there’s likely a medical issue that requires medical attention.
Do Cats Attract Cockroaches?
Cats don’t attract cockroaches. On the contrary, for centuries, cats have been known as the perfect pest exterminators.
The British Journal of Animal Behavior has conducted a case study on five farm holdings and discovered that four of the five farms had felines for pest management.
They also found out that the farms with cats had fewer or no pests, including rodents, as most prey species have learned that cats pose a danger to their life.
Do Cockroaches Avoid Cats?
Cockroaches see bigger creatures as a treat they should avoid. So, yes, roaches avoid cats. In fact, if you have a cat at home, there’s less chance that cockroaches will invade your space.
Moreover, if your feline’s persistent, roaches will get the message that your home is off limits; hence their population will reduce.
However, remember that cats can’t always keep cockroaches at bay. Sometimes, these sneaky insects hide in places cats can’t enter.
Additionally, some cats hunt down cockroaches, while others don’t care. Most domestic cats don’t have the urge to kill and eat cockroaches because they’re well-fed.
In other words, they have little or no desire to hunt insects. Therefore, a cat’s ability and wish to kill cockroaches can vary; hence cats aren’t always good at pest control.
Consider the Infestation’s Magnitude
One cat can’t fight many cockroaches. Although your cat seems eager to hunt roaches, they won’t affect the cockroach populations if there’s a colony.
If you see one cockroach, there’s probably more around. In this case, I suggest finding a pet-friendly way to deter cockroaches and take care of the infestation.
Additionally, some animals might avoid your yard if you have one or more outdoor cats. Outdoor kittens can also repel birds and rats if you have a vegetable garden or cultivate crops.
As for indoor infestation, you can use cat-friendly pest control products, like fly paper or ultrasonic pest repellers.
Cat Eating Roaches: Final Tips for Cat Owners
Most cats kill cockroaches, then eat their prey, and there’s nothing we can do about it. When your feline sees something moving, their natural hunting instincts kick in.
Once they’re done with their hunting game, it’s common for cats to eat their prey. That’s just how kittens work. Luckily, most insects, such as cockroaches, aren’t toxic.
However, they can still cause digestive issues. They’re also a potential choke hazard because of their hardcore exoskeleton.
Lastly, you should worry if your cat ate a poisoned cockroach; pesticides can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other dangerous diseases.
I will wrap up this article by sharing helpful tips on preventing your cat from chasing and consuming insects, including cockroaches, so take a look.
Clean Dirty Dishes Regularly
You can prevent cockroach infestations by cleaning your dirty dishes and food spills regularly. Also, vacuum your home weekly and keep your drains clean.
If you’re still having trouble with roaches, hire a reputable pest control company to help with your cockroach infestation. Also, mention you have pets, so they use pet-friendly pest control methods if possible.
Additionally, keep cat food bowls clean. If you always leave dry cat food out for your feline, stop this routine and provide smaller portions throughout the day. That way, your cat will consume all food quickly and won’t leave leftovers for pests.
Extra tip: Dirty cat litter attracts cockroaches, so keep your cat’s litter box clean. Or try crystal litter, as it’s inedible for roaches.
Store Your Cat’s Food in Proper Containers
Lastly, I suggest storing your cat’s food in proper containers. That way, your cat’s food will stay fresh longer, and you won’t attract cockroaches to your doorstep.
See more: Can cats eat flies?
*image by lufimorgan/depositphotos