Can Cats Eat Crickets?

Cats are hunters by nature. They just love to chase moving objects, including birds, mice and pesticides. In most cases, when cats catch prey, they consume it to satisfy their predatory instincts. Cats also like to hunt insects, including crickets. So, it’s rational to ask, can cats eat crickets?

Well, crickets are not poisonous or toxic for your feline. In fact, these little insects are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, iron and even protein. So, if crickets are that good for your feline, can cats eat crickets daily?

No, crickets are a great source of protein, but they are still not an ideal food for your feline. The consumption of crickets can lead to oral irritation in cats. Furthermore, your cat might eat crickets with numerous parasites that can cause some severe health complications, including gastrointestinal problems.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about cats and crickets:

Cats and Crickets 

Do cats eat crickets? Crickets are the orthoptera insects related to grasshoppers. Cats love to eat crickets. As these tiny insects are non-toxic, they can consume crickets to satisfy their predatory instincts. Furthermore, crickets in clean conditions are usually safe for humans as well. However, we don’t recommend you to start catching and eating crickets from your garden.

Can cats eat freeze fried crickets? Even though freeze-dried crickets are not harmful to your feline, they are not an ideal addition to your cat’s diet. This is because crickets usually contain pesticides as well as parasites. The consumption of parasites and pests can lead to some serious health complications, including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Choking
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Coma
• Seizure

Health Benefits of Crickets

As mentioned earlier, crickets are not all that bad for your feline. These tiny insects are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamin B-12.  Here are the health benefits of these nutrients to cats:

Calcium 

Crickets are loaded with calcium. Calcium is a crucial nutrient for your feline friend. According to experts, cats require more than 0.6% calcium in their diet, which is enough to balance out the phosphorus. Cats can get calcium from legume plants, meat, organ tissues, dairy and bones.

However, cats can also consume crickets to fulfill their needs of calcium. The common symptoms of calcium deficiency in cats include:

• Increased Injuries
• Limping
• Convulsions
• Panting
• Lethargy
• Stiffness
• Restlessness
• Muscle Twitching

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are also an essential nutrient for your feline friend. On average, crickets contain the same amount of these fatty acids as salmon. For your feline, omega-3 fatty acids are important for healthy skin. This nutrient can reduce inflammation in cats and offer a shinier and fuller coat. 

Vitamin B-12

Crickets are high in vitamin B-12. According to a report issued by Food Chemistry, 100g of crickets contain up to 2.88 µg of vitamin B-12. In comparison, the 100g of:

• Cockroaches contain 13.2 µg of vitamin B-12
• Grasshoppers contain 0.84 µg of vitamin B-12
• Mealworms contain 1.08 µg of vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is crucial for your feline because it promotes a healthier immune system, cognitive functions, digestive tract, and digestive system. Unlike vitamin C, cats cannot produce their own vitamin B-12. So, crickets can be an excellent source of these nutrients for your feline. 

Iron

As most cat foods are rich in iron, iron deficiency is not that common in the feline. However, iron is still an important nutrient for your feline. According to a report, crickets contain twice as much iron content as spinach. As cats cannot eat spinach, crickets are an excellent source of iron for your feline friend.

Iron is essential for your feline because it:

• Removes Carbon Dioxide
• Carry Oxygen Throughout the Body
• Offers Healthy Red Blood Cells

The common symptoms of iron deficiency in cats include:

• Rapid Breathing
• Depressions
• Decreased Growth Rate
• Sickness
• Dark Stools
• Loss of Appetite
• Weakness

Protein

As mentioned earlier, your feline friend is a carnivore, which means he/she requires animal-based proteins and nutrients to survive. While a single cricket is not that rich in protein, too many of these can really make a change.

If the primary source of protein is unavailable, you can offer crickets to your feline. However, make sure your selected crickets are clean and free from pesticides. Can cats eat black crickets? All types of crickets are non-toxic for your feline as long as they are free from parasites.

Health Issues Related to Crickets

Crickets won’t kill your feline friend. However, they can still cause some health complications in cats, including:

Gastrointestinal Complications

If your cat consumes a cricket with parasites, it might lead to gastrointestinal issues. Here are some of the most common gastrointestinal complications related to cats and crickets:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Licking Lips

Insecticides

Cats usually have a sensitive stomach. If your feline friend consumes insects, it can lead to allergies and insecticides. The most common symptoms of these allergies include:

• Abdominal Pain
• Seizures
• Dilated Pupils
• Lethargy
• Vomiting

Oral Irritation

Just like cockroaches, crickets are also born with an exoskeleton. If your feline friend eats crickets, these exoskeletons can cut on its mouth and can lead to oral irritations. Swelling and soreness are the most common signs of oral irritations in cats. Besides these, your feline might show the signs of oral irritation by:

• Bleeding Gums
• Bad Breath
• Reluctant to Eat
• Drooling

My Cat ate a Cricket – What Should I Do?

Well, if your feline consumed a single cricket, you don’t have to worry. Just make sure your cat does not eat any parasites along with crickets. However, if your cat has eaten too many crickets and is showing the symptoms of serious health complications, life gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea, you should visit your vet immediately.

In Conclusion

Can cats eat crickets? Well, the simple answer is, YES. Crickets are not poisonous or toxic for your feline. In fact, these tiny insects are loaded with some essential nutrients, including iron, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and more.

However, if your feline has consumed too many crickets and shows signs of diarrhea or oral irritations, you should contact your vet and follow his instructions.