If your dog’s overall behavior is normal, and they still go to town whenever they see flies, it may be worthwhile to question if they’re getting what they need nutritionally. The health of their digestive system is central to their general wellness, and we’d be happy to help you understand more about their age and lifestyle-specific nutrition.
This time of year in particular, flies are in hot pursuit of making us all crazy and the correct canine response to their yuckiness is to snap their jaws around them, often in mid flight. This can be amusing (and certainly helpful), but is it unsafe when a dog eats flies?
Similarly, many bugs come equipped with different defensive mechanisms, such as terrible taste, discharge, spines, or irritating hairs. Many bugs can also transmit parasites, such as tapeworms, when eaten by dogs.
It’s possible that your dog can tell the difference between various flying insects. However, when a dog eats flies, a potentially dangerous precedent is established. What would stop a fly-eating dog from attempting to chomp down wasps or other stinging, venomous insects?
If you have other questions related to dog behavior, we’re always here for you at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital.
What bugs can dogs not eat?
The easiest way to remember which bugs are bad for dogs – if the bug eats poop, keep it away from puppy!
Any bug that feeds on feces could cause stomach worms.
Watch out for these bugs and make sure your dog doesn’t eat them:
Also, watch out for caterpillars since monarch butterfly caterpillars eat milkweed and milkweed can poison your dog and harm its heart.
Not all spiders will hurt your dog but keep them away anyways since it’s hard to tell which spider your dog is eating. Venomous spiders like the Black Widow or Brown Recluse can make dogs really sick.
Is it normal for dogs to eat bugs?
It’s totally normal for dogs to eat bugs. This doesn’t mean they are sick or need to go to the vet. Bugs to dogs are a small snack that they can play with at the same time.
Why do dogs like eating bugs? That’s a really good question! In fact, why do some dogs eat bugs? And others don’t?
Dogs eat bugs out of curiosity. They see these critters crawling around and have a strange desire to play with them. Sometimes they even nip at them and end up crunching on a few. Other times, dogs just really enjoy the taste and texture of certain bugs.
There are some bugs that could hurt your dog if they eat it. Scary enough, some bugs are even toxic.
Let’s look at which bugs you need to be careful that your dog avoids so you can keep them safe.
Can Dogs Eat Flies?
How many times have you seen your fur baby eating some kind of bug? Sure that grosses us humans out, but can dogs eat bugs? If you have ever wondered if dogs can eat insects, this is the guide for you. Let’s dive into which bugs are safe for dogs to eat and which they should avoid.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about your dog eating any bug, insect, or worm listed in this article. Table Of Contents