Bug OverloadJune bugs aren’t toxic, but if your dog eats a lot of them,he could get an upset stomach, accompanied by
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Common Questions About Dogs and Bugs
Before we get into the specific bugs, let’s look at some common questions dog owners have about their dogs eating bugs. Chances are you might have these questions too.
Most bugs are pretty harmless to dogs and could even add a bit of protein to their diet. But should they eat them? Since it is totally normal and harmless (for the most part) you can allow them to be curious and explore their world.
You don’t have to encourage them to eat the bugs, they will do that all on their own.
Or will dogs eat bugs? And the answer to both is yes. Dogs are naturally curious creatures. It’s in their nature to play with bugs and even chomp on a few of them.
Toxic Bugs Your Dog Should AvoidSometimes it’s not so much the bug, but the bug’s diet that can pose the greatest risk for your dog. Monarch caterpillars ingest Milkweed, which is highly toxic to dogs. It causes vomiting, nausea and can affect the heart. Thankfully, the bitter taste of these bugs makes it unlikely for your dog to ingest them. Although Monarch caterpillars do make Milkweed part of their diet, caterpillars of any variety may come into contact with or eat plants with characteristics that are harmful to other animals. Better to leave most of them alone. Some bugs, such as cicadas and stink bugs, can swarm in large numbers. A very enthusiastic pup might encounter them and think of them as a buffet. While a few aren’t harmful on their own, if a dog is allowed to consume a large number of them uninhibited, it can cause a mass known as a bezoar to form in the stomach that may need to be surgically removed. Expensive and gross. Bees and wasps, it goes without saying, are not good for your dog to eat. Not only do they possess stingers that can cause serious harm to their face or eyes, an unlucky pup might run into a swarm or a nest. Be sure to regularly check your property for any signs of nesting insects and if you encounter one, contact a bee keeper or exterminator to come help clear it! Another hazard to bug-consumption to consider is parasites. Cockroaches, in particular, are prone to parasites. They regularly come in contact with feces, and eating them can easily cause your dog to contract these same parasites in their digestive tract. Grasshoppers are another toxic bug that your dog should be kept away from. They will be tempted to chase after them in late summer, when they are leaping around your back yard, but they carry roundworms and parasites that can be harmful. Grasshoppers that have been in farmer’s fields have also most likely come in contact with pesticides or toxic fertilizers which would be toxic if ingested. If you keep a garden, you may want to watch for your dog to take an interest in earthworms, slugs and snails. These slow moving, ground loving creatures are not the most exciting creature for your dog to pursue with his chase instinct, but they are very commonly found in most back yards. These bugs can give your dog lungworms, which are potentially fatal if left untreated.
It’s a somewhat new idea to think of bugs as a source of protein, but that is precisely what they are. As humans, it has become more common to eat grubs and crickets and even ants. Some cultures do this regularly, in fact. Similarly, bugs can provide additional protein to a dog’s diet, which it may be lacking if it only consumes mass-produced commercial kibble. Ants are harmless to dogs and have a high dose or protein and vitamin C. It is not uncommon, depending on where your dog’s food dish is kept, for him to find ants crawling around in his food. Unfortunately for the ants, it is completely harmless for your dog to snarf them up right along with his dinner! Moths, another common unwanted intruder in your home, are also totally harmless for your dog to consume. They will be tempted to chase them around the house and try to snatch them out of the air. When a particularly big one is whizzing around the house, my dog is welcome to take care of it for me! Spiders are an extremely common household insect that almost every pup is going to encounter more than once. Thankfully, spiders are not inherently dangerous for your dog to consume providing they are not poisonous! Any dog, the same as any human, would need medical attention if it came in contact with one of the more common toxic spiders such as a brown recluse or a black widow. The risks of encountering one of these species is different depending on where you live. Make sure you research common types of spiders in your area, so that if something does go awry, you can quickly narrow down the culprit! Providing that as an owner, you are well informed on what types of insects are potentially hazardous and which ones are safe, your beloved best buddy can actually increase his protein consumption through insects! Even as humans, our food industry and quest for alternative protein sources is constantly changing. One of the most naturally protein-rich and readily available sources comes from crickets! Try Jiminys Cricket Cookies Treats for Dogs in Peanut Butter & Blueberry flavor