Can Cats Eat Moths?

Can cats eat moths? Generally, moths are insects that are commonly found in our households. They may be in the form of caterpillars or full-grown insects. If you are a pet owner, you may have seen your furry friend going after moths and eating them. So, you might have gone through this thought that can cat eat moths?

Generally, all cats have a hunting instinct, although it is less visible in pet cats. However, like wild cats, homegrown cats have their predator qualities intact and can go after their prey like small insects. Also, cats acquire proteins after consuming moths but are moths safe for your cat?

Can cats eat moths? Yes, moths are safe to eat for your furry friend as long as they are free of insecticides. Also, some caterpillars are toxic and harm your cat with their poisonous stings. Mothballs used for eradicating moths are toxic to your furry friend.

What happens if a cat eats moths?

Can cats eat moths? What are the benefits of feeding moths to cats? Cats rely on a natural diet to obtain proteins which are the building blocks of your cat’s muscular body and internal organs.

Proteins are the most crucial nutrients your feline friend needs as their digestive system is biologically designed to digest proteins more comfortably than other nutrients.

There are several insects in our ecosystem, and your cat is known to be a predator, so it catches and eats insects such as moths.

Now, is this scary if you see your feline fellow consuming moths? The answer to this question is not really. You don’t need to worry if your cat is eating moths as they are also a good source of proteins.

But like many other foods, if your cat overeats moths, it will lead to digestive distress producing diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Mostly, your kitty will vomit instantly, relieving it of toxicity immediately.

Interestingly, the Garden Tiger moth is one of the few types toxic to your furry friend and is most commonly found in North America.

It is still unclear what kind of poison this moth contains and how it affects your kitty, but it is recommended to refrain your cat from hunting this particular moth. If your cat shows serious signs of toxicity, you should call your veterinarian at once.

Risks of eating moths in your cat?

Can cats eat moths? What are the risks of feeding moths to your cat? The biggest risk associated with the consumption of moths is if your cat tries to eat a caterpillar. Caterpillar is the larval stage of adult moths, and with every passing stage, the impact of insects on your cat is different.

Your kitty can easily target caterpillars as they do not possess the ability to fly, but they can protect themselves by stinging your cat.

They are bitter and have chemicals that can be transferred to your cat through their stings. Although these stings produce short-lived effects that are not lethal, a few exotic types of moths have poison in their stings and can be extremely dangerous for your cat. Your cat may experience critical health issues leading to systemic damage.

You can use some chemicals to eliminate moths, but people mostly use mothballs. These pesticides are even more dangerous and toxic to your cat.

A small piece of a mothball is enough to cause toxicity, and its signs include seizures, tremors, vomiting and lethargy, and difficulty breathing.

Also, your cat may suffer from anemia and dehydration. Gastrointestinal disorders also appear as the weak digestive system cannot bear the toxic effects of mothballs.

Are moths bad for cats to eat?

Moths are not considered bad for your furry friend unless it consumes them daily and in a large amount, leading to digestive instability. Also, the poisonous types of moths, including Garden Tiger, are incredibly threatening as they cause systemic damage.

Moreover, moths have a toxic substance on their wings that can hurt your cat when moths retaliate in response to your cat’s attack. The insecticides used to eliminate moths from your house pose a serious threat to your cat and can cause health-related issues.

Are moths safe for cats?

Can cats eat moths? Yes, moths are harmless for your feline buddy, but they can become a health risk if you don’t discourage your cat from eating them. They may contain beneficial proteins for your kitty, but their toxins are a health hazard.

The exotic moths are concerning for your cat as they are poisonous and can compromise your cat’s health. So, it is better to disallow your furry fellow from eating moths and limit the use of mothballs which are risky for your kitty’s health.

Conclusion – Can cats eat moths?

So, can cats eat moths? Yes, cats can eat moths but in a limited quantity. But if you see toxic moths on your premises, immediately stop your cat from eating them.