{"id":13288,"date":"2022-12-24T15:41:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-24T15:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=13288"},"modified":"2023-03-13T16:19:40","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T16:19:40","slug":"can-dogs-eat-bugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/can-dogs-eat-bugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Dogs Eat Bugs: Toxic and Safe Insects to Digest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why does my dog eat bugs<\/span>? Dogs are inquisitive animals, but they also have a knack for <\/span>sniffing<\/span> and munching on anything they come across\u2014bugs are often the least of a dog owner\u2019s problems considering canines\u2019 pica tendencies!<\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>can dogs eat bugs<\/span> without any health repercussions? Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about, but there are some <\/span>toxic bugs<\/span> out there, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out which ones you’re supposed to be on the lookout for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Dogs Eat Bugs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Is it bad for dogs to eat bugs<\/span>? Whatever dog breed you have, the action of a crawling spider, wiggling caterpillar, or flying bug will stimulate your dog’s interest and excite its hunting instincts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moths, stink bugs, and flies are just a few <\/span>insects<\/span> that canines will likely ingest when given the opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are different types of bugs, though. Some have defense mechanisms such as spines, stingers, or an unpleasant pungent taste. These organisms are well known for possessing bristles that can irritate the skin, like <\/span>butterfly caterpillars<\/span>. One of the monarch butterfly’s most notable characteristics is its foul taste.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, our pets pick up on which bugs they can and cannot eat quite fast. Let’s see which ones are toxic and which ones aren\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know that according to insect population data, there could be up to 30 million species of insects and a third of them are endangered? Take a quick look at <\/span>our insect population statistics article<\/b><\/a> for more information on insects.<\/span><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

When <\/span>Is It OK for Dogs to Eat Bugs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although it may seem unusual to consider <\/span>household bugs<\/span> as a protein source, that seems to be exactly what they are\u2013a <\/span>small snack<\/span>. Eating <\/span>grubs<\/span>, <\/span>crickets<\/span>, and even ants has even become prevalent among people, and it\u2019s a common practice in certain cultures.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, when <\/span>dogs do eat bugs<\/span>, should you worry? Like humans, dogs may not get enough <\/span>protein<\/span> from commercial dog foods alone, so an extra <\/span>treat<\/span> wouldn’t harm them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting off small\u2014<\/span>dogs can eat flies<\/span>. Both ants and flies are safe for dogs because they include a lot of protein and <\/span>vitamin C<\/span>. Depending on where your dog’s food dish is stored, it’s not unusual for it to discover these bugs crawling all over it\u2014and there are no reasons to panic when they eat one of those.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moths are also completely safe for the dog to eat. It might seem gross, but to them, this is just fun and games.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re an arachnophobe, you’ll not enjoy this because <\/span>spiders<\/span> are next on the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spiders are a relatively common household bug that nearly every puppy will encounter at least once. Fortunately, spiders are not intrinsically hazardous to your dog unless they’re venomous, but you\u2019re not likely to host one of those in your house\u2014hopefully!<\/span><\/p>\n

Other bugs that dogs can safely ingest are:<\/span><\/p>\n