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One warm afternoon, as you sit quietly reading on your sofa, you hear cat paws clattering down the hallway. Suddenly your cat jumps into the air, runs up and over you as you sit up startled, and tries to climb up the wall from the back of the couch. What is going on? Then you see it; a common house fly. Your cat noticed it before you did and he’ll keep after it until it becomes lunch.
Is it okay for it to become lunch?
Why Is My Cat On The Move?
If you have ever owned a cat, you have probably seen it flittering after a fly, scattering after a spider, or even batting around a bee. The reason why they go after creepy crawlers (or fliers) isn’t because they are hungry; it’s because they are cats! Cats love to hunt, stalk, chase, and generally prey upon other moving creatures; this includes mice and all forms of rodents, the aforementioned bug, and even each other. Ever watch 2 cats stalk each other? It’s a hoot!
Even if you live in a place where rodents do not tread, you will undoubtedly have a fly or spider investigate your home at some point. And if they investigate, they will be investigated by your cat. If Fluffy happens to ingest one of these creepers, what next? You might not have anything to worry about with a fly, but are all bugs safe for your cat to eat? Are bugs considered to be a natural cat food? That depends on the bug.
Not So Good
Some bugs actually are a natural cat food because they are full of protein, which is essential to your cat’s health. However, small creatures like that are probably too insignificant to provide much in the way of nutrition, so be sure to feed them a good source of meat and protein at suppertime. (More on that later.) So, letting your cat chase a bug is a great way for him to let out his inner-hunter without letting him hunt things that might cause him bigger trouble. Most creepy creatures are perfectly safe for your cat to ingest, like crickets, house flies, spiders, and even cockroaches. Some creatures to watch out for are:
- Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders. These are dangerous and can even be deadly if they bite a human or a pet. Don’t let your cat play with them; call an exterminator. If your cat gets bit by one, seek help ASAP.
- Beetles and hard shelled insects. Those with hard exoskeletons can be difficult to digest and may end up coming right back up. But they aren’t generally poisonous.
- Bees. Bees can sting your pet and some can cause an allergic reaction, or even just pain and swelling. Some cats can tolerate it and will heal up quickly, but others might have allergies. Let your vet know if your cat has been stung by a bee and seems to be acting out-of-sorts.
- Fire Ants. These ants carry toxic venom and they leave their toxic stingers in their victim after they are long gone. Too many bites can be fatal for any pet, so keep them away from this one.
- Fireflies. Yes, the old fashioned summertime wonder, the lightning bug, is toxic to your cat. The same chemical compound that gives them their glow can make your cat very sick; or worse. Keep these glowing girls away from your curious feline.
As with anything, keep an eye on your cat and take him to see the vet straight away of he starts acting lethargic, is feverish, won’t eat or is showing digestive distress, or if he has a red or swollen bite anywhere. The truth is, most cats know better than to tussle with a foreign bug. Their natural instincts are a great protector.
Poisoning Your Pet Vicariously
One final thing about bugs and creepy crawlers; think twice about poisoning them. If you are trying to rid your home of a bug and you put out poison to do it, but sure that you keep your cat away from the poison. For instance, most rat poisons contain vitamin K, which can be deadly for your cat if they ingest it. If your cat eats too many pesticide-laden insects, it means that they are also ingesting the poison. Always talk to your vet about these issues to keep your furry friend safe and sound.
Natural Cat Food; A Carnivore’s Story
When it comes to feeding your cat natural cat food, we mentioned before the power of protein. Your cat is a carnivore; plain and simple. You might not like to think of Fluffy as an ancient killing machine, but that’s what she is. Cats hunt and kill their prey and meat is on the menu at every meal in the wild. It’s up to you to satisfy her needs with meat-filled cat foods that provide them with the optimal nutrition they need.
Good chicken choices are:
Fish-based cat foods are great, too, if your cat is looking for that fresh catch-of-the-day! Try:
If your cat gets bored with traditional chicken and fish, try mixing it up with a variety of meats that provide something different for her tastes. Some interesting and nutritious varieties to try are:
Leave the flies as a tasty snack and be sure that you pack on the protein at mealtime. While your cat might never lose his love of hunting, he’ll always have his love of you for taking care of him and feeding him the best natural cat food you can.
