We have assumptions in our minds that flies, insects, and bugs are just dangerous for all human beings and animals. This is quite true to some extent but not as complete truth. People tend to wonder and ask questions like, can cats eat flies? Can cats get ill after eating flies? These are authentic concerns and should be addressed properly.
We all know that pet owners love their cats just like any other family member and want them to stay healthy all the time. If you feed the wrong food to your cats, you may not get health benefits as much as you will get the bad effects or health issues in your cats. This article is solely composed to provide all the necessary information related to cats and how they will react after eating flies.
Table of Contents
Does cats eat flies?
Yes, cats can and do eat flies almost all the time whenever they get their paw on them or have a chance to eat. As soon as cats see flies, they will jump to attack or put their paws on flies because hunting and then eating that food is their favorite fun activity.
Flies don’t cause any immediate reactions or long-term illness. The issue can only occur if some external factors are contributing to flies. Some cats are harboring animals while others have gone through a place with pesticide spray. Such factors can make flies harmful for cats to eat.
Do cats like eating flies?
Cats love to chase flying insects and bugs because it is in their genes and it is also a fun activity for them. So, cats do like to chase, hunt, and eat flies whenever they get a chance.
Some cats may even take the hunted fly to their owners because they want to be appreciated for the prize they got. You shouldn’t stop them from doing so as it is good for their health as long as cats are only eating flies occasionally.
Can cats eat house flies?
Yes. House flies are relatively small in size and do not possess any dangers to cats’ health. Your cats should be free to hunt and eat flies or other insects that they like. You only have to ensure that cats are eating such things in small quantities and not so often.
Are flies Ok for cats to eat?
Yes. Flies are OK and safe for cats to eat as long as they are eating in moderation. There are no chances of getting ill or sick health effects if your cat is eating insects, bugs, or flies once in a while. Flies are not only safe for cats but bring a huge amount of protein as well.
The only thing which makes eating flies a bit risky is that sometimes flies come with pathogens, pesticides, and other harmful ingredients that can cause health issues or may affect the cat’s immune system as well.
Can cats get ill from eating flies?
Yes. Cats can get ill from eating flies. Cats have extremely sensitive stomachs and weak immune systems in terms of a variety of food. The body becomes used to specific cat food and eating any other thing may have side effects in some cases.
You should keep an eye on cats if they have eaten flies. Feed them some wet food or water if your cat looks upset. The symptoms of illness can remain no longer than a day and your cat should be back to its original active life within 24 hours.
Can cats get maggots from eating flies?
No, cats don’t get maggots from eating flies. This thing can only happen if your cat was bitten by flies at the time of chasing. When a cat chases flies in an outdoor environment, there are huge possibilities that they may bite the cats and this can result in maggots. Blowflies are the most attacking fly while cats with long hair get more bites than cats with relatively small fur.
Can cats get worms from eating flies?
Yes, cats can get worms from eating flies as worms do transfer from one body to another. They can be extremely harmful as worms immediately begin eating nutrients and minerals from the cat’s body, making it weak. If worms stay for a longer time in your cat’s intestines, they can lead them to some major health issues, illness, or extreme levels of malnutrition.
Why do my cats hunt and eat flies?
You may keep cats in your home, away from the outdoor environment, the instinct of chasing, hunting, and then eating their prey will not go anywhere as it is embedded in cats’ genes. In the normal world, cats survive by hunting insects and reptiles and then eating them.
The behavior remains in cats and they do the same in the closed walls of your house as well. However, this is not a bad thing. Instead, you should let your cats chase, hunt, and eat flies as long as it is in moderation.
What can happen if cats eat flies?
There are many minor to major health issues that can occur if your cat eats flies. Although such things happen if cats eat a lot of flies, some health hazards can happen if cats eat a single fly because sometimes flies bring pesticides and pathogens which initiate the side effects or sickness.
- Germs and harmful organisms can be ingested.
- Pesticides can get inside a cat’s body.
- Bacterial infections in the intestine and digestive tract.
- Gastrointestinal parasites can be developed such as Isospora.
These things can lead to other health issues such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Breathing difficulty
- Upset stomach
- Laziness
- Sleepiness
- Depression
These health issues should not exceed more than 24 hours but if your cat is still showing these symptoms even after a day, contacting a vet would be the best decision.
How to stop cats from eating flies?
Many techniques can be implanted to stop your cats from eating flies. Some of the best and proven methods include the following:
- Always keep your cat’s belly full of food.
- Spray or pour insecticides to repel flies.
- Add proper screens and coverings on doors and windows.
- Put covers on foods and other things that attract flies.
- Offer other fun activities that can distract cats from chasing flies.
- Train your cats not to chase such foods although it is quite difficult.
What insects are considered bad for cats to eat?
There is no denying that various insects, bugs, and flies are completely safe for cats to eat. Some even bring a great number of health benefits as well.
Still, there is a huge number of insects that should be avoided completely or partially because they are toxic. The list goes on with names like:
- Poisonous spiders
- Wasps
- Moths
- Stringers
- Butterflies
- Scorpions
- Ants
What foods should I feed my cat?
Various foods are considered safe and beneficial for cats because of their nutrition. Some of the best and highly appreciated foods by cats include the following:
Frequently Asked Questions
My cats keep on eating flies, should I worry?
Yes. If your cat eats 1-2 flies, once in a while, this is not an issue of concern because flies will only provide protein without causing any health issues. But if your cat is eating a lot of flies regularly, you should take precautions to prevent cats from eating flies. Because eating too many flies can lead to various minor illnesses or health problems.
Do flies lay eggs on cats?
Yes. Some species of flies do lay eggs in cats or any other animal’s fur while others may not. Cats with long fur are considered more prone to such things. The flies that lay eggs on cats more frequently include the following:
- Flesh flies
- Bottle flies
- Blowflies
- Botflies
- House flies
What happens if cats eat fly eggs?
If flies are laying eggs on your cat and these eggs remain on the cat’s skin for a long time, there are chances that the thing will lead to the development of diseases commonly known as maggot spreads. In another scenario, there are also cases where cats don’t feel or experience any bad effects even if there are any eggs laid on them by flies.
The unique literary talents of Dr. A. Barton are well known throughout the veterinary profession. He is a regular contributor to the New York City Veterinarian and his professional articles have also appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Small Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Veterinarian and Philadelphia Medicine. He is the only veterinarian ever to have had an article published in the human medical publication, What’s New.
Interested to know can cats eat crickets or is it ok for cats to eat grasshoppers?
