It is in the genes of cats that they chase different kinds of bugs and insects inside or outside the home. They love to play with them but as soon as they catch them, they will eat them without even thinking a little bit. If you look at how your cat is chasing a bug, you will find it quite entertaining to watch as your cat will be enjoying this but when your cat eats a grasshopper, the first few questions that may come into your mind would be as; Can cats eat grasshoppers? Is it safe for cats to eat grasshoppers? Can eating grasshoppers make your cats sick?
Well, you should have answers to all these questions and this article is solely composed to not only answer your wonders but give you other useful information that will help you keep your cats happy, safe, and healthy at the same time.
Table of Contents
Can my cats eat grasshoppers?
In a single word, Yes. Cats can eat grasshoppers and they do without your permission as well.
They have the habit of chasing down insects and eating them. If your house has a garden, there are huge possibilities that your cats already have eaten grasshoppers.
It can be said that eating grasshoppers is a normal activity for cats as it is inherited in them through their genes.
Do cats like eating grasshoppers?
Most cats like eating grasshoppers but this can vary as well. There is no denying that cats like to chase, hunt down their prey, and eat it but there are also some cats that don’t like to eat insects or a few specific insects.
The only thing that urges some cats to avoid eating grasshoppers in their exoskeleton which sometimes hurt them while chewing or taking it inside through their throat.
Are grasshoppers toxic to cats?
No, grasshoppers are not toxic to cats in any way. This is the reason that they can eat the bugs while in the garden without you knowing and face no health issues or illnesses.
Some people assume grasshoppers to be toxic just because they hear stories of cats getting ill after eating grasshoppers.
Illness can be caused sometimes, not because grasshoppers are toxic but because of the irritation in the throat or mouth caused by exoskeletons.
Is it OK for cats to eat grasshoppers?
It is completely safe for cats to eat grasshoppers as they possess no harm to the health of cats or any other of your precious pets.
Although they are OK for cats to eat, they don’t provide as many nutrients, minerals, and vitamins as required by your cats.
This is why it is better to avoid feeding grasshoppers as the exoskeletons can hurt their throat or may lead to some gastrointestinal problems mainly including digestion issues and injuries.
Are grasshoppers healthy for cats to eat?
Not really. If you are asking about whether feeding grasshoppers will cause any issues then we can say that there are very minor risks that make it quite healthy.
But if you think that grasshoppers can replace any of the cat’s daily routine food then you are completely wrong.
Grasshoppers don’t have the ability to meet the nutrients required by the cats to grow, develop, and stay healthy and in the best shape.
Are grasshoppers poisonous for cats to eat?
The answer totally depends on the different types or species of grasshoppers. The fact is that almost all the grasshoppers, especially the ones with green or brown color skins, are completely safe for cats as they are non-poisonous.
However, it is highly recommended not to feed grasshoppers having bright-colored skins as most of them are toxic as well as poisonous to cats and can badly affect their health.
Is it harmful to cats to eat grasshoppers?
No, it is not harmful to cats to eat grasshoppers and experts claim that your cats can safely eat 1-2 grasshoppers whenever she finds them in the garden.
Digesting the exoskeletons is the only risk of eating grasshoppers as it can cause harm. These exoskeletons can cause injuries or irritations in cats’ mouths, throats, or any part of their digestive tracts.
What happens if my cats eat grasshoppers?
Although there are very few chances of harm that can happen if your cats eat grasshoppers, the exoskeletons can cause some serious issues mainly including:
- Mouth discomfort
- Throat discomfort
- Gastrointestinal distress
Keeping exoskeletons aside, grasshoppers can cause some other health issues as well because anything which is safe to eat can cause issues if overeat or eaten too frequently. Some of the most common and major health issues that may result after eating grasshoppers include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Allergies
How to serve grasshoppers to cats?
Firstly, analyze whether your cats like grasshoppers to be crushed or like to eat them in actual shape. If they like them crushed, it can easily be done using a pin and putting a force on the grasshopper’s belly area.
- Firstly cut off the grasshopper’s head.
- Put 1-3 grasshoppers in a cat food bowl.
- You may add water or any other food material to enhance the taste.
You can store grasshoppers by putting them in a freezer bag but it will make them smell bad. Still, it will not affect cats or their liking of grasshoppers by any means.
Nutrition Facts of Grasshoppers
Having proper knowledge of what food has to offer makes it easy for the pet owners to decide whether it should be fed to the cats or should be avoided.
Below is a related table mentioning every little chunk of minerals, nutrients, and vitamins that are part of grasshoppers’ overall composition.
| Grasshopper (100 grams) | Nutrition Facts |
| Calories | 335 |
| Saturated fat | 3.5g |
| Monounsaturated fat | 1.5g |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.4g |
| Sodium | 29mg |
| Potassium | 57 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Net carbs | 35g |
| Sugar | 31.5g |
| Cholesterol | 19.8g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Vitamin A | 40.2μg |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.4μg |
| Vitamin K | 0.6μg |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.2mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.1μg |
| Calcium | 30.9mg |
| Iron | 0.1mg |
| Magnesium | 4.2mg |
| Phosphorus | 33.2mg |
| Zinc | 0.1mg |
| Copper | 0.1mg |
| Selenium | 1.9μg |
| Niacin | 0.1mg |
| Folate | 0.7μg |
| Choline | 6.1mg |
| Water | 90.2g |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats chase grasshoppers?
Cats don’t try to find grasshoppers from the ground but if they see one, they will chase it as far as they can. Chasing, hunting, and then eating the prey are in the genes of the cats and nothing can change this habit. In a nutshell, chasing different bugs and insects is just a fun activity for the cats and they love doing it whenever they get a chance.
Can eating grasshoppers kill cats?
Eating grasshoppers will not kill your cats as it is non-toxic and almost safe for cats to eat. Although digesting exoskeletons can cause some irritation, the hurt will still not be so bad that it can cause your cat to die of the pain.
Why do cats eat grasshoppers?
We can say that cats eat grasshoppers just because they are prey and cats love to chase them. Scientists and experts say that it is a major portion of cats’ innate predatory tendencies. Apart from this, most cats even like the taste of the grasshoppers or maybe enjoy the texture while some just don’t want to eat them at all.
Should I prevent my cats from chasing grasshoppers?
If there are a lot of grasshoppers and you feel that cats can eat a bunch of them in a single sitting, you should stop them from chasing grasshoppers. However, if your cats will only be able to eat 1-2 grasshoppers, once in a while, you don’t need to do anything as it is a normal phenomenon and will not cause any health problems to cats.
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.
