Have you ever seen a cat hunting for Critters inside your house? Do cats kill roaches?
If a cat kills a roach will it eat it? Is it poisonous for a cat to eat a cockroach?
Sometimes I wonder how my cat can detect a cockroach. Are they hearing them, smelling them or seeing them?
In this article, we will find out the answer to the question, “Do cats kill roaches?”
Do Cats Kill Roaches?
Yes. Cats are famous for killing multiple varieties of pests in and around their homes. A cat has no problem being able to stomp and kill a cockroach because they are mesopredators.
A cat has no fear when hunting down cockroaches, but we shouldn’t encourage them to eat them. This is because cockroaches can carry many diseases and infections that may lead to complications in your cat’s overall health.
If your cat kills the cockroach, dispose of the disgusting pest immediately and do not let your cat eat it. Reward your cat with another treat instead.
Is It Ok for Cats to Eat Cockroaches?
No. It is not safe and okay for a cat to eat a cockroach. We should not encourage it. Cockroaches are known to be unsanitary and may harbor diseases or infections.
The amount of bacteria that is located on a cockroach is unsafe for our feline friends to consume. Even though cockroaches are a great source of protein and vitamin B12, they are not sanitary enough for a healthy option to give our cats.
We can supply our cats with a well-balanced diet of meaty proteins through other means.
Do Cats Keep Cockroaches Away?
Cats are an excellent source of pest control. They are able to attack many rodents and insects because of their natural hunting instincts. This is why cats would be able to keep cockroaches away.
They will notice slight movements and their ability to even hear the sound of cockroaches appearing from their hiding place is excellent. They will quickly be stomped on and caught by our feline friends.
When this occurs, do not allow the cat to eat the cockroach because of the health risks associated with these disgusting insects. Cats are persistent. They will prevent a population of cockroaches from growing and infesting your home.
Can I Make My Cat Get Rid Of Cockroaches?
You do not have to teach your cat to hunt cockroaches. Cats have a natural instinct to hunt. Outdoor cats can prevent rodents or other animals from entering your property.
Indoor cats can detect the slightest motion of insects are other creatures that should not be there. This includes cockroaches. It is normal in common for a cat to be able to pounce on a cockroach and kill them.
This is an unpredictable and inconsistent approach to a cockroach problem. If you wish to get rid of these pests, you should set up cockroach bait traps instead.
Do Cockroaches Avoid Cats?
Cockroaches wish to avoid any potential threat that is larger than it. They use defense mechanisms such as their hard exoskeleton and their ability to squeeze into small spaces to get away when they sense any danger nearby.
Cockroaches will try to avoid humans and cats alike. They are especially shy and careful when they are undergoing their molting stages where they shed their exoskeleton and are susceptible to being eaten with their soft and light colored frame.
Are Cockroaches Safe for Cats To Eat?
Even though a cockroach is a source of protein, they are not safe for your cats to eat. Cockroaches are known to carry bacteria and other types of harmful parasites.
Is it bad for cats to eat cockroaches? Yes, because there is a chance that your cat can become sick. They are unsanitary and can harbor parasitic worms and upset your cats gastrointestinal system. Cockroaches are not toxic, but they pose enough health risk to your cat.
If a cat eats a cockroach, they may exhibit some of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Salivation or drooling
- Breathing difficulties
- Diarrhea
- Persistent twitching
- Skin inflammation
- Collapse
- Changes to urination
- Dehydration
Is It Normal for Cats to Eat Cockroaches?
It is normal for a mesopredator like a cat to spend the majority of their time on the lookout for smaller critters to hunt. This includes cockroaches.
Unfortunately, the exoskeleton of a cockroach can attract poisons and bacteria that could cause severe irritations for your cat. You may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Drooling
- Bleeding gums
- Excessive swallowing
- Pawing at the face
- Teeth chattering
- The cat may experience loss of appetite and weight loss
- Gastrointestinal Upset
If you notice any of these symptoms you must act immediately. Your cat needs to visit the vet.
Will Eating a Cockroach Make My Cat Sick?
There is always a risk of your cat becoming sick if they eat a cockroach. Your cat has a natural tendency to hunt. If you noticed that your cat has killed a cockroach, you can reward with a cat treat.
Dispose of the carcass of this cockroach before your cat has a chance to consume it. Some negative risks include the following:
- Excessive lip-licking
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Yowling
- Hiding
- Parasites
Cockroaches have been researched and concluded to be able to carry multiple parasites and bacteria. They can lead to harmful diseases such as:
- Gastroenteritis
- Dysentery
- Salmonella
- E. Coli
- Poliomyelitis
- Bacterial diseases
Cockroaches can also give your cat parasitic worms such as:
- Ascaris
- Trichuris
- Capillaria
- Toxocara
- Hook worm
- Eimeria
If you notice your cat developing some of the signs and symptoms below, please visit a vet immediately:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Dull coat
- Lack of energy
- A swollen or distended belly
- Excessive cleaning of the area around the bottom
- Blood in feces
- Abdominal pain
How Do Cats Detect Cockroaches?
Cats are able to detect cockroaches with their excellent senses of:
- Hearing
- Smell
- Sight
- Vibration detection skills
We may not hear or feel a cockroach’s presence, but a cat definitely can do so better than us. They have a better sense of smell it is 14 times better than us.
With 70,000 smell receptors compared to 20,000 to humans, cats will have no trouble smelling a cockroach. Cats can see 7 times better than humans in the dark and their retina received 50% more available light.
Conclusion
Your cat is a natural hunter, but should not be encouraged to kill cockroaches. If your cat has a killer instinct, then they will exhibit their hunting tendencies and be able to find cockroaches before we do.
We can reward our cats with treats, but we should never encourage them to consume a cockroach due to their unsanitary conditions and susceptibility to harbor diseases or illnesses.
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