It is very unpleasant to hear that cats can eat roaches. Still, it is true that roaches are not as attractive due to their unsanitary behavior as compared to our lovable felines.
Despite that, cats find them interesting to chase due to their sharp, scuttling movement, which awakens cat hunting instinct, and they even eat roaches.
Fortunately, eating roaches does not harm cats, but the potential to carry pesticides, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause health issues. They were so; eating cockroaches is not the best option for cats and their digestive system.
Are cats effective for roaches’ control? Obviously, no, this is an old traditional technique when people consider it best option to rely upon cats to catch bugs, roaches, and mice and keep a home pest-free.
Very effective pest control techniques are available to save the home from pests.
Still, in rural areas, this practice is widespread, where residents face the issue of pests like cockroaches, spiders, mites, and other crawling creatures. The cats don’t run away from this pest; they will hunt and kill them.
Why do cats eat Cockroaches?
Cats are predators, so some always eat their prey, and some do not bother. This means that despite providing our cats or kittens with pet food, they still have a strong instinct to catch prey and eat it.
Cats are carnivores and require animal tissues to meet their nutritional requirements. They can also not form certain essential amino acids, such as taurine, considered the primary amino acid for cats and is required in large amounts.
This amino acid is necessary for cats to meet the requirements of body functioning, and they must outsource it.
Studies have also shown that feral cats commonly consume invertebrates, including cockroaches, with small mammals like birds and reptiles, so catching and eating prey is a natural behavior.
The cat’s curious nature makes them interested in prey cockroaches, but the large size, scuttling, and skittering movement of roaches make them challenging to catch.
Cats also consider roaches crunchy snack treats because of their hard exoskeleton and can enjoy them while eating, but it is a matter of preference.
Is there any Risk to my cat eating Cockroaches?
Cockroaches are non-venomed compared to scorpions, which were preyed on by cats at the time of ancient Egyptians, but eating roaches may cause several health issues for your cat.
They may be a choking hazard as they possess hard exoskeletons and can cause cat poisoning and infections as they carry harmful bacteria, toxins, pesticide residue, and viruses.
Since we don’t follow the cockroaches, we must be aware of their exposure. But in few cases, eating a roach is not a big deal if they aren’t exposed to anything harmful.
Exoskeleton
The exoskeleton of cockroaches is very hard and challenging to chew, swallow, and digest.
Rigid structures can quickly become a choking hazard because Cats Are not able to grind them into small pieces like other animals, and crunching a shell into small pieces can cause mouth injury to cats.
When cats try to chew the shell, it becomes lodged in the throat and chokes, causing lacerations and throat injuries.
If a blockage is formed, it causes many serious health problems and requires medical treatment, even surgery.
In addition to being a choking hazard, the shell is also indigestible because the enzymes and juices of the cat’s stomach cannot digest the exoskeleton’s rigid structure, which can cause stomach injuries.Â
Infections
Roaches’ unsanitary behavior and lifestyle can cause them to carry several infections and diseases.
These can be caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and microbes, which can be picked up from rotten food and fecal matter, such as Salmonella, Giardia, Toxoplasmosis, and worms like Ollanulus Tricuspis.
Pesticides
One of the big problems with roaches is their exposure to pesticides, which are toxic in nature and hazardous for cats.
Most of the time, the pesticides used to exterminate cockroaches inside or outside the cockroach do not cause any issues for Cats,
but if the cats are personally exposed to that chemical, it can cause severe health problems.
To overcome this issue, eliminate cats from your home when you decide on any chemical-based extermination process that can save your cat.
But if a cat is exposed to that chemical, frequently observe the condition and seek medical help.
Signs of pesticide poisoning may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Drooling
- Increased Heart rate
- Trouble in Breathing
Do Eating Roaches give any nutritional benefits to cats?
Only a few species of cockroaches are considered pests, while others are considered the most successful and beneficial insects on Earth.
They are a great source of protein and are considered a superfood. American cockroaches are widely present and have the most significant population among all species.
This species is also considered a replacement for food for humans and livestock due to its good source of protein, fat, and various minerals.
Several studies also confirmed that protein sources from American cockroaches can be an alternative to meat, which helps against climate change and meat shortage.
Several parts of the humans and livestock also eat roaches, not only cats, due to their nutritional importance. It is also used in pharmaceutics and cosmetics manufacturing.
Cockroach milk is also a great source of nutrients, having plenty of carbs, minerals, vitamins, protein, and fat, and potentially a great superfood.
 What do you consider? Are there no benefits to eating roaches?
No, the above literature shows how beneficial it is to eat roaches.
However, as prey, it is difficult to get any benefit from them because their tough exoskeleton and habitat make it difficult for them to give any benefit.
However, you can see in a market commercial diet containing roach protein available for cats, which gives them nutrition, as they discuss above. They are also used in the livestock industry.
My cat ate Combat Roach Bait: What can I do in this situation?
Usually, Boric Acid used in most of the roach killer formulas. If your cat eats roach poison you don’t need to worry because boric acid indigestion easily treatable, you just reach to doctor timely.
Usually, Boric Acid used in most of the roach killer formulas.
If your cat eats roach poison you don’t need to worry because boric acid indigestion easily treatable, you just reach to doctor timely.
If your cat just licks the formula, it only causes mouth irritation.
If my cat eats a poisoned roach what happens to with my cat?
If your cat finds a way to eat poison roach despite of taken all preventive measure and eats just one or two roaches, amount of poison ingested not too much in this case so you don’t need to worry but if your cat eats too much you should rush to hospital on first priority.
FAQs
Do cats attract Roaches?
No, cats don’t attract roaches, but their litter box and food can. If their litter box is left unclean, this may attract roaches, so regular cleaning is necessary to avoid the attraction of different pests.
Food also attracts cockroaches, so do not leave food uncovered. Also, seal food pouches properly, and if you store food in a Bowl or jar, make sure to place it in an airtight bowl or jar.
What do you do when your cat eats roaches?
When your cat eats cockroaches, don’t worry. Observe your cat for 24 hours if you find symptoms like vomiting, digestive upset, behavior change, shortness of breath, drooling, or increased heart rate. Immediately seek medical help and rush to the hospital.
How do you stop your cat from hunting roaches?
Hunting is a natural behavior of cats, so it can be impossible to stop them from hunting because it’s a part of their natural behavior. Your cat’s instincts always encourage them to hunt whatever they like, not cockroaches. Most cats don’t go for it despite their interest because of the scuttling movement of roaches.
Since stopping your cat from hunting is nearly impossible, the only way to stop them is to free your home from roaches and arrange engaging cat toys.
Should I get more cockroaches to home for pest control?
If your cat eats roaches, it doesn’t mean that you get more cats in your home. Cats are predators, so they catch and eat. Eliminating roaches from your home will not help.
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Can cats get worms and parasites by eating roaches?
No, cats will not get any worms and parasites by eating roaches, so feel safe.
Conclusions
Cats are natural predators. They like to catch or hunt every type of insect, including roaches, and eat them whether we like them or not.
Cockroaches themselves are nontoxic to cats, but their exposure to different pesticides, bacteria, viruses, and reptiles makes them harmful to Cats.
If your cat likes to eat roaches, observe them, and if you find any problems, like vomiting, etc., rush to a veterinary doctor to seek medical help.
Homeowners should understand that Cats are not effective for pest control.
To eliminate cockroach infestations in homes, take several steps, such as maintaining good sanitary and cleaning habits, removing clutter, removing food debris, putting leftover food in a covered bin, and using extermination methods.
Contact a pest control agent if you face trouble getting rid of roaches.
