Can Dogs Eat Cicadas?

You can never be too safe when it comes to your dog’s health. Whenever they go outside, you have to keep a close eye on them so they don’t eat anything sketchy. Especially with all the insects flying around, you need to know what to look out for.

One of the rarer insects is the Brood X Cicada. It comes out of the ground every 17 years to mate before going back underground. And, animals view cicadas as a delicacy, so is it safe for your pet to eat them?

Dr. Jerry Klein from the American Kennel Club, says that a few cicadas won’t hurt your dog. But even so, it’s best to keep your pet away from them, as large amounts of ingested insects can cause digestive issues. The exoskeleton of the insect is difficult to digest, so in large quantities, it can cause severe problems. It can cause irritations to the stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and can pose a choking hazard. In severe cases, medical intervention might be needed.

Either way, it’s better to teach your dog to avoid all insects. While one or two cicadas might be harmful, other insects might pose a real threat. Teaching your dog to avoid eating anything they found outside is the safest option. This can be done by positive reinforcement training. If that doesn’t work, take precautions to avoid insects, like taking walks earlier in the morning.

As long as you pay attention to your dog and make sure they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t, you won’t encounter any issues.