Can Dogs Eat Cicadas?
Its been 17 years, but its that time again: cicada season! This years anticipated swarm is known as Brood X and has started to emerge across the country. Even if you have mixed feelings about these loud bugs basically everywhere, your dog might be psyched to add a new treat to his diet. Believe it or not, some vets are warning that pups might try to eat one (or all of them) out of curiosity. According to BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, your dog can safely have a few, but too many can be dangerous. Heres what else you should know before your dog eats a cicada. Cicadas arent considered to be dangerous for dogs to eat in small amounts  though you obviously shouldnt encourage the behavior. Theyre not poisonous and they dont sting  but they have a tough exoskeleton that might be difficult for a dog to digest. If your dog eats too many cicadas, he might experience stomach issues, like food bloat. Cicadas small size also makes them a choking hazard for dogs, so youll definitely want to keep an eye on him if hes around any. (And try not to take the cicada from his mouth, which might cause him to swallow it, leading to possible choking!) Cicadas might also have pesticide residue on them that can be dangerous for dogs in large amounts, which is yet another reason to make sure your dog doesnt eat too many. Cicada allergies in dogs  Its also possible that your dog could have an allergic reaction to a cicada, though this is rare. Cicadas are actually really similar to crustaceans biologically, so dogs with shellfish allergies can also have an allergic reaction to cicadas. If your dog eats a cicada and shows signs of an allergy, take him to the vet ASAP. How many cicadas it would take to make your dog sick depends on his size. You should try to keep your dog from eating any cicadas, but if your large dog sneakily happens to eat a few, hell probably be OK.  That being said, you shouldnt encourage him to eat the insects, and you should prevent this from happening when possible. If your dog eats a ton of cicadas, or just a few, and has a bad reaction, you should take him to the vet immediately. Supervise your dog outdoors  Whenever youre outside with your dog during cicada season, youll want to keep a close eye on him to make sure he stays away from cicadas. And be sure to steer clear of shrubs, trees and fences, which is usually where the cicadas like to hang out. If you catch your pup munching on a cicada, be careful not to try to take it from him, which could possibly cause him to swallow the bug quickly and choke on it. Let him finish his so-called snack and then take him inside. Every dog will react differently to seeing a cicada, but if your dog just loves to gobble them up, some training might help. Training your dog not to eat cicadas  Cicadas are literally everywhere, so the best way to keep your dog from overindulging is by teaching your dog to drop it.  Here are steps to follow to train drop it:  Let your dog play with a toy he kind of likes. When its in his mouth, offer him a treat he really likes and say, Drop it. If he drops the toy, praise him with cuddles. Keep repeating until he drops the toy when he hears the cue without the treat present. If he doesnt drop the toy without the treat present, increase the time between the cue and the treat slowly until he gets the hang of it. It will take some repetition and patience, but itll totally be worth it. And sooner or later, youll be able to take your dog outside without totally stressing out about it.