What about bugs?

Okay, I put this in nutrition just as a "joke" (so if it winds up being moved, that's okay).

Well, it seems that those large roaches have discovered a way in to the litter box (will have to talk with exterminator services to see what I can do... or maybe someone here has a suggestion) - and my fur family has found new playthings because I caught them playing with one.

Today I found bug parts so obviously at least one of them has decided to kill and eat after playing. I know cats, if given the opportunity, will hunt, kill and eat things like mice, lizards, birds seemingly without any harm to their health.... as the subject line says, what about bugs?

Obviously I would rather not have them, and I don't know what to do to get rid of them right now (there is a hole underneath the sink in the wall) - nor do I know if they have been exposed to poison in another unit and have it in their bodies.

I'm not freaking out, but I am perplexed as to what to do next? If they are not toxic to kittens (even though one reads that they are a germ factory) I won't care... but if not, I need to know and do something as soon as I can.

Thank.

When Lox ate a roach she was totally fine. I know some people feed crickets to their cats because of their high protein content. 

I don't know where you are (US? Somewhere else?), but if you're talking about palmetto bugs then there isn't much that you can do. They can somehow squeeze through the smallest places! Anyway, my cats are going to kill them whether or not I want them to, so I chose not to exterminate. So far no illnesses from them.

peaches08 said:

I don't know where you are (US? Somewhere else?), but if you're talking about palmetto bugs then there isn't much that you can do. They can somehow squeeze through the smallest places! Anyway, my cats are going to kill them whether or not I want them to, so I chose not to exterminate. So far no illnesses from them.

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Atlanta - these are similar to those ginormous Palmetto bugs in South Florida (where I grew up). Oh, you know, I see your location is Georgia. Well then.... here's hoping they are just a little bit of free protein.

It isn't that I don't respect animal/insect life... I just have a rule with bugs - as long as they are outside AND if they leave ME alone, I leave them alone. Once they come inside, not so much, LOL.

I'm on St. Simons Island; originally from Atlanta area. And yep, free protein. As far as my cats killing them, what I meant was that I can't monitor them constantly. I come home or wake up and find bug parts. What I can do is limit pesticides...well, somewhat.

Mouse will play with, and eat if he can, any bugs, flies, spiders or moths he can get his  paws and teeth on. I often sit wishing he was better at catching moths as I see my woolen clothes getting munched away to dust.      With the stuff I get here I can be reasonably confident they haven't come in from somewhere carrying bug poison but I do worry about what nasties Mouse might pick up from them in the form of parasites or infections.  He hasn't come up with anything yet but I am interested in what ever information comes out in this thread.

I let my cats eat household bugs all the time. It's entertaining for them, and most bugs aren't harmful for them to eat. My biggest concern with cockroaches would be pesticide exposure. If your neighbors are using anything to kill roaches, then poisoned roaches could be getting into your home too. They are very resilient and may contain some poison even if it hasn't killed them.

prairiepanda said:

I let my cats eat household bugs all the time. It's entertaining for them, and most bugs aren't harmful for them to eat. My biggest concern with cockroaches would be pesticide exposure. If your neighbors are using anything to kill roaches, then poisoned roaches could be getting into your home too. They are very resilient and may contain some poison even if it hasn't killed them.

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I simply don't know regarding pesticides - except that the Condominium complex uses a commercial service and I'm pretty sure that they are pet friendly. I'll have to check.

Hm, another thought as to why such an invasion (gonna be creepy, sorry, just came to mind)... my next door neighbor's door is sealed and I know she had major health problems... there is a chance she either passed away or was taken to a hospice, in which case I don't know the state of what's inside the condo when it was sealed. More things to look into. I'll ask the building representative what's going on. I just noticed this.

Anyway, it seems the consensus here (and with friends) is that bugs are just some more protein. Eh, if I see them with one, I'll put it out of its misery, otherwise, not worry.

I have a good feeling that exposure to a few cockroaches' worth of pesticides is not going to harm your cat for more than one poop cycle. Gov eats stinkbugs, flies, a few cockroach parts here and there...obviously cats are going to be attracted to crawly things. Hopefully, the bugs will eventually stop coming around where they will suffer a slow torturous death. And, lots of bugs come inside the house seasonally or because of bad weather, so mind that if you want to proof your house accordingly. 

Is it weird that I kinda WANT some bugs in my apartment? Free protein is free protein! Been looking for a source of crickets but all I find are freeze-dried crickets dusted with powder...

Yes, I almost wish a  mice would find itself into my house.  Free protein.

Ritz prefers the kind of bugs that find their way into my house.  She ignored the crickets I spent hard earned money for (11 cents each) at Petco.

And I think cats quickly learn which bugs are tasty and which are not.

Okay, either I'm not so weird or y'all are weird. What I mean is I kind of am okay with (even at one time hoped for) bugs to find their way in for entertainment value (stimulating the hunters). Of course now that it has happened, well.... those bugs are just nasty. And I'm not the only one who has thought about those crickets!

I am (was) a clean/neat freak who has had to learn to let it go, at least for awhile... until the little ones mature. I have an old carpet that had small tears that became large tears (couldn't resist pulling at it, could they?)... doors that have become scratched and damaged (had to put aluminum sheeting on the bottom - not very pretty) because they were old too... All waiting to be repaired when these kittens grow into adult cats. Sigh, so now it is bugs in the condo. This too shall pass when my masters deign it time to settle down.

I hate bugs so much. I cannot stand to kill any bug if I can hear or feel it squish. When we had bugs in the past I would quickly run and grab Peanut and put him in front of the bug. Problem solved. Now neither of my cats care about bugs so I'm forced to take care of them myself. Peanut never had a problem after eating one.

One time I had a fly I just couldn't catch. Peanut was young and a big hunter so he was determined to catch it. It flew in the bathroom and I locked them both in and let Peanut have some fun. A few minutes and many many crashes later Peanut left victorious. I on the other hand had a a completely destroyed bathroom. lol

Shouldn't be a problem. I would definitely find out what neighbors are using on the bugs, if anything, but like others said, if they were poisoned, it would be an extremely small amount. Your cat is much bigger than they are, so while I would want to know, I wouldn't freak out.

Pearl used to eat bugs when she was younger and cared more for the chase. Pia hasn't had much opportunity yet. She did hunt and kill a bug, but she didn't eat it. I think it probably tasted bad. Some bugs have that as a defense mechanism, even if they aren't necessarily poisonous.

There aren't many poisonous species around here, so I generally don't worry about it if they catch one. I too hate bugs, and I would much rather they catch them than me!

I know my Poppy has eaten bugs. The bugs themselves shouldn't, for the most part, do anything bad. The thing I would worry about the most is if the bugs are carrying any parasites or diseases.

pinkman said:

 
Is it weird that I kinda WANT some bugs in my apartment? Free protein is free protein! Been looking for a source of crickets but all I find are freeze-dried crickets dusted with powder...

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Your local pet store should be able to provide you with crickets.

pinkman said:

 
Is it weird that I kinda WANT some bugs in my apartment? Free protein is free protein! Been looking for a source of crickets but all I find are freeze-dried crickets dusted with powder...

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I get  crickets and a variety of other feeder insects for the Ts from Petsmart. But live crickets in particular are very common feeders, so you should be able to find them in any pet store. Many stores hide the cricket stocks in the back because they creep people out, so you should ask about it.

My ladies torture, kill and partially eat any bug that comes in. Since they spend most of the daylight hours on the back porch, they have a good supply. They particularly love katydids. Sugar and Spice drag them inside, drop them in the tub, and make like a Roman Coliseum there.

catspaw66 said:

 
........................ Sugar and Spice drag them inside, drop them in the tub, and make like a Roman Coliseum there.

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             Must be great fun cleaning your tub.

Usually all I have to do is pick out the leftover back legs. They also like to play with Daddy Longlegs in there. I just pick up what is left and toss it into the toilet.