There is a long list of research studies and documented evidence that rank flies as some of the deadliest insects.
in fact, flies are known to transmit a wide spectrum of diseases. examples include typhoid fever, salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, gastroenteritis, trachoma, worms, to name just a few. therefore, medical experts advise against any contact between flies and humans.
The constant demonization of flies has caused most of us to acquire a natural hatred for these insects. If you also have a cat, you may be wondering if the infections that flies can transmit to humans apply to cats as well.
One of the common concerns veterinarians often get from cat owners is: “My cat keeps eating flies and it makes me wonder if my cat can get sick from eating flies?”
Technically, cats can eat flies. Like many other critters and insects, flies are not immediately harmful to cats. problems can arise only if the fly currently has an infection that it can transmit to your cat, or if it has been contaminated with toxic insecticides.
So, is it safe for cats to eat flies?
While flies are not an immediate danger to cats, there are safety concerns to be aware of.
read on as we delve into cat flies. the post will highlight why cats eat flies, what could go wrong, and what you can do to prevent your cat from eating these insects.
why do cats eat flies?
Is it okay for my cat to eat flies? We’ll find out later if flies are okay for your cat or not.
First, let’s start easy by understanding why cats actually eat flies.
Now the main reason cats eat flies is because cats are natural hunters and are instinctively designed to chase anything that moves.
Cats may have lived with their human owners for thousands of years. However, these animals haven’t lost most of their natural instincts, one of which is their strong prey drive.
As natural hunters, cats tend to chase randomly moving things. if the cat manages to catch a fly, it might as well eat the insect. after all, the idea of hunting prey is to eat it.
Another reason why cats hunt flies is that insects are the ultimate cat toy.
flies are pretty hard to squash. and although your feline friend is a very flexible animal, it can take him hours to successfully catch a fly. but the cat loves it that way.
while a fly lands on and jumps off surfaces at random to avoid being caught, the cat actually thinks the fly is enjoying the game.
Then, your kitto will continue to chase the insect until it is caught or the fly is completely out of sight. and this brings us back to our earlier question, is it okay if cats eat flies?
well, the truth of the matter is that we love it more when our cats chase flies but hate it when they catch bugs and eat them.
Although we’ve already highlighted that flies are not an immediate danger to cats, it’s safe to assume that eating flies could have implications for your feline friend’s long-term health. besides, seeing a cat biting a fly is pretty gross.
is there any benefit if my cat plays with flies?
yes. playing with flies keeps your feline friend physically stimulated. your cat can play with these animals for hours and, meanwhile, release their accumulated energy.
plus, chasing flies prevents the insects from settling on surfaces to lay their eggs.
better yet, prevent them from contaminating your food (in the case of house flies), especially if the insects threaten to infest your kitchen.
what happens if cats eat flies?
So far, there doesn’t appear to be any major health problems as a result of cats eating flies. and that may make some cat owners wonder, are flies good for cats to eat?
Well, after all, flies might not be entirely safe for cats to eat. As we’ve already hinted at, there are a few things you should pay attention to.
essentially, the following are the main health risks when it comes to cats that eat flies.
- if the cat eats more insects than it should,
- if the fly is contaminated with a harmful pesticide or insecticide, and
- whether the insect contains active pathogens that it can transmit to your feline friend
- bacterial pathogens
- bacillus (including anthrax)
- campylobacter
- escherichia
- helicobacter
- listeria
- salmonella
- staph
- fungal pathogens
- microsporum
- moniliella
- rhizopo
- rodotorula
- scopulariopsis
- parasitic pathogens
- ascaris
- Cryptosporidium
- giardia
- metastrongyl
- had
- trichuris
1. eating more flies than it should
Now, it is difficult to establish the exact number of flies that are considered dangerous for cats to eat. in most cases, cat owners realize their feline friends ate too many bugs when it’s too late.
if your cat has eaten more than its share of flies, the animal may experience a series of gastrointestinal complications.
the most common symptoms to watch for include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
note that these complications may not necessarily imply that the flies consumed are toxic. instead, they mean that the cat’s digestive system has suddenly been introduced to an unfamiliar food.
It’s similar to the digestive problems we humans experience when we suddenly adopt an unfamiliar diet.
but even if your cat doesn’t develop any digestive problems after eating a lot of flies, you should worry about it. eating too many flies could be indicative of a malnourished cat.
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2. eating contaminated flies
in regions where fly infestation is endemic, most people use pesticides or insecticides to try to get rid of these insects.
Many pesticide products are highly effective against flies. unfortunately, only a handful of these products are formulated with pets in mind.
so unless you spray your home or yard with pet-safe insecticides, you’re not just killing flies. you could also expose your cat to toxins from these products.
symptoms of pesticide poisoning range from vomiting and diarrhea to lethargy, drooling, loss of appetite, etc.
in the worst case, cats exposed to contaminated flies could die, depending on the strength of the pesticides used.
what makes it even more risky for your cat to eat contaminated flies is that there will be lots of bugs out there. as such, your cat may eat several of them, further exposing himself to the toxins from these pesticides.
As a responsible pet parent, your best bet is to schedule a visit with your vet as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms.
3. Eating flies that contain active pathogens
This is arguably the greatest risk associated with cats that eat flies.
Worms are some of the common pathogens your cat may be exposed to after eating flies. So, you may have been wondering, can cats get worms from eating flies?
yes, they can. certain species of flies are known to transmit potentially dangerous worms. examples of these worms include tapeworms and physaloptera.
The following are other pathogens that have been identified in flies that could make your cat sick;
In addition to the above pathogens, some flies can even transmit viruses to your feline friend.
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still with the pathogens, some pet owners may wonder, can my cat get worms from eating flies?
Essentially, maggots are produced when a fly lays its eggs in your cat’s open wound or irritated skin. therefore, it is unlikely that your cat will contract worms from eating flies.
however, the cat can still get a worm infection, known as myiasis, from eating worms.
but can flies lay eggs on cats?
yes. flies often lay eggs in decaying wounds or fecal matter. cats with oozing wounds are common targets for egg-laying flies.
and that also leads to the questions, can cats eat fly eggs and if so, can cats get sick from eating fly eggs?
fly eggs are not harmful by themselves. however, remember that flies tend to lay their eggs on decaying wounds or matted hair that is contaminated with fecal matter. That means your cat can get sick if he eats fly eggs from any of these places.
how to prevent your cat from eating flies
Having discussed the potential risks associated with flies, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to reduce your cat’s exposure to these insects.
The good news is that there are numerous ways to prevent a cat from eating flies.
✔ Feed your cat well: Feeding your cat well may not stop her from chasing flies. but it will surely prevent him from eating the insects even if he manages to catch them.
✔ Install screen doors and windows: Screen doors and windows allow light and air to enter and keep out flies and other insects.
✔ Don’t leave food out: This is another measure to keep flies out of your home.
Remove spilled food from your table, open shelves, and pet food bowls. at the same time, dispose of all animal feces and other decaying matter in tightly closed trash containers.
✔ Use pet-safe pesticides: If you must spray your home or yard, opt for pet-safe pesticides and insecticides.
In addition to these measures, you can also consider buying your cat a toy that looks like a fly. most importantly, make sure you have regular vaccination and deworming schedules for your furry friend.
conclusion: can cats eat flies?
cats can eat various forms of flies, and there shouldn’t be any immediate cause for alarm.
However, problems could arise if your kitto eats more flies than it should, or if the flies are contaminated with pathogens and insecticides.
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