Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by admin
Yes, cats can eat crickets. A cricket is not toxic to cats, and catching one in the house is normal hunting behavior. A store-bought feeder cricket is the safest kind; wild crickets carry a small risk of parasites or pesticide residue. Keep it to an occasional one or two, since a cricket is a toy and a snack, not part of a balanced diet.
Are crickets safe for cats to eat?
For most healthy adult cats, yes. Crickets do not sting, are not venomous and contain no known toxins. The risks are about where the cricket came from and how many your cat eats, not the cricket itself:
- Parasites. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists crickets, beetles and cockroaches as insects that can carry the larvae of Physaloptera, a stomach worm of cats and dogs. Infections are often silent but can cause vomiting, poor appetite and dark stools.
- Pesticides. A cricket that has crawled through a recently treated yard, garage or baseboard may carry insecticide.
- Volume. The exoskeleton is hard to digest. A cat that eats many at once may vomit or have soft stool.
Wild crickets vs. pet store crickets
| Crickets in the house or yard | Feeder crickets (pet store) | |
|---|---|---|
| Toxicity | Not toxic | Not toxic |
| Parasite risk | Possible | Lower (farm-raised) |
| Pesticide risk | Possible if the area was treated | Low |
| Best use | Not worth worrying about if one gets eaten | Occasional enrichment, one or two at a time |
Live, frozen-thawed and dried crickets are sold as reptile food in many pet stores. If you offer them to your cat, choose plain crickets with no added coatings or flavorings, and do not offer anything labeled “gut-loaded” with supplements meant for reptiles without checking the ingredients. A cricket a cat catches indoors does not need any special action.
Can cats eat crickets in the house?
Usually without a problem. If the only treatment your home has had is routine cleaning, a house cricket is a harmless snack. If you recently had pest control spray indoors or around the foundation, keep your cat away from bugs that wander in for a few days, and check the product label for pet guidance.
What about camel crickets, cave crickets and spider crickets?
These are the pale, humpbacked, long-legged crickets found in basements and garages. Like other crickets, they are not venomous. The same rules apply: one or two is fine, and the main concern is whether they have been in contact with pest control products.
Do crickets have any nutritional value for cats?
Crickets are mostly protein and fat wrapped in a chitin shell, so they are closer to a cat’s natural prey than most human snacks. But one cricket is a few calories at most and adds nothing that a complete and balanced cat food does not already provide. The real benefit is mental: stalking and pouncing on a moving cricket is good exercise for an indoor cat. A wand toy gives the same workout without the parasite question.
Can kittens eat crickets?
A kitten that catches a cricket will usually be fine. Do not offer crickets on purpose to very young kittens, which have more sensitive stomachs and need a kitten-formulated diet for growth. Keep parasite prevention and fecal checks on your vet’s schedule if your kitten hunts insects often.
Insects that are riskier than crickets
- Fireflies. They contain defensive chemicals; see can cats eat fireflies.
- Bees and wasps. A sting in the mouth or throat can cause swelling.
- Some beetles and caterpillars. Many carry irritating or toxic defenses.
- Scorpions and some spiders. Venomous species can cause painful stings or bites; see scorpion sting symptoms in cats.
More guides: bugs that are dangerous to cats, can cats eat waxworms and can cats eat mayflies.
When to call your vet
- Vomiting more than once, or diarrhea that lasts more than a day.
- Drooling, pawing at the mouth or facial swelling (more likely a sting or a different insect).
- Tremors, wobbliness or unusual lethargy, especially if pest control products may be involved.
- Repeated vomiting, poor appetite or dark stools in a cat that hunts insects often, which may point to stomach worms.
For suspected pesticide exposure, you can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply). For general guidance on vomiting, see cat vomiting: causes and when to worry.
FAQ
Are crickets bad for cats?
No. Crickets are not toxic. The small risks come from parasites in wild crickets, pesticide residue, or eating a lot at once.
Can cats eat crickets from PetSmart or other pet stores?
Yes. Plain feeder crickets from a pet store are the lower-risk choice because they are farm-raised. Offer one or two at a time as an occasional treat.
My cat ate a cricket. Is that okay?
Almost always. Watch for vomiting in the next few hours, which is uncommon. If your cat is eating and acting normally, nothing else is needed.
Can cats eat grasshoppers and crickets?
Both are non-toxic and treated the same way: occasional is fine, avoid insects from treated areas, and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues.