Cats are natural born hunters. Cats also have a very curious nature. Once a scurrying movement is noticed, a cat will be off in a flash. Anything that is caught will be eaten instantly. Cats are identified as mice eaters. The ability to hunt rodents is the very reason why cats have evolved into well loved domestic animals. Cats would also stalk birds. The chirping of little birdies in the nest would make a cat climb the tree with alacrity. The birds, similar to the mice will be eaten. Not many cat owners though are aware that these pets have the inclination to eat creepy crawlies. The sight of a cat eating these crunchy and squishy crawlies would be repulsive to the cat owners. Have you seen your pet eat spiders or scorpions? These are only two of the bugs that cats eat. Cats may have the reputation for being finicky eaters but these furry friends have an unaccountable liking for bugs. Yes, bugs are one of the favorite things cats love to eat.
Scorpions, spiders, centipedes, cicadas, locusts, cockroaches, beetles, moths…these are only some of the bugs that cats hunt and eat. At night, cats have the inclination to sit under the porch light and patiently wait for the bugs that will be attracted by the light. With one swipe of the paw, this cunning hunter will skillfully grab a flying bug. Cats would instinctively overturn rocks or paw at decaying logs to find bugs. Indoor pets will not be outdone. These cats will find cockroaches inside cupboards and other insects lurking behind furniture and floor borders.
Do cats gain benefits from eating bugs? Cats are obligate carnivores. A cat’s ideal diet should mainly consist of animal based protein. If cats are allowed to plan their own menu, these animals would certainly choose meat, fish and insects. Insects form a part of the cat’s diet. These bugs are good sources of protein and fat. Humans derive energy from carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is not a basic nutritional requirement of cats as these animals are strict carnivores. Where then would cats derive energy? Cats’ diet has to have large amounts of animal-based proteins as these proteins are converted into energy. Fatty foods are highly palatable not only in humans but in cats as well. Additionally, fat in the diet helps the cat absorb vitamins. However, the inclination to hunt and to eat bugs can be dangerous if the cat managed to capture (and eat) a poisonous insect like some species of spiders. Wasps, bees and hornet sting can be very dangerous to cats as well as the sting commonly cause an allergic reaction.
Cats are natural hunters. The hunting ability was not dulled by domestication. A cat will still feel the urge to hunt mice, birds, lizards and any small fast moving animals. These preys may not be available to indoor cats but bugs are. Cat owners may reason out that their pets do not need to hunt as they are provided with all the food they can consume. However, it must be realized that hunting is instinctive in cats. These pets derive more pleasure from catching the prey than from eating what they have captured. Hunting and eating bugs is done by cats more for entertainment than for sustenance.