If you’re wondering, do cats eat spiders? The simple answer is, yes. Cats do, and can, eat spiders. It is generally nothing to worry about either.
Your cat is naturally playful and essentially, a born hunter. They probably can’t resist pawing at the spider crawling past it. It is in their DNA.
Cats are also carnivorous creatures. They eat other living things and this instinct is well-matched with their natural desire to prey on almost anything that moves – including their own tails at times.
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What About Eating Venomous Spiders?
If eaten up, the digestion process and internal tummy juices will break down the spider, including any venom it might contain.
This regular digestion process changes the composition of the spider, which also means the venom would be neutralized in the process.
Some suggestions may float around the internet, or even be perpetuated incorrectly among animal owners, that perhaps eating a venomous spider might be poisonous for the cat.
However, there doesn’t appear to be much hard evidence to back this up.
Given how inclined cats are to play with, and consequently eat, critters, including spiders, there surely would have been many cases of this issue if they were indeed deadly or harmful for cats.
However, it is very hard to find even one single example of a cat eating a spider and the venom being an issue.
So if your cat just ate a spider, there is no need for panic.
A worse scenario would probably be if you had just sprayed the spider with an insecticide-laden bug spray to kill it, and then your cat ate it.
This is because the toxic ingredients in the spray that kills the bug may also be toxic for your cat.
However, it likely would still only be a small dose.
Although it is unlikely that this would happen, a writhing spider covered in toxic spray could still look tasty to your playful cat.
If this happened, definitely monitor them for reactions such as diarrhea and vomiting.
As in many cases with your pet’s health, get to a vet as soon as you think something might be wrong.
A Spider Might Bite A Cat.
However, consider how your cat is different from you.
They have thick skin and dense fur which covers that skin.
Now, with that in mind, it is easy to consider how unlikely it would be for a spider bite to penetrate these layers and cause your cat harm.
It doesn’t make it impossible though.Â
They do have some less protected spots like their soft tummies and inside the ear.
You might even be able to see a bite in these areas, or redness, fluid, scabbing, or swelling.
However, it is likely there would be no obvious visual that your cat had been bitten.
The best advice is if your cat is acting unusual such as panting, strangely lost appetite, tremors, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, or diarrhea – it is time to go to the vet.
It could be a spider bite, and it could be something else. In any case, unusual symptoms need to get checked out.
A New, Random Addition To The Diet
It is also worth mentioning that when cats switch diets suddenly, it can throw out their digestion.
Spiders that cats eat are normally quite small and it’s infrequent so, unlikely to upset their tummies.
However, be mindful that it could.
Overall, there is no need to panic if one minute you see your cat swatting around a spider, and the next, she is chomping on something.
A cat eating a spider is normal and part of their natural hunting, carnivorous instincts.
Wrapping It Up – Can Cats Eat Spiders?
If you’re wondering do cats eat spiders then yes they actually
I’ve seen my cat, eat a spider and nothing has happened to him
There is no reason to panic if you’re seen your furbaby eat a spider
Cats are predators and they love to hunt – it’s in their instinct
A Spider, the way it moves, attracts a cat to catch it, probably play with it and then eat it
It’s normal
If you are worried then keep an eye out on your cat and if you notice anything strange or different in your cat then go straight to the vets
Overall, there is nothing to worry about
Here are some frequently asked questions
FAQ
Do Cats Keep Spiders Away?
They can’t keep spiders away but if your cat does see one then most likely they’ll go after it and eat it
Cats chase anything that moves
If you’re scared of spiders (Like me!) then make sure you have your little bodyguard nearby!
How To Stop Your Cat From Eating Spiders?
If you have a soft spot for spiders or you just don’t want your cat to eat them then it can be stopped
Not completely but you can take some steps in preventing this
If your cat is an indoor cat – they need mental stimulation
Here’s you can help
You need to make sure your cat has enough toys that can satisfy their predatory instincts
Get toys that make your cat run after it like a string with a toy mouse at the end of it
Something like this
Cat Toys Wand Retractable Interactive Feather Teaser Cat Toy with Bell, 5pcs Refills
It’s available on Amazon – Click here to check it outÂ
Or even maybe something like this
k-berho Cat Toys Interactive, Cat Toys for Indoor with Feather,Ball,Mouse
It’s a pretty interesting toy that I’m sure your cat will love
You can get one for your little furbaby over at Amazon by clicking hereÂ
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