If your dog eats almost any type of household fly, like fruit flies, drain flies or gnats, it’s very unlikely that she will get sick. Matted hair which is contaminated with feces and urine can also attract flies which lay eggs. Certain fly species are known to transmit potentially dangerous worms. Most of us humans aren't really into eating insects so it's not surprising that we might be a little grossed out by seeing our cat eat a grasshopper or a moth. That means your cat can get sick if it eats fly eggs from any of these places. So, your cat will unlikely get maggots from eating flies. However, remember that flies tend to lay their eggs on decomposing wounds or matted hair that’s contaminated with fecal matter. 3. Dogs are also able to produce taurine and arachidonic acid, but cats must have these acids in their food. We all know cats can be finicky eaters. Should I Be Concerned? It’s not unusual to find a cat begging so passionately for human food. Instead, they mean that the cat’s digestive system has been suddenly introduced to an unfamiliar food. Some insects or other animals such as snails can be vectors for parasites. It is up to us to monitor their health to avoid having a sad, sick cat that can’t tell us how they feel. Yes, they can. These insects are not poisonous and the cat will has no problem digesting it. I think between yesterday and today he has eaten around 40 flies. While a fly perches on and jumps off surfaces randomly to avoid being caught, the cat actually believes that the fly is enjoying the game. All we can do as pet-owners is make changes to discourage houseflies from entering our homes. Now, the main reason why cats eat flies is that cats are natural hunters and are instinctively designed to chase anything that moves. Technically, cats can eat flies. Essentially, maggots occur when a fly lays its eggs on your cat’s open wound or irritated skin. Eating flies that contain active pathogens, How to Prevent Your Cat from Eating Flies. Mystery solved? Our favorite: Tomlyn Immune Support – Best Supplement for Cats and Kittens. This is unarguably the greatest risk associated with cats eating flies. The most common sign of illness in some cats is hiding in a quiet, out-of-the-way place. Symptoms of pesticide poisoning range from vomiting and diarrhea to lethargy, hypersalivation, loss of appetite, etc. While flies are not immediately dangerous to cats, there are safety concerns to be aware of. Always seek veterinary attention if your cat develops symptoms of sickness which can include loss of appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhea. She enjoys photography, gardening and running in her spare time. Cats can get infected by tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. Whenever I swat them he gobbles them up immediately. A regular fly, worm, moth, butterfly, ladybug or spider, is no problem for cats. Cats are intelligent animals and generally speaking will not eat insects that make them sick. Q. But still, it is not ideal. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Encourage eating and hydration if your cat doesn’t eat for 24 hours and/or doesn’t drink for 12 hours. Our favorite: The Cat Language Bible (How to Finally Undrestand And Speak to Your Cat) – A new form of cat to human communication that many cat owners have dreamed about… but few have actually thought possible. WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser for Cats and... Why Do Cats Eat Ants? While this behavior is associated with birds and rodents, some cats will also chase after insects. Flies can pick up pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites while crawling and feeding. He hasn't been anywhere to expose him to disease and his diet hasn't changed. Nah, flies won't hurt the cat. Our favorite: Dyson Ball Animal 2 – Engineered for homes with pets. 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