Are you wondering, “can cats eat spiders”? I live in a place that was built in the early 1900’s, so it’s no surprise that I run into 8-legged arachnids from time to time.
And anybody who knows me, even a little, knows how much spiders creep me out. And if you’re anything like me, you know what I’m talking about.
In fact, just writing about this subject royally creeps me out …big time. Before I adopted my cats, I had way too many spiders in my home. But now, after I’ve had cats for a few years, things are different.
I can honestly say that I don’t have nearly as many issues with spiders now as I did back then. And if you’re going through the same type of thing, it makes you wonder if cats actually eat spiders or just play around with them.
Well I did the research for you. Now you don’t have to accidentally come across any creepy spider pictures that are floating around out there on the internet. And there’s a lot. You can thank me later.
The simple answer is yes! Cats definitely eat spiders! And spiders aren’t the only thing our beloved feline companion will eat. Cats are known to eat all kinds of insects such as centipedes, ants, and cockroaches. Gross for us! Yummy for them!
Health Risks To Eating Spiders?
Believe it or not, it’s totally okay if your cat eats spiders. In fact, it’s a normal biological behavior for them. Most of the time, your cat will just hunt, chase, and kill the spider.
And then they will leave it lying around for you to find. But some do eat them and that’s perfectly fine.
It really doesn’t make any sense to my why people try to stop their cats from eating spiders in the first place. It’s a natural part of their existence. Cats out in the wild eat insects and spiders all the time.
What If My Cat Got Bit by a Spider?
There’s a huge difference between eating spiders and getting bitten by them. Most spider bites are not lethal to your cat, however, there will always be a few exceptions.
For example, Black Widows and Tarantulas can kill your cat. Generally, any type of spider that can seriously injure or kill a human being can also kill our feline companions. Use this as a general rule of thumb.
This goes for other types of lethal or poisonous insects that may be out there somewhere lurking in the dark.
If your cat is bitten by a venomous spider, you should get them to the vet as soon as humanly possible. If you have another person with you, have them put a cool damp cloth on the bite area. This will help minimize any swelling that may occur.
Final Thoughts
If your cat ends up eating one of those hairy long-legged arachnids, they will be just fine. Know that this is a completely normal behavior for your cats to participate in.
Do I think it’s gross? Yep! But my beloved cats must think spiders taste pretty damn good, because they eat them right up. No Thanks!
With that being said, just remember that being bitten by a spider is a totally different story. If your cat is bitten by a spider and you’re not sure if it was a poisonous one, bring them in to your veterinarian.
As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry any day.
