My Dog Ate a Grasshopper Will He Get Sick?

Warning—if bugs make you feel squeamish, this article is about dogs eating grasshoppers! We understand—writing this article made us feel a bit crawly! We just want to make sure you’re OK with that before proceeding with the rest of the article!

OK, with that warning out of the way, we can get on with the topic of dogs and grasshoppers!

Dogs Love to Hunt Grasshoppers

Many dogs enjoy hunting bugs. It’s not clear if this is just a fun activity for them, or if they really are hunting down bugs for a quick protein snack. It’s possible dogs hunt bugs for both reasons! Whatever their reasons for hunting bugs, many dogs enjoy it. Some dogs even prefer grasshoppers, which could be due to the fact that grasshoppers jump.  Perhaps the jumping attracts the dog even more!

In some cases, after the dog catches a grasshopper, his pet parents may be horrified when he actually eats the insect, legs and all! Again, we understand that’s not a pleasant sight (or thought), but can grasshoppers make a dog sick if he eats them?

Grasshoppers May be a Problem for Dogs

If your fur baby happens to eat a grasshopper or two once in a while, he’ll probably be OK. He may not show any concerning symptoms; however, some dogs may vomit, become nauseated, or develop diarrhea after eating a couple of grasshoppers. This should pass in about 24 to 48 hours.

When a dog eats more than a couple of grasshoppers more often, the bugs can cause some problems for your canine companion. Some common problems include:

• Poison: if the grasshoppers were sprayed with pesticides, fertilizers, or even anti-fungal agents, these could make your dog pretty sick. But he would have to eat more than just a couple of grasshoppers. Signs that your dog may be poisoned include excessive drooling or panting, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. In some cases, if the dog has ingested enough poison, he could suffer from coma and even death.
• Parasites: grasshoppers can be a host to certain parasites. We know this is highly unappetizing, but we must share the details with you. The most common parasite is roundworms, which can cause numerous health issues in dogs.
• Bezoar: this is a hard mass, which can develop in a dog’s stomach if he’s eaten bunch of bugs, such as grasshoppers. This causes a blockage in the stomach, which may need surgery to remove.

For the most part, if your canine companion likes to snack on a grasshopper or two every now and then, he should be OK. Just make sure he doesn’t eat more, and then you can keep him healthy and happy. He’ll be ready for his next bug hunt!