My Dog Ate a Katydid Will He Get Sick?

Does your dog like to snarf up bugs? Many dogs do enjoy such snacks, though most of us don’t understand the draw to eat insects!

But what about katydids. Are they safe for dogs to eat? Has your dog eaten a katydid? Or has eaten up a bunch of them?

What are Katydids?

Katydids are large singing insects that are something confused with cicadas. They look something like a very large grasshopper. Katydids are native to the US, Canada, South Africa, and Australia. And there are more that 6,400 species of katydids!

These insects are usually busy at night and this is when you may hear the males singing their mating calls. Katydids are also somewhat of a shapeshifter in that they can blend in to camouflage themselves. They can match shapes and colors of leaves, too!

Katydids eat leaves, flowers, bark and seeds. But some species are predators, and prefer to eat other insects, snails, and even small snakes and lizards.

Are Katydids Toxic to Dogs?

The answer is no. However, while they’re not poisonous, if a dog eats more than 2-3 of these bugs, he could become very sick. For some dogs, eating 2-3 katydids may cause an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

On the other hand, a dog that eats several and more can become seriously sick. He will vomit, have diarrhea, and nausea. The main issue is that katydids have very hard shells, which can be difficult to digest. If a dog eats a bunch of these bugs, then the shells can become lodged in the intestines. This can cause a bowel obstruction.

Symptoms of a Bowel Obstruction in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms if your fur baby has developed a bowel obstruction:

• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain

Some dogs may also whine and hunch their backs due to the pain they experience with this condition. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, please call your vet immediately. Your dog’s life may be threatened by this medical emergency.

The vet will ask you to bring your fur baby into the clinic, where he will examine your dog. In addition, the vet may also run lab work and take x-rays. The x-ray images can help the vet determine where the katydid’s hard shells are caught in the intestines.

The prognosis is very good for dogs who receive prompt treatment for this painful condition. And it’s a good idea to try to keep your canine companion from eating katydids. One or two are OK, but more could cause a problem!