Social media is rife with people fretting about their dogs eating cicadas as the little loud critters are emerging from the ground in swarms; however, experts say the creatures are nutritious, and dogs find them tasty.
According to UGA Veterinary Entomologist Nancy Hinkle, the bugs are an excellent source of protein.
“Dogs love them so much that they will over eat, causing them to vomit, but that doesn’t mean they are toxic. They are just too yummy for dogs to resist,” Hinke said.
While dogs gorge on cicadas, cats love to play with them before enjoying them as a snack.
However, there are some common foods that can be fatal to dogs and cats.
Animal Care and Pet Health Content Specialist Lauren Lee, writing for GoodRx, says that pet owners need to be aware that modern processed foods contain chemicals that are harmful to pets.
People will routinely hide their pets veterinary pills in peanut butter, and Lee advises that people should read the ingredient label to see if the product contains xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol that is used to flavor foods such as peanut butter.
Xylitol is harmless to humans, but even low doses can be fatal in dogs.
Once upon a time, a dog’s diet consisted mainly of table scraps, but Lee says that is no longer a good idea.
According to Lee, if you do let Fido have the occasional table scrap, make sure that whatever is served from the table has no avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, grapes, raisins, onions or garlic.
Onions and the assorted powders and salts can cause anemia. Garlic and garlic powders are extremely toxic and can cause blood vessels to burst.
Most people know not to give their dogs chocolate, and the primary reason is, according to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, because chocolate contains caffeine, which is toxic to dogs.
Dogs love to get into the trash, and Lee recommends that if your dog likes to scavenge to make sure used coffee grounds and potentially harmful table scraps are secured away.
Cats should also be kept away from the foods listed, but cats are known for being finicky eaters and aren’t prone to beg at the table or rummage in the garbage; however, one substance commonly given to kittens and adult cats is not recommended by experts.
According to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, cow’s milk is not healthy for cats as most breeds are actually lactose intolerant. Milk is not toxic to cats, but it can make them sick. If your cat wants a milk fix, most pet stores carry milk that is specially formulated with less lactose to keep your tabby happy.
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Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
