Are Cicadas Dangerous To Pets? Here’s What You Need To Know
Swarms of cicadas will soon be emerging in parts of the eastern U.S. in a natural spectacle that happens only once every several years. During ...
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Posted — UpdatedWhat Are Periodical Cicadas?
First, let’s go over what this cicada emergence will look like.
The states that will hear the distinctive sound of male cicadas trying to woo their female counterparts are Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, plus Washington D.C.
This cycle of cicada emergence has been given the name Brood X, and it will be one of the largest broods to appear.
Are Cicadas Dangerous to Pets?
When our pets encounter other animals and insects, one of the things we worry about is bites. With these cicadas, that’s fortunately not a concern.
“They can’t bite you, even if they want to,” Barnes told the Star.
What Happens If My Pet Eats a Cicada?
If you’re wondering if your dog or cat will get sick if they eat a cicada, that’s nothing to get too concerned about, either. In fact, they might be an extra protein source — Barnes said turkeys that feast on the bugs tend to be larger in the falls following a cicada emergence.
“If your animal feasts on piles of them while they are outside, they can end up with upset stomachs, vomiting or diarrhea,” he added.
He also urged pet owners to consider what pesticides might have been sprayed on the ground immediately above the cicadas during their 17-year development.
If your pet is showing symptoms of illness, such as throwing up, after getting up close and personal with cicadas, do get them checked out by your veterinarian. Remember, cicadas aren’t poisonous and don’t bite or sting, so it’s likely that your furry friend has simply eaten too many of the bugs.
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