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Do Chihuahuas Eat Insects?

Do Chihuahuas Eat Insects?

If you notice your Chihuahua heading for an insect, as a puppy parent you might be concerned if it’s okay for your dog to eat bugs and insects. All at once, several questions may run through your mind. Will it make them sick? Is it poisonous? And how do I get them to stop eating bugs? 

 

Many Chihuahuas are tempted to eat bugs and it’s fairly common. However, some bugs are poisonous, and you do not want to let your dog eat too many. Here’s what you need to know about when your Chihuahua starts to get curious and eat insects. 

 

Should I Be Concerned If My Chihuahua Eats Bugs?

 

You do not need to worry if your dog eats bugs. It’s normal behavior for many dogs who are naturally curious. You do not need to take your dog to the vet or get them checked out if they eat a bug. Insects may actually provide a bit of protein for your dog.

 Do Chihuahuas Eat Insects Chihuahua Empire Blog

However, if they eat too many it could cause an upset stomach. A few bugs won’t hurt your dog; if it becomes a habit that’s when you should try to get them to stop. Additionally, some insects are poisonous to dogs. See the section below on which bugs dogs cannot eat.

 

Why Do Chihuahuas Eat Insects?

 

Your Chihuahua may eat bugs or insects out of curiosity and it’s a pretty normal thing for many types of dogs. Dogs are naturally curious, and bugs make for an interesting prey that they can play with until they eat them. It’s all about the chase and the catch – eating insects is fun for dogs.

 

You may have seen your dog chew on other things as well, like shoes, paper, socks, and other household objects. It’s normal for them to explore and try new foods out of curiosity, just as it is normal for babies to put seemingly everything into their mouths. They just don’t know any better.

 

Will My Chihuahua Get Sick If He Eats Bugs?

 

Your Chihuahua will not get sick if he eats one or two bugs. However, if your Chihuahua eats a multitude of bugs then it could upset their stomach and cause them to vomit.

 Chihuahua Eat Insects Bugs Chihuahua Empire Blog

The following bugs are generally harmless to dogs if your dog only eats one or two:

  • Ants
  • Flies
  • Moths
  • Worms
  • Beetles
  • Stink bugs
  • Ladybug (but make sure it’s not an Asian Lady Beetle!)

 

Additionally, some bugs are poisonous to dogs. Check out the list below for bugs to avoid letting your dog eat.

 

What Bugs Are Poisonous to Dogs

 

Most bugs should not cause any problems for your dog; however, certain insects are poisonous to Chihuahuas. In general, do not let your dog eat any bug that eats feces like cockroaches or any insects that may carry a pesticide or anti-pest treatment chemical.

 

Bugs that are bad for dogs could lead to an upset stomach, vomit, excessive drooling, suppressed appetite, constant scratching, diarrhea or stomach worms, or parasites.

 

Specifically, avoid letting your dog eat the following bugs that can make them sick:

  • Asian Lady Beetles
  • Crickets
  • Cockroaches
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders (not all spiders are bad for dogs, but venomous spiders will make your dog sick)
  • Fireflies
  • Cicadas
  • Grasshoppers
  • Slugs & snails
  • Butterflies
  • Bees & wasps
  • Fleas
  • June bugs

 

If you are worried that your dog ate one of these, or your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea, you should take them to the vet right away and explain what you think is going on. The vet will know how to treat your furry friend.

 

How to Get a Chihuahua to Stop Eating Bugs

 

The best ways to prevent a Chihuahua from eating bugs are to use physical restraint or voice commands, or a combination of both. Only muzzle your dog as a last resort. Typically, your dog will learn pretty quickly what bugs make them feel upset. Eating an insect once isn’t necessarily bad for them, and if it makes your Chihuahua’s stomach upset, it may teach them a lesson so that they don’t want to repeat their mistake.  

 Poisonous Bugs For Chihuahuas Chihuahua Empire Blog

Physical Restraint. You can try keeping your dog on a short leash or keeping them within a range you can grab on a walk. If they chase after a bug, you will be able to quickly pull them away and restrain them. That will make your dog equate chasing after a bug with restraint and discomfort so that they are less likely to continue the behavior. Just make sure you are able to restrain your Chihuahua without causing any pain or extreme discomfort – you don’t want to make the punishment worse than the crime.

 

Voice Commands. Use commands when a dog chases after a bug like “leave it” and “don’t eat”. Short, sharp commands work best, and your tone is equally, if not more, important than the actual words you say. You want to keep a commanding tone that will verbally jar your dog away from the insects it’s curious about. Also, using your Chihuahua’s name can help get their attention and break their focus from the bug.

 

Protect Your Chihuahua from Harmful Bugs

 

In summary, most insects are not harmful to your Chihuahua, especially if they only eat one or two. There are a handful of bugs you want to avoid, and overall, it may be easier to prevent your dog from eating any bugs rather than identifying which bugs are harmful and which are okay in moderation. Plus, it’s almost impossible to monitor your Chihuahua all the time for any possible bad bugs.

 

After all, any insect, if your dog eats enough of it, could make your dog sick. Your little pooch could get an upset stomach or even vomit and or have diarrhea. But most bugs are not life-threatening. However, if your dog does act sick after eating a bug, contact a vet right away.

 

It is ultimately up to you how you will protect your Chihuahua from harmful bugs. What do you do? Leave your thoughts in the comments.


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