What Happens If My Dog Eats A Cockroach

My dog has just eaten a cockroach. I would like to know what happens if my dog eats a cockroach. Is your concern similar to that of one of my friends who emailed me the other day? Who was concerned and worried about her dog eating a roach? 

Then keep reading; I will let you know what could happen if your dog eats a cockroach, whether it is poisonous to them or not, and what you can do in this situation.

Although dogs are domesticated animals and you do not expect them to want to eat cockroaches, they still do. They see roaches as an easy snack.

 

 

Why do dogs eat Roaches? 

Roaches are like snacks to dogs, so they pursue and catch them whenever they see them to eat. It is not only roaches that dogs like to eat; they will go after other bugs and any small animals moving on the floor like ants. This is an instinctive behavior for them; they just can’t help themselves.

 

Are Cockroaches Harmful to Dogs?

No, they are not harmful to your dog. But it is not good for your dog to eat a roach. This is because roaches carry a lot of bacteria that will make your dog sick if they eat them. One of the bacteria cockroaches are known to carry is the bacteria that causes stomach worms and roundworms.

Sometimes the cockroach your dog ate was covered with poison that was meant to kill it. If your dog eats roaches like that, that is where it becomes harmful, because some roach poison baits contain poison that can harm a dog.

Also, If it was just one roach your dog ate, there really is no problem, unless you notice it showing signs of discomfort. But If your dog ate more, up to 4 or 5 roaches with poison bait, you have to be concerned and monitor it more closely for any signs of distress.

 

What Happens If My Dog Eats a Cockroach

It depends on the type of roach your dog ate. If it was a fresh roach your dog was chasing around, do not worry; it is not going to harm it. Just take note of two things: its size and what type it was, in case you will have to go to a vet. How do you know what type it was?

Here is a trick: if your dog caught the roach inside the house, it is most likely going to be the type of roaches that live inside the house, like the German or brown-banded cockroach. If it was outside, it would be the wood cockroach or the American cockroach.

A dead roach is a cause for concern because you do not know if the roach died from poison. Monitor your dog very carefully for symptoms like a change in diet, white foams around the mouth area, vomiting, and less activity. If any of these happens, you need to get help from a vet immediately.

 

What to Do if Your Dog Ate a Cockroach

• Try to stay calm. With a clear mind, you will be able to take care of your dog.
• Get it a snack to numb the effect of an allergic reaction.
• Take your dog to a vet to deworm it and give it proper treatment
• Although eating roaches is instinctive to your dog and they may not be able to control themselves when they see a roach, teach your dog not to eat roaches.
• Try to get rid of the roaches inside your house in your yard, so that your dog does not find any roaches to eat. 

 

Read also: What Should I Do After Visiting A House With Cockroaches?

 

Final Thoughts

To conclude, eating a roach will not harm your dog, but do not allow it to become a habit for your dog to eat roaches. Help them overcome this instinctive behavior by getting rid of roaches in your house and yard.

Do not worry about your adorable friend; no harm will come to your friend. But take it to a vet just to be sure. I always want to hear from you. Send that email or write a comment below.

 

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