Can cats eat bugs?
A caught fly is harmless, but bees and wasps often sting back (PDSA). If the tongue or throat swells after a sting, or breathing gets hard, call your vet right away (PDSA, Battersea).
How to serve it: flies are fine; keep bees, wasps, hornets and hairy caterpillars away
Good to know: Eating caterpillars can cause vomiting and mouth irritation, and Asian lady beetles can irritate too (ASPCA). Even dead bees and wasps can still sting when eaten (Pet Poison Helpline).
Sources
- PDSA – Summer hazards for pets
- PDSA – Insect bites and stings in cats
- Battersea – What to do if your cat is stung by a bee or wasp
- ASPCA – Bad Bugs, Bad Bugs: What You Should Do to Keep Your Pets Safe
- VCA Animal Hospitals – First Aid for Insect Stings in Cats
- Pet Poison Helpline – Wasp Sting and Bee Sting Toxicity in Pets
Last checked: October 2026