Monitor for symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any of these symptoms.
Potential concerns:
- Chitin: Stag beetles have a hard, chitinous exoskeleton that can be difficult to digest and may cause gastrointestinal upset.
- Spines: Some species of stag beetles have sharp spines that can cause oral or intestinal injuries.
- Bacteria: Stag beetles can carry bacteria that can be harmful to cats.
Recommended actions:
- Induce vomiting: If you witness your cat eating the beetle within the past 1-2 hours, you can try inducing vomiting with hydrogen peroxide (follow instructions on product label). Do not induce vomiting if the beetle was swallowed more than 2 hours ago or if your cat is showing signs of lethargy or weakness.
- Provide plenty of water: Keep your cat well-hydrated to help flush out any potential toxins.
- Monitor your cat’s behavior: Watch for any changes in appetite, activity level, or litter box habits.
- Contact your veterinarian: Schedule an appointment for a full checkup and blood test to rule out any potential health issues.
- Provide a safe environment: Remove any remaining stag beetles or their larvae from your home to prevent further ingestion.
The article was created by AI.
We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.
My cat ate an “stag beetle”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.
229