Your dog just crunched down on something in the garden — and it had wings. Sound familiar? If you’re in the middle of cicada season, this is probably happening more than you’d like to admit.
Cicadas are everywhere during their emergence years — loud, slow-moving, and apparently irresistible to dogs. Whether your pup is a first-time offender or a seasoned cicada connoisseur, the question is the same: is it actually safe?
Short answer: eating one or two cicadas won’t kill your dog. But there’s more to it than that — and some situations where you do need to act fast. Let’s break it all down in plain English.
What Exactly Are Cicadas?
Cicadas are large, flying insects known for the deafening chorus they produce during summer months. They’re found across the UK, Australia, Canada, and much of the world. Some species emerge every few years in massive numbers — what scientists call a “brood emergence” — making them nearly impossible to avoid during peak season.
They don’t sting or bite people or pets. They’re essentially harmless as individual insects. But that doesn’t mean your dog should be eating them by the fistful either.
Fun fact: Cicadas spend most of their lives underground (some species up to 17 years!) and only emerge as adults to mate. Their shells and bodies are high in protein — one reason dogs (and even some humans) find them appealing.
So… Can Dogs Eat Cicadas?
Technically yes — in small amounts, cicadas are not toxic to dogs. They aren’t venomous, they don’t produce poison, and they’re not classified as dangerous insects. A dog that snaps up one or two cicadas during a walk is very unlikely to be in any danger.
That said, not toxic doesn’t automatically mean safe to eat freely. There are real risks that come with eating too many, and some dogs are more vulnerable than others.
The Real Risks: What Can Go Wrong
1. Stomach Upset From Overeating
This is by far the most common problem. Cicadas have hard exoskeletons — the crunchy outer shell. Dogs struggle to digest chitin (the material that makes up insect shells), and eating a large number can cause:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating and gas
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Most cases resolve on their own within 24–48 hours, but dogs with sensitive stomachs can have a harder time. Puppies and senior dogs are especially prone to digestive upset.
Real-life example: During the 2021 Brood X emergence in the US, many vets reported a spike in dogs coming in with GI issues — not from toxicity, but simply from eating too many cicadas too fast. The same can happen in any high-density emergence.
2. Allergic Reactions
Some dogs have allergies to shellfish or crustaceans, and since cicadas share similar proteins (chitin), cross-reactivity is possible. This is rare but worth watching for — especially if you know your dog has food sensitivities.
Signs of an allergic reaction to look out for:
- Facial swelling or hives
- Excessive itching or scratching
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting shortly after eating
Act immediately if your dog shows difficulty breathing, collapse, or severe facial swelling. These are signs of anaphylaxis — a rare but life-threatening allergic emergency. Call your vet or nearest emergency animal hospital straight away.
3. Pesticide Contamination
This is the risk most dog owners don’t think about. Cicadas that have landed on or fed from treated plants or lawns may carry traces of pesticides on their bodies. If your garden or neighbourhood uses chemical sprays, cicadas in those areas are potentially contaminated.
This applies even more in suburban areas where council pest control is common. Where the cicada came from matters.
4. Choking and Blockages
Small or toy breeds can struggle to swallow large cicadas properly. While rare, there’s a theoretical risk of choking, especially in eager dogs who don’t bother chewing. A large mass of cicada shells ingested very quickly could also contribute to a blockage in the digestive tract.
5. Parasites
Cicadas that have been lying dead on the ground for a while can attract other parasites and bacteria. A fresh, live cicada is far less of a concern than a decomposing one your dog found on the patio.
Are There Any Benefits?
Surprisingly, yes — in a very limited sense. Cicadas are actually quite nutritious insects. They’re high in protein, low in fat, and contain minerals including zinc and iron. Some pet nutrition researchers have even looked at insects as a sustainable future protein source for pet food.
But — and this is important — the benefits don’t outweigh the risks of uncontrolled consumption. You wouldn’t let your dog eat an entire bag of nuts just because nuts have protein. The same logic applies here. A cicada or two? Probably fine. A cicada buffet? That’s a vet visit waiting to happen.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Cicadas
If they ate just one or two
Relax. Monitor your dog for the next few hours for any unusual symptoms. Keep them hydrated and watch their next bathroom trip. In most cases, nothing happens at all.
If they ate a large amount
- Stay calm — panicking won’t help your dog.
- Check the area — were the cicadas near sprayed plants or treated grass?
- Note the time and roughly how many were eaten.
- Watch for symptoms — vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, swelling, breathing changes.
- Call your vet if symptoms appear or if pesticide exposure is possible.
Home care tip: If your dog has mild stomach upset, a small meal of boiled white rice and plain chicken (no seasoning) can help settle their digestive system. Ensure fresh water is always available. Avoid fatty treats for 24 hours.
When to see the vet — non-negotiable signs
| Symptom | How urgent? |
|---|---|
| Mild vomiting (once or twice) | Monitor at home first |
| Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea (>12 hrs) | Call your vet today |
| Lethargy, no interest in food or water | Call your vet today |
| Facial swelling or hives | Emergency — go now |
| Difficulty breathing or collapse | Emergency — go now |
| Known pesticide exposure | Call vet immediately |
How to Stop Your Dog Eating Cicadas
Let’s be honest — preventing a dog from eating bugs entirely is almost impossible. But you can reduce how many they hoover up.
Practical tips for cicada season
- Keep them on-lead in heavy emergence areas — easier to redirect their attention.
- Train a solid “leave it” command — one of the most useful skills for any dog, and it pays off hugely during bug season. Reward generously when they obey.
- Distract and redirect — if your dog fixates on cicadas, use a favourite toy or high-value treat to redirect attention.
- Check your garden after spraying — remove dead cicadas from areas your dog has access to.
- Feed before outdoor time — a full dog is less likely to go foraging for snacks.
- Muzzle for persistent offenders — if your dog genuinely cannot be stopped, a basket muzzle during peak season is a reasonable short-term solution. It doesn’t cause distress if introduced correctly.
Training tip: Teach “leave it” with low-value items first (tissues, socks), then gradually work up to higher-value “forbidden” items like insects or food scraps on the ground. Progress at your dog’s pace — a week of daily 5-minute sessions can make a real difference.
The Noise Factor: Does Cicada Sound Stress Dogs Out?
This one’s often overlooked. During peak emergence, cicadas can produce noise levels above 90 decibels — louder than a lawnmower. Some dogs find this distressing, especially those who are already sensitive to sound.
If your dog seems anxious, restless, or clingy during cicada season, the noise may be the cause rather than anything they’ve eaten. Give them access to a quieter indoor space, use white noise or calming music indoors, and consider speaking to your vet about anxiety management if the distress is significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Are cicadas poisonous to dogs?
No, cicadas are not toxic or venomous. They don’t sting or bite, and they produce no poison. The danger comes from eating too many (digestive upset), pesticide contamination, or allergic reactions in sensitive dogs — not from any toxin the cicada itself carries.
2.How many cicadas can a dog safely eat?
There’s no official “safe number,” but most vets agree that one or two is unlikely to cause any problems for a healthy adult dog. The issue arises when dogs eat large quantities — dozens at a time — which can overwhelm their digestive system. Smaller breeds and puppies have lower tolerance.
3.My dog ate cicadas and is now vomiting. Should I be worried?
A single episode of vomiting is common and often resolves on its own. Offer water, withhold food for a couple of hours, then offer a small bland meal. If vomiting continues for more than 12 hours, is accompanied by blood, or your dog seems very unwell, contact your vet. If pesticide exposure is possible, call the vet immediately regardless of symptoms.
4.Can cicadas cause worms or parasites in dogs?
Cicadas themselves are not a known vector for common dog parasites. However, decomposing cicadas on the ground can attract flies and bacteria, so it’s better to discourage eating dead insects generally. Keep your dog’s regular parasite prevention up to date as a precaution.
5.What’s the difference between a cicada and a locust — are they equally safe?
Cicadas and locusts are different insects, though both are technically non-toxic. However, locusts are known to swarm in some regions (particularly relevant for Australian dog owners) and may pose more of a choking or mass-ingestion risk during swarms. The same principles apply: a few is unlikely to cause harm, but large amounts warrant monitoring.
6.Do cicadas bite or sting dogs?
No. Cicadas have a proboscis (a tube-like mouthpart) used only for feeding on tree sap. They cannot bite or sting animals or people. They’re entirely docile insects — their only “defence” is flying away.
7.Are cicada shells (the shed husks) harmful to dogs?
The empty shells (called exuviae) that cicadas leave behind when they moult are made of chitin — the same material as the live insect’s outer body. They’re equally indigestible, so eating a lot of empty shells can cause the same stomach upset as eating the whole insect. A curious sniff or taste is unlikely to cause harm.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat cicadas? In small numbers, yes — they’re not toxic and the odd one won’t do your dog any harm. But eating large quantities, consuming pesticide-contaminated bugs, or having an underlying shellfish allergy can turn a crunchy snack into a vet visit.
Your best move is to train a reliable “leave it,” keep an eye on how many they’re eating during cicada season, and know the warning signs that need vet attention. Most dogs who eat a cicada or two will be absolutely fine — just a little smug about it.
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