Do Cats Eat Earthworms – Health Risks & Other Factors

If your cat is outside, it might feel like anything they could find is fair game to be a quick snack: grass, mice, insects, frogs, and even earthworms. Certainly, worms aren’t on your menu for an afternoon snack, huh? Cats, however, may be attracted to earthworms and will make it a game to catch the worm. But, do cats eat earthworms?

Cats eat earthworms.  Eating earthworms can be dangerous to cats as they may contract parasites such as Capillaria. Earthworm movements attract cats and are mostly playful objects to them instead of food. 

Although you probably don’t want to add earthworms to your cat’s diet, earthworms aren’t the most dangerous thing your cat may consume. Like anything foreign, though, your cat eating earthworms does pose some risks that you might want to avoid for your cat’s health.  

Can Cats Eat Worms

Technically speaking, cats can – and do – eat worms they find outside, though they probably shouldn’t.

Believe it or not, your cat isn’t the only feline to snap up a worm like some bird. Tons of cats do it, and it shouldn’t have you rushing to get your vet on the phone. 

Don’t get me wrong: Watching your cat swallow a worm is not a pleasant experience. But your cat doesn’t seem to know that. 

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather my cat eat a worm than a bird or a bunny. It means there’s less clean-up for me (and less mental scarring). Sure, I’d rather my cat stick to the canned cat food, but if I had to choose the lesser evil, it would probably be a worm outside. 

Worms are physically attractive objects to cats, especially the larger ones. They have wide body movements which a cat will quickly train it’s eyes too. For the most part, a cat will claw at the worm and bite it. If your cat has already eaten for the day, chances are they will leave it alone and not digest it. 

What Happens When Cats Eat Worms

Eating a worm won’t have any immediate, adverse effects on your cat like you might initially think.

Sometimes your cat will eat something it isn’t used to and instantly get sick. If your cat has a good gag reflex, you probably won’t even know your cat snatched a worm while you weren’t looking. There’s no toxin or poison, so there’s no chance that your cat will be poisoned, thankfully. 

If your cat is already outside and is vomiting, it could be due to munching on grass. Unless you’re supervising your cat carefully and know everything it is doing, you may not be able to pinpoint exactly what made your cat throw up. But, jeez, at least he threw up outside. Hopefully.

Are Worms Poisonous To Cats

Technically speaking, worms aren’t poisonous to cats, but eating worms can cause cats to get parasites.

There is nothing about worms or earthworms that are toxic to cats. Eating a worm would not have the same effect on your cat as, say, your cat eating a flower that is known to be poisonous. Worms don’t release toxins, for instance, that can cause your cat to throw up or, worse, die.

Like anything else, there are some risks posed with eating worms, even if it doesn’t end in a severe reaction. Eating earthworms could lead to your cat getting an internal parasite called Capillaria. Try to say that one three times fast. 

Can Cats Get Capillaria

Yes, cats can get Capillaria. Capillaria is more common in dogs than cats, but there is a chance that your cat can get the parasite. 

Capillaria, which is a small parasite, generally affects the bladder or respiratory tract. Your cat will usually get Capillaria from the environment.

For instance, the Capillaria parasite may lay eggs in the dirt in your backyard. Your cat can go outside to do what it does outside (whatever that may be), and the microscopic parasite eggs can get stuck to its feet. When your cat comes in, he settles in to clean himself for the next two hours and begins licking his feet. That means he’s ingesting the parasite eggs without anyone realizing it. 

Always keep an eye on your cat when they are outdoors. As a general rule, always bathe your cat when they’ve had outside play and you suspect they might have gotten into something they shouldn’t have. 

Capillaria in Cats

Your cat could have Capillaria, and you may not even realize it because Capillaria usually doesn’t make cats violently ill.

If your cat has Capillaria, you may notice blood in your cat’s urine if the parasite is in the bladder or wheezing and coughing if it is a respiratory form of the parasite. In either instance, your cat will probably not be violently ill. 

If your vet does diagnose your cat with Capillaria, you shouldn’t worry too much either. All you need to do is give your cat a dewormer, which is easy enough. More dewormers work after a single dose, so you won’t have to worry about wrangling your cat to squirt medicine in its mouth.

Can Capillaria Be Prevented

The best way to prevent Capillaria in your cat is to make sure your cat does not eat earthworms.

If your cat happens to step on eggs from a parasite and ingest them, you can’t do much. However, you can prevent further parasites by ensuring your cat doesn’t eat anything it shouldn’t outside.

If your cat steps on eggs, it may ingest fewer eggs than if it eats an earthworm (or more than one). 

I know that it’s probably a pain to watch your cat while it’s outside, but it’s a good thing to do because it could prevent your furry friend from potentially getting ill. Even if the risk is low, I wouldn’t want my cat to become sick, so it’s better to stop it before it starts. 

What If My Cat Eats Other Bugs

Your cat might go after other insects – like gnats or flies – but those insects also pose a small risk, but that risk can include parasites.

My cat hates bugs flying around her when she’s outside. If gnats fly around her, she tries to eat every single one out of the sky. My other cats also chase flies around the house as their lives depend on it. I do have to say that it’s pretty nice to have a live-action fly swatter around, but it isn’t great that cats eat insects.

Other insects might not give your cat Capillaria, but there are other parasites that your cat can get from bugs. Like Capillaria, these parasites are harmless too, but it’s still better to stop your cat from eating insects to avoid any discomfort.

How To Stop Cats From Eating Insects

There are, of course, some things you can do to prevent your cat from eating insects and earthworms. 

• Spray for insects. If you hire a good exterminator, they can spray your yard to get rid of insects, including ticks and fleas.
• Redirect your cat’s attention. Grab your cat’s favorite toy if you notice your cat is going after insects or worms. 
• Keep your cat inside. It’ll be difficult for your cat to find insects, especially worms if you keep your cat indoors (whether he likes it or not).
• Change your landscaping. This is probably the best option for someone with a smaller yard. You can swap out the grass for rocks, which will hopefully attract fewer critters. 
• Discipline your cat. I know it’s hard to stop a cat from doing what it wants, but sternly saying its name may stop your cat from munching on bugs.

Even though eating earthworms probably won’t have any adverse effects, it’s probably a good idea if your cat doesn’t eat earthworms or any insects for that matter. A balanced diet for your cat will ensure your cat stays healthy, has a nice coat, and lives a happy life. After all, who wouldn’t want that for their best (furry) friend?