Why Do Cats Eat Flies – Things To Consider

Cats might be a lot of fun to keep and take care of, but there are some things that most cat owners can’t ever fully understand. After all, most people think of flies as pests. But when your cat sees a fly, they probably think of it as a fun toy or a tasty snack. So why do cats eat flies?

Cats eat flies as a natural part of their prey drive and need to hunt. Flies are flying protein snacks for most cats and can be an entertaining way for them to spend a little time hunting. Even feral cats are known to go after flies occasionally, and indoor cats can make an entire sport out of hunting. 

Here’s what you need to know about cats eating flies, whether you should stop them, and when having flies around might start to be a problem. 

Is It Bad For Cats To Eat Flies

Most of the time, no, cats eating flies is harmless. There isn’t a severe caloric benefit to eating flies, so you don’t have to worry about your cats gaining weight when they go fly hunting. 

Flies may not have a lot in the way of nutrition, but they’re still a good source of entertainment. 

Flies aren’t known to carry many diseases that affect cats, though they can have some parasites that may be an issue for kittens. That means that once your cat is old enough to catch flies, they’re usually safe for them to catch and eat. 

Thankfully that means that cat owners don’t have to worry about stopping their cats from eating flies. It might not make a lot of sense to their owners, but it’s some harmless and satisfying fun for your cat. 

Can Cats Get Worms From Eating Flies

Technically, yes, there are a couple of varieties of parasitic worms that cats can get from eating flies. However, those worms aren’t a problem for most adult cats unless they have other health complications. 

However, the worms are a potential complication for younger cats and kittens that don’t have fully developed immune or digestive systems. That means it’s important to keep an eye on your kitten for signs of parasitic infection, like not gaining weight or signs of worms in their feces. 

That said, if you notice your cat getting thinner or not wanting to eat after they’ve been fly hunting, you might want to get them checked for worms. In rare cases, even healthy adult cats can get worms from flies or other sources in your home. 

Regular de-worming may also be necessary for your cat or kitten, depending on where you live and what kinds of parasites are most common in your area. 

How Can I Stop My Cat From Eating Flies

There really isn’t a good way to stop a cat from hunting flies, and most of the time, it isn’t worth trying. Hunting flies is a natural part of cat behavior, so as long as they aren’t getting into trouble by hunting flies, it’s usually better to let them have their fun without interfering. 

Can Flies Lay Eggs On Cats

If your cat has an open wound, flies might try to lay eggs near the wound since maggots (larval flies) eat rotten meat. Maggots can be a concerning sign-on cats, but it’s a good idea to remember that maggots only eat dead meat and can be used in some medical applications. 

Still, if you see maggots on your cat’s skin or in their fur, it’s essential to get them to a vet as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to clean any wounds that attract the flies and may give you antibiotics or other medication to help your cat heal faster and without complications. 

What If My Cat Ate Fly Eggs

Eating fly eggs that were laid on your cat’s food or elsewhere usually isn’t a problem. The eggs will be destroyed by your cat’s digestive system and typically won’t cause problems. 

However, the food that the eggs were laid on may be contaminated or may have gone bad. Otherwise, it shouldn’t have attracted the flies in the first place. You should dispose of any fly egg-contaminated food as soon as you notice the contamination. 

It may also be a good idea to clean out any containers that held contaminated food and to try and keep the general area a little neater, so the flies have fewer food sources and are less likely to stick around. 

Do Cats Attract Flies

Technically cats don’t attract flies, but their poop can. An old litterbox, or poop outside of a litterbox, can be a good place for flies to lay their eggs and might increase the population or local flies. 

That means that you’ll need to keep your cat’s litterboxes relatively clean and make sure they’re using the litterboxes to help avoid fly infestations. 

Flies can also be attracted by rotten food and other messes, so if you’re dealing with a lot of flies, it might be a sign that you need to clean something up. 

Things To Consider

For the most part, when it comes to hunting flies and other insects, it’s best to let cats be cats. Just remember that your cat won’t always know the difference between a fly and a wasp and that some bugs, like cockroaches, might have problematic germs, bacteria, or parasites that can cause problems for your cat. 

If your cat is having to hunt too many bugs, it’s a good sign that something is attracting them, and you might want to find the source.