When the weather outside begins to warm, bugs begin to take over. According to where you live, dealing with insects in the summer can be a real hassle. These bugs literally come up from the ground in late spring and early summer. The June bug is one of them. For older generations, June bugs are a staple of summer. As a child, many people remember running outside and laughing as June bugs get stuck on their shirts or hit them on the head while they played. While kids may not play outside as much as they used to, June bugs are still around. Nowadays, it’s our dogs that seem to be the ones wanting to play with June bugs.
Any dog owner who takes their dog outside in the summer has probably seen them play with June bugs. You might find it funny to watch your dog jump and snap their air in an attempt to catch one, but when they do, you start to worry. Instead of playing the catch-and-release game, most dogs eat June bugs. If that happens, what should you do? Are they dangerous? Luckily, June bugs don’t hurt dogs and don’t sting. However, you shouldn’t allow your dog to eat an entire field full of these warm-weather beetles. Let us talk about why it’s okay to play with June bugs but not too much for your dog.
My Dog Ate a June Bug! Are These Summer Insects Harmful?
As the weather warms up June bugs emerge from their long winter’s nap. These beetles with their distinct copper-colored shells buzz through summer nights in droves. And our curious canine companions often find them irresistible! But what happens if your dog scarfs one up? Are June bugs actually harmful if eaten? Let’s dig into the details surrounding dogs and June bugs.
What Exactly are June Bugs?
June bugs are a type of scarab beetle that are active during summer months Over 200 species exist in North America. Some common names for them include May beetles, June beetles, and dog-day cicadas They earned the moniker “June bug” because they proliferate in early summer when trees and flowers are in bloom.
Adult June bugs feed on plant leaves, nectar, pollen, and tree sap. At around 1 inch long, their size makes them a tempting tasty treat for dogs when spotted buzzing by. June bugs are a common snack dogs will gulp up if given the chance while outside.
Are June Bugs Toxic to Dogs?
The good news is that June bugs themselves are not toxic to dogs. Eating one or two will not directly cause any poisoning or illness in your pup. June bugs don’t bite or sting either. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean dogs should be chomping them up. Those hard shells can still lead to trouble if enough are consumed.
Risks of Dogs Eating June Bugs
While June bugs don’t contain toxins, their crunchy exterior makes them a potential health hazard for dogs that indulge in these insects. Here are the main risks:
- Intestinal Blockages
June bugs have a very hard shell that is difficult to digest. Eating one or two probably will pass through a dog’s system without issue. But if your dog eats many June bugs, their shells can accumulate and clog up the intestinal tract. This can lead to an obstructed bowel, which prevents food and waste from passing normally.
Surgery may be required to remove the obstruction and prevent life-threatening damage to the digestive system. So while one June bug isn’t a major concern, a whole swarm of them can spell trouble. Pay attention to how many your dog manages to consume.
- Injury to Mouth or Throat
A dog that hastily gulps down June bugs may scratch their mouth, gums, throat, or esophagus. This opens the door to potential infections. The prickly little feet and hard wings and shells of June bugs makes them a choking hazard as well. In rare cases, they could get lodged in the windpipe if not chewed properly.
- Allergic Reaction
Some dogs may be allergic to chitin, the material that makes up insects’ exoskeletons. This can cause itchy skin, upset stomach, or other signs of an allergic reaction after eating June bugs. Keep an eye out for symptoms if your dog has environmental allergies.
Signs Your Dog Ate Too Many June Bugs
Look for these symptoms if you suspect your pup chowed down an excessive amount of June bugs:
- Repeated vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy and weakness
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Difficulty defecating
- Coughing or gagging
- Swelling and itchiness
Any signs of intestinal obstruction, throat injury, or allergic reaction warrant an immediate trip to the emergency vet clinic. Time is of the essence!
What to Do If Your Dog Eats June Bugs
If you catch your dog munching on a June bug or two, try not to panic. But do take action to prevent more extensive consumption. Here are some tips:
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Redirect their attention to distract from eating more bugs. Bring them inside right away.
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Brush your dog’s teeth and rinse their mouth out with water to remove any June bug parts.
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Monitor them closely for signs of vomiting, choking, or allergic reaction.
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Contact your vet if they devoured a large quantity for guidance on prevention and treatment.
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Invest in monthly heartworm prevention medication, which can aid with parasitic infections from eating insects.
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Train your dog to “leave it” and redirect to their own toys and treats instead of bugs.
Preventing June Bug Ingestion
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to dogs and June bugs. Here are proactive steps to take:
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Supervise dogs when outside, especially at dawn and dusk when June bugs are most active.
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Install lighting around outdoor areas to deter June bug swarms. The bugs are drawn to light sources.
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Use June bug traps and barriers to catch them before they reach your lawn.
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Keep dogs leashed and away from June bug infested areas on walks.
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Pick up any visible June bugs in your yard that your dog could eat.
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Provide chew toys and puzzle feeders with their own food to discourage bug eating.
Ask Your Vet About Insect Consumption
As always, your veterinarian is your best resource for information about your dog’s unique health conditions and risks. Tell them if your dog has a habit of eating June bugs or other insects so they can advise you on potential dangers and prevention tips.
The Bottom Line on June Bugs
While June bugs themselves aren’t toxic, dogs that consume a lot of their crunchy shells risk intestinal blockage or other injuries. Limit your dog’s access to June bugs when possible. If they eat some, monitor closely for symptoms and contact your vet right away if problems develop. With sensible precautions, both you and your furry friend can appreciate June’s beauty without bugs bugging your summer fun.
What Are June Bugs?
The term June bug can refer to any of the 100 species of beetles flying around. You may also hear people call them May or June beetles. July bugs start to come up from the ground in late spring, as summer gets closer. Their eggs were laid the summer before. This is where the name comes from. It only takes 3 weeks for June bugs to grow into adults.
Like most beetles, June bugs are attracted to light. For this reason, they like being near your porch or street lights when you’re outside in the summer. Because they come out at night, people and dogs usually come into contact with these bugs later at night or around dusk. This is when June bugs prefer to come out and eat vegetation, sap, or decaying matter.
The Dangers of Eating June Bugs
If your pooch can catch a June bug or two, there shouldn’t be any issues. If your dog really knows how to catch June bugs and does it a lot in the summer, though, there are a few things you should watch out for. Let’s take a look at those below.
June bugs have sticky legs that can get stuck in your dog’s throat. It sounds gross. This can leave them with an itchy, scratchy throat. So that this doesn’t happen, if you see the bugs coming, give your dog some water to wash down their flying protein chip.
Your dog might enjoy a June bug for its protein and fun crunch, but it’s not normally what they eat. Indigestion or an upset stomach can occur, especially since dogs can’t digest June bug shells. Most of the time, this happens after a dog eats a few June bugs. It can cause some vomiting and diarrhea. Too many June bugs can make your dog sick, but the stomach upset is usually not too bad. If your dog is sick for a long time, it can make them lose water. Your dog might get sick after eating June bugs, so keep an eye on them and take them to the vet if they seem sick.
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Remember when we said June bugs eat decaying matter? This decaying matter can include animal feces. There are chances that inside this feces, June bugs may pick up parasites. When your dog eats one, it could possibly pick up one of these parasites as well. Even though it’s not likely, if you see any problems, you should call your vet to make sure your dog doesn’t have a parasite.
June bugs can wreak havoc on lawns and gardens along with other insects. For this reason, many people use pesticides and insecticides around their lawns and gardens. Often, the burrowing June bugs also get coated with these chemicals. It doesn’t happen often, but if dogs eat June bugs that have these dangerous pesticides on them, they can get sick again. If you think this might be true, take your dog to the vet right away and tell them about any information you have about the insecticide or pesticide that was used.
Funny dog : eating june bugs
FAQ
Can dogs get sick from eating June bugs?
Are June bugs toxic?
Should I be worried if my dog eats bugs?
What animals eat June bugs?
What happens if a dog eats June Bugs?
When your dog eats enough June bugs that he’s dealing with indigestion, this leads to vomiting and diarrhea. Depending on his indigestion, those symptoms can be long-lasting and severe. Dehydration can then set in as a result, which is considered a severe health condition in dogs.
How many June bugs can a dog eat?
If your dog just eats one or two, they should be fine. But if your dog went ate many more, they are likely to experience stomach upset, which might also include vomiting and diarrhea. The size of your dog is also a factor: Small dogs might not even be able to handle one bug, while giant breeds might be okay with three or fewer June bugs.
Are June Bugs poisonous to dogs?
Luckily, June bugs aren’t poisonous to dogs and they don’t sting. However, you shouldn’t allow your dog to eat an entire field full of these warm-weather beetles. Let’s learn why playing with June bugs is okay, but overdoing things can be too much for your pooch. What Are June Bugs?
Can a June Bug Bite a dog?
It sounds gross, but the sticky legs of a June bug can get a bit stuck on the way down your dog’s throat. This can leave them with an itchy, scratchy throat. To help avoid this issue, if you notice the bug assault, offer your dog a little water to wash down their flying protein chip.
Can a dog eat a pile of dead June Bugs?
These June bugs will usually be dead, not flying around. But if your dog finds a pile of dead June bugs and eats a bunch, they will also be ingesting poison from the insecticides. See your vet if your dog eats a pile of dead June bugs or eats too many while on a walk.
What happens if a dog eats a bug?
They aren’t necessarily toxic, but their bitter exudate can cause your dog to drool or vomit if he bites into one. Sometimes a large number of bugs go down the canine hatch. They can form a bezoar — a hard mass — in the stomach that is unable to pass through the digestive tract. It may need to be removed surgically.