Can Dogs Eat Cicadas? 2026 Safety Guide for Dog Owners

Every 13 or 17 years, periodical cicadas erupt from the soil by the billions, carpeting lawns, sidewalks, and parks across the eastern and midwestern United States. During an emergence year — and even during annual cicada season in late summer — dogs inevitably crunch down on a few before you can react. The question most owners ask is whether that crunch turns into a vet visit. In the vast majority of cases, it does not. But the details matter, especially for small breeds, puppies, and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

This guide breaks down exactly what cicadas contain nutritionally, how many are "too many," what symptoms warrant a call to the vet, and which related insects you should actively prevent your dog from eating.

What Happens When Your Dog Eats a Cicada?

Cicadas (Magicicada species for periodical broods, Neotibicen for annual varieties) are large insects, typically measuring 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) in body length with a wingspan up to 3 inches. Their exoskeletons are composed primarily of chitin, a tough polysaccharide that dogs cannot easily digest.

When a dog eats one or two cicadas, the most likely outcome is nothing noticeable. The stomach acids break down the softer internal tissues, and the chitinous shell passes through the digestive tract within 24 to 48 hours. You may spot fragments in your dog's stool — this is normal and not a cause for alarm.

Problems arise when dogs consume large quantities. During a periodical emergence, some dogs will gorge themselves on dozens of cicadas if left unsupervised. This can lead to:

• Gastrointestinal blockage: A mass of indigestible exoskeletons can form a bezoar-like mass in the stomach or intestines, particularly in small breeds under 20 lb (9 kg).
• Vomiting and diarrhea: The high chitin content irritates the gastric lining. Expect vomiting within 2–6 hours of heavy ingestion.
• Choking: Live cicadas are noisy and fluttery. A dog that snaps one out of the air may inhale wings or legs into the trachea.
• Pesticide exposure: Cicadas emerging from treated lawns may carry residual insecticides on their bodies.

Are Cicadas Nutritious for Dogs?

From a purely nutritional standpoint, insects — including cicadas — are protein-dense. Research published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition indicates that many edible insects contain 50–65% protein by dry weight, along with B vitamins, iron, and zinc. However, cicadas specifically have not been studied for canine nutritional benefit, and there is no established feeding guideline from any veterinary nutrition board.

The bottom line: There is no nutritional reason to feed cicadas to your dog. A complete-and-balanced commercial diet already provides far more bioavailable protein, iron, and B vitamins than a handful of bugs ever could. Any cicada your dog eats should be treated as an accidental snack, not a supplement.

How Many Cicadas Are Too Many? Serving Size Guidelines

Because cicadas are not a recommended food, there is no "safe serving size" in the traditional sense. Instead, the table below outlines threshold quantities — the approximate number of cicadas at which you should begin monitoring for symptoms, based on your dog's size class.

Dog Size	Weight Range	Low Concern (1–X cicadas)	Monitor Closely	Call Your Vet
Toy / Small	Under 15 lb (7 kg)	1	2–3	4+
Medium	15–50 lb (7–23 kg)	1–2	3–5	6+
Large	50–90 lb (23–41 kg)	1–3	4–8	9+
Giant	Over 90 lb (41 kg)	1–4	5–10	11+

These thresholds account for the exoskeleton mass relative to stomach volume. A Chihuahua that eats four cicadas has essentially filled a significant portion of its stomach with indigestible chitin — the same way a Great Dane eating ten would. The risk is proportional to body size.

Risks and Side Effects: What to Watch For

Most cicada ingestions resolve without intervention. However, you should be aware of four specific risk categories:

1. Choking and Airway Obstruction

Cicada wings are thin, veined membranes that can lodge in the pharynx or larynx. Signs of choking include pawing at the mouth, gagging, retching without producing vomit, and labored breathing. Small, brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus) are at higher risk due to their already-compromised airways. If you suspect a wing or leg fragment is stuck, do not attempt a blind finger sweep — you may push the object deeper. Contact your vet immediately.

2. Gastrointestinal Upset

Vomiting typically occurs within 2 to 6 hours of eating multiple cicadas. Diarrhea may follow within 12 to 24 hours. The vomit may contain recognizable insect parts — this is expected. As long as your dog remains hydrated and the vomiting stops within 12 hours, home monitoring is appropriate. Offer small sips of water and withhold food for 12 hours before reintroducing a bland diet (boiled chicken and white rice in a 1:2 ratio).

3. Pesticide Contamination

This is the risk many owners overlook. If cicadas emerge from a lawn or garden recently treated with insecticides (particularly neonicotinoids like imidacloprid), the insects may carry toxic residue on their exoskeletons. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives calls every emergence season about dogs showing tremors, drooling, and ataxia after eating pesticide-laden insects. If you know your yard or a neighbor's yard has been chemically treated, prevent your dog from eating any cicadas from that area.

4. Allergic Reactions

Insect proteins can trigger allergic responses in sensitized dogs, similar to shellfish allergies in humans (both insects and crustaceans share tropomyosin proteins). Signs include facial swelling, hives, intense itching, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis. If your dog has a known shellfish allergy, avoid cicada exposure entirely.

Prevention: How to Keep Your Dog Safe During Cicada Season

You cannot eliminate cicadas from your environment during an emergence, but you can manage your dog's exposure with practical steps:

Insects and Bugs Dogs Should Never Eat

While cicadas themselves are non-toxic, several insects and arthropods commonly found in the same outdoor environments pose serious dangers to dogs:

Insect / Arthropod	Risk Level	Primary Danger
Fire ants	High	Painful stings, oral swelling, anaphylaxis in sensitized dogs
Monarch butterfly caterpillars	High	Cardiac glycosides from milkweed — toxic if ingested
Blister beetles	High	Cantharidin toxin — causes severe GI ulceration and kidney damage
Cockroaches	Moderate	Parasite vectors (roundworms, tapeworms); may carry bait poison
Stink bugs	Low–Moderate	Foul secretion causes drooling and vomiting; not systemically toxic
June bugs / May beetles	Low–Moderate	Similar to cicadas — GI upset in large quantities, choking risk
Ladybugs (Asian lady beetles)	Moderate	Can cause oral burns and GI irritation when crushed in the mouth
Spiders (Black Widow, Brown Recluse)	Severe	Venomous bites — neurotoxic or necrotic; emergency veterinary care required

If you are unsure what insect your dog ate, try to photograph the remains or collect a sample in a baggie. This helps your vet or a poison control specialist identify potential toxins quickly.

Dogs Who Should Never Eat Cicadas

While occasional accidental ingestion is unlikely to cause harm in healthy adult dogs, the following groups should be actively prevented from eating cicadas:

• Puppies under 6 months: Their smaller GI tracts and developing immune systems make them more susceptible to blockage and allergic sensitization.
• Senior dogs (over 10 years): Reduced GI motility increases the risk that a mass of exoskeletons will cause a partial obstruction.
• Brachycephalic breeds: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and similar breeds already have narrowed airways (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS). A cicada wing lodged in the pharynx can become life-threatening much faster than in a dolichocephalic breed like a Greyhound.
• Dogs with a history of GI disease: Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), megaesophagus, or prior intestinal surgeries are at elevated risk for complications from indigestible material.
• Dogs with known insect or shellfish allergies: Cross-reactivity between insect and crustacean proteins is documented in veterinary dermatology literature.
• Dogs on immunosuppressive medications: Reduced immune function means any bacterial load on a wild insect carries higher infection risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. If your dog has ingested a substance you are concerned about, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog's diet or if you have questions about a medical condition.