With caution — cats and crickets
Crickets and other insects are not toxic to cats and are, nutritionally, a reasonable protein source. Cats in the wild eat insects opportunistically — it is biologically normal behaviour. The caveats are practical: wild-caught insects carry pesticide, parasite, and toxin risks that farmed crickets do not. Insect protein as a deliberate diet component is an emerging category with genuine potential, not a gimmick.
🏆 PawKeen Safety Score™ — Crickets for Cats
"Insect protein is the most nutritionally interesting development in pet food I've seen in a decade. Crickets have a complete amino acid profile comparable to conventional meat, a favourable omega fatty acid ratio, and substantially lower environmental impact. The digestibility question — how well cats extract protein from chitin-encased insects — is genuinely still being studied, and current evidence suggests it is somewhat lower than from conventional meat protein. For cats with food allergies or intolerances to common proteins (chicken, beef, fish), insect-based food is a legitimate novel protein option worth exploring."
The straight answer
Cats can eat crickets, and they often try to. A cat that bats a cricket across the kitchen floor and then eats it has done something entirely normal — wild felids consume insects opportunistically as a small component of their diet. Farmed, clean crickets are not toxic, provide reasonable protein, and pose no particular danger. The practical issues are about which crickets, how they were raised, and whether you're thinking about this as a treat or as a meaningful part of the diet.
Why insect protein is worth taking seriously
This is not a fad. The nutritional case for insects as a protein source is solid enough that multiple commercial cat food manufacturers have launched cricket or black soldier fly larva-based products, and the pet food industry globally is treating insect protein as a long-term ingredient category rather than a novelty.
The specific arguments:
Complete amino acid profile. Crickets (Acheta domesticus) contain all essential amino acids, including methionine, lysine, and taurine in meaningful concentrations. A 100g serving of dried crickets provides roughly 60–70g of protein — comparable to lean beef. The protein quality, as measured by amino acid completeness, is substantially better than plant-based proteins that are sometimes positioned as environmental alternatives.
Appropriate fat profile. Crickets contain both saturated and unsaturated fats including linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid for cats). The overall fat content is moderate, and the fatty acid composition is more favourable than some conventional meat options.
Micronutrients. Dried crickets are a source of iron, zinc, B12, calcium, and magnesium — all relevant for feline health. The calcium content is partly from the exoskeleton (chitin), not just soft tissue, which is one reason serving size matters.
Novel protein advantage. For cats with established food allergies or intolerances — typically to chicken, beef, or fish — insect protein represents a genuinely novel protein source that the immune system has not encountered. This is the strongest immediate clinical argument for insect-based cat food in Australia right now.
The chitin question
Chitin is the structural carbohydrate that makes up insects' exoskeletons. It is functionally similar to dietary fibre — largely indigestible by mammalian digestive enzymes. This raises a legitimate question: if a meaningful portion of the cricket's mass is indigestible chitin, how much of the stated protein is actually bioavailable?
Current research suggests that the digestibility of insect protein in cats is somewhat lower than conventional meat protein — roughly 70–85% for insects versus 85–95% for quality meat sources. This is relevant for formulating diets but does not mean crickets are a poor choice. It means that insect-based complete cat foods need to account for this in their formulation, and reputable manufacturers do.
For cats with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or chronic digestive issues, the chitin fibre may cause more pronounced GI response on first introduction. Start with smaller amounts and watch stools over 24–48 hours.
Wild insects vs. farmed insects — the risk that actually matters
A cat eating a cricket it caught in the garden is doing something biologically normal but practically riskier than eating farmed crickets. Here's why:
Pesticide and insecticide exposure. Australian gardens are commonly treated with surface sprays, lawn fertilisers, and insecticides. A cricket that has been living in a treated garden may carry a meaningful pesticide load. This is particularly relevant for organophosphate-based sprays, which affect the nervous system. The amount in one cricket is unlikely to cause acute illness, but regular ingestion of pesticide-laden insects is a real concern.
Snail bait. Metaldehyde-based snail bait is widely used in Australian gardens and is among the most common causes of accidental pet poisoning. Cats can eat a slug or snail that has consumed the bait, or directly eat pellets that smell attractive. If your cat is hunting insects or molluscs in the garden and you've used snail bait, call the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 immediately — metaldehyde causes severe neurological signs and is a genuine emergency.
Parasite burden. Wild insects can carry parasites that are transmissible to cats, including Physaloptera (stomach worm) via cricket intermediate hosts. This is not a reason to panic every time a cat eats a moth, but it is a reason not to actively supplement with wild-caught insects.
Commercially farmed crickets raised for food production — sold through pet suppliers and specialty insect food companies in Australia — are raised on controlled substrates, tested for pathogens, and don't carry the same risks. This is the category worth considering.
Insect-based cat food in Australia
The Australian market for insect-protein pet food is small but growing. At time of writing, the following categories are available:
| Product type | Where available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried whole crickets (snack/treat) | Specialty insect food retailers, some pet shops | Source matters — look for human-food-grade producers |
| Cricket protein powder | Health food and pet supplement retailers | Check ingredient list — no added seasonings or salt |
| Complete insect-protein cat food (wet or dry) | Specialty pet food stores; limited Pet Circle stock | Formulated as complete diet — appropriate amino acid and taurine supplementation included |
The complete insect-protein cat foods available in Australia are formulated to AAFCO or FEDIAF standards with taurine supplementation — they should not be evaluated the same way as whole raw crickets, where the taurine content is meaningful but not the only consideration.
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) updated its regulatory position on insect foods in 2023, recognising several species as novel foods with approved status. The regulatory landscape is still evolving, which is worth knowing if you follow label claims carefully.
Comparison: insect protein vs. conventional protein for cats
| Factor | Cricket protein | Chicken (breast) | Beef mince | Fish (salmon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete amino acids | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Taurine content (per 100g) | Moderate (~50mg) | Low (~15mg cooked) | Low | Moderate–high |
| Digestibility in cats | ~75–85% | ~90–95% | ~90–95% | ~90–95% |
| Novel protein (allergy use) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Environmental footprint | Very low | Moderate | High | Variable |
| Availability in AU | Specialty only | Ubiquitous | Ubiquitous | Common |
🚨 My Cat Ate Crickets — What Now?
Crickets are not a toxicity risk. If your cat ate garden insects that may have been exposed to pesticides or snail bait, call the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Snail bait (metaldehyde) is particularly dangerous and requires urgent veterinary assessment.
Signs that warrant a vet call:
- GI upset (loose stools
- vomiting) on first introduction — chitin
- the insect exoskeleton fibre
- is novel to most cats' digestive systems. Introduce gradually. Rare allergic reaction: if your cat has a known shellfish allergy
- note that chitin is structurally similar to crustacean shells and a cross-reaction is possible
If your cat ate a large amount or is showing the signs above: Don't wait — call immediately.
📞 Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738Available 24/7 across Australia. Have your cat's weight, breed and approximate quantity consumed ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — and more than most people assume. Small felids (the ancestors of domestic cats) supplement their diet with insects, particularly during seasons when rodents are less available. Insects are not a primary prey category but they are a regular, natural part of a cat's diet across many habitats. The "obligate carnivore" label is correct in that cats need animal protein — it does not mean they only eat mice.
For more on novel and emerging cat food categories, see our cat food safety hub and our guide to what cats can eat instead of cat food for a broader look at safe protein alternatives.
📚 Sources & Further Reading
- Bosch G, et al. Insect-based pet food and feed: a review of nutritional value, digestibility and safety. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 2016;2(2):83-96.
- Adámek M, et al. Chitin digestibility and its nutritional impact in companion animals. Veterinary Sciences 2021.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Insecticides and Pesticide Poisoning in Cats. https://www.aspca.org
- Australian Veterinary Association — Novel Protein Sources in Pet Nutrition. https://www.ava.com.au
- FSANZ — Insect foods in Australia — regulatory framework update 2023. https://www.foodstandards.gov.au
