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Vet explains the dangers of dogs and�cicadas�as trillions of the bugs take flight
As trillions of cicadas emerge from their burrows and molt their exoskeletons, its only natural to wonder if there is any danger to your dogs or cats.
In 2024, in the first double emergence in 221 years, Brood XIX and Brood XIII will terrorize the Southeast and Midwest. Much like the recent solar eclipse, which is said to return in 2045, the cicadas will not emerge together again until 2245.
Cicadas are coming out in force in 2024
Though an exact date is still unknown, it’s believed that Brood XIX and Brood XIII will emerge from their cicada burrows around mid-May. The phenomenon is usually triggered by warm rain when temperatures underground reach 64 degrees. As reported by Cicada Mania, the process is thought to last until late June.
While nothing is set in stone when it comes to the cicadas, Brood XIX is estimated to affect the following States:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Meanwhile, Brood XIII is set to emerge in these States:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
Are cicadas a danger to your dogs?
It’s very normal to worry about the safety and health of your pets if you live in one of the above States. Thankfully, cicadas are not a danger to humans beyond mere annoyance.
The same could not be said of your four-legged friends who love to ingest foreign objects randomly. Luckily, veterinary expert Dr Joanna Woodnutt told The Focus that cicadas are nothing too serious to worry about.
“Cicadas are not poisonous to dogs, so there’s no need to panic. They can be irritating to the stomach, and eating them may sometimes result in vomiting or inappetence, due to this irritation,” the vet, who graduated from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016, told us. “However, it would be unlucky for most dogs to suffer any side effects after eating a single cicada. During the emergence, it’s best to keep your dog on a lead to prevent them from eating too many of the bugs.”
The Alderney-based Vet further explained that dogs can still enjoy time in the yard as long as they are supervised for short periods of time “to reduce the risk of bugs landing and being eaten.”
She added: “If your dog eats a cicada, don’t panic. Just monitor them for any side effects and call your veterinarian if you’re worried. Most vomiting caused by eating cicadas will be self-limiting, meaning it’ll improve on its own within 24 hours. Keep your pet hydrated and call your vet if they struggle to keep food or water down.”
