When your cat becomes curious, it will want to eat different things and that can include insects. While there is nothing wrong with a cat eating insects, it can get into a bit of trouble with moths. This will make you shout “My cat ate a moth!” thinking the worst.
Cats can eat moths as they are non-toxic and harmless. However, eating too many moths can cause the cat to deal with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or stomach pain.
It’s best to control what your cat is eating to the best of your ability and make sure it doesn’t choke on the moth. Otherwise, you are going to be good to go in a situation such as this!
Key factors include:
- Type of Moth
- Size of the Moth
- Number of Moths Consumed
With younger cats, you will want to be careful about what they are eating. It is not recommended to start feeding moths to a kitten as it might end up with digestive issues over time.
It might eat one without you looking but if possible try to control the kitten’s behavior.
For those saying “My cat ate a moth!” this guide will showcase what to look for when a cat eats moths and how to make sure the cat stays healthy.
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Tips To Follow If Your Cat Ate A Moth
1. Don’t Panic
The first thing you want to do is not panic.
It is easy for cat owners to get worried their cat ate something it was not supposed to. In fact, if you are saying “My cat ate a moth!” you are likely worried about the cat’s health.
This is not an issue at all.
Cats can easily eat insects but it is important to make sure they are not eating too many. This is what causes the cat to get an upset stomach.
Just focus on the cat’s behavior after it consumes the moth. In most cases, nothing is going to happen and you will be good to go.
If you are concerned about this becoming a regular behavior, it might be best to take a look at what you are feeding the cat at home. Sometimes, a cat will look elsewhere for nutrients because it is unsatisfied with what is present in its current diet.
This is a good way to update the cat’s diet plan and perhaps speak to a vet about your cat’s breed.

2. Pay Attention For Symptoms
When saying “My cat ate a moth!” you want to keep things simple.
Just take a step back and relax. This means you are going to want to pay attention for symptoms and figure out whether or not the cat is safe.
If the moth has harmed the cat, it will start to show signs of an upset stomach. This is rare and it is not something to actively worry about!
If you do notice symptoms, it is essential to take the cat to a vet as soon as possible!
You don’t want to wait around because it might end up getting worse. The vet will do an x-ray to see what’s going on and make sure the cat is in good health with appropriate medication to handle the digestive symptoms.

3. Give a Bit of Water
You will want to wash the moth down.
This can be done by giving the cat a little bit of water by putting it in front of the cat. If you don’t do this, you are going to have a situation where the cat falls ill because the moth got trapped inside.
If you are saying “My cat ate a moth!” you will already be aware of the moth being consumed.
Why not give the cat a bit of water to make sure it can rinse down the moth? It will make it a lot easier for the digestive process to begin as intended.
Related Questions
1. Why Did My Cat Eat A Moth?
Cats can eat moths when they are hungry and/or not receiving enough key nutrients through their existing diet. This can be a sign to assess the cat’s diet and make appropriate changes so it doesn’t seek external sources of food.
2. Do Cats Eat Bugs Or Just Kill Them?
Cats are more than happy to eat bugs and insects are a common part of a cat’s diet. In some cases, a cat may chase insects and kill them as a form of play due to their natural hunting instinct.
Final Thoughts
“My cat ate a moth!”
Cats can eat moths and it will not get effected by digestive this insect. It is non-toxic and many cats do chase moths around.
However, you don’t want the cat to eat a lot of moths. This can be dangerous and cause an upset stomach along with other digestive issues.
Here’s more on cats – advice on stopping slugs from eating cat food, steps after a cat eats string, how high can a cat jump from, and reasons some cats dislike wet cat food.