Are there any insects that are dangerous for a cat to fool with or eat? Is it safe to let my cat on my deck?

Question

I've recently moved and my cat is spending time outside on the deck for the first time. I'd like any advice A) if it's safe and I don't have to worry about him jumping or falling off, and all the bugs he chases around and sometimes eats i wonder if there are any that could make him sick or worse. Thanks.

Answer 1

I used to let my cat out on my balcony...then he jumped. It was only the 2nd story and he was okay, but it's not worth it. He could have ran away, been hit by a car, or snatched by some person who would do terrible things to him (it happens!). Your kitty could also accidentally fall if he decides to walk on the railing...or thinks he'll jump down to the next balcony and misses. I know cats love the outdoors, but unless it's screened in (or you're with him), I would advise against it.

I have never heard of any poisonous insects to cats as far as ingestion. But be leery of spiders and mantids which may bite when he plays with them. There is an animal poison control center: [phone]

Answer 2

As other people have said, cats do jump or fall off decks and sometimes end up with broken bones or other injuries. They also may not know how to find the door to the house or apartment they live in, and are effectively lost while their owners think they are safe on the deck.

Besides the danger of trying to eat a stinging insect, one of the major sources of rabies in the US is bats. Sick bats will hide in dark places such as under a deck or in the house eaves above it, and may fall off onto the deck when near death but still alive enough to bite a cat that discovers them.

You may be able to provide a safe outdoor area for your cat by enclosing the deck completely in bird netting (sold to keep birds from eating all the fruit off a tree before it is ripe) or screen, but it would take some doing. It's easier to only allow the cat out on the deck when you are out there to supervise it.

Answer 3

Stinging insects like hornets are not good for cats. Usually they get a swelled paw from slapping them, but if they bite at them first, they could get stung in the nose or mouth. Usually Fall is the worst time for these insects.

Almost all other insects are ok.

But unsupervised time on a deck is dangerous, an awful lot of cats misjudge the distance down and think they can jump 3 stories to the ground below. Stay out there with him or don't let him out on his own. I had to stop my Siamese from leaping down off a two story porch once, that woke me up to the fact they misjudge the bushes/grass below them.

Answer 4

Cats can jump up onto and fall off things fairly easily. They fall out of skyscrapers so you have to assume that they aren't that careful especially when they are trying to swat a bird or a bug. They get involved in the hunt, they reach out, lose their balance and fall.

They are naturally inquisitive so they may try walking onto roofs or gutters or sometimes onto the tops of umbrellas. If it looks interesting, they will probably test it. This is why they need all of their nine lives.

I've seen cats mostly eat moths with no ill effects although they prefer a cat treat or a piece of chicken.

Answer 5

Well, I used to lt my cat on the deck. Not for a really long time though. The problems I came out with were her getting Flees and going wild because she never usually spent time outside. Your cat shouldnt have any problems with bugs unless its bee season. Be careful with yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and bees. Thats the usual. If you watch his behaviour after coming from outside, and its good hes ok. :)

Answer 6

When my male cat was only a few months old he got stung on the paw by a bee. It swole up something awful and he kept licking it. I was so upset and looking around for something I could do for him. People kept telling me he would be okay.

And he was, eventually.

Cats have their own sense of what's good for them and if they find it tasting bad they will just spit it out and be more careful next time. My cats eat a lot of bugs.

I wouldnt worry.

Answer 7

u don't want to risk him falling off your deck so always supervise him when he's out there.
stinging insects are the only ones that can harm cats.
u should see my kitten
she eats anything from Beatles to lizards
disgusting
but kinda cool.

Answer 8

Of course, I would never ever let my Cat play and have fun with a Bee, Yellow-Jacket, a Wasp, a Hornet, etc etc.

Answer 9

Wasps or bees in case they sting!