Our cat sort of sneezed when it tried to eat a ladybug.... Anyone familiar with this behavior?

Question

He went to eat the ladybug, but after approaching the ladybug, instead he sort of sneezed. Not sure why.

Answer 1

Don't know if you had an infestation of lady bugs like we did in Wisconsin going on 2 yrs. ago. These little buggers are different then the lady bugs we usual see and are from another country.

Numbers are dwindling, but once an awhile on warmer, sunny days one will pop up again in the house. We are now in cold winter wheather now, but will still see one from time to time.

These little buggers have a "bad" odor with the color yellow.
Don't want to squeeze them with your fingers, because of the ordor. Could be what your cat experience. Thinking the odor is for defence and kitty got a little too close. I can't tell the good from the bad lady bugs. Good ones can be put on your house plants and do plants a favor.

I pick them up with tissue and dispose of them that way. Kitty may have gotten a surprise.

Answer 2

Ladybugs are red for a reason - they tasted disgusting! Your cat could probably smell the sourness once he got close.

Ladybugs are not toxic to cats, but most cats won't eat them.

Answer 3

I always heard that ladybugs taste bad. That is why they are red; it advertises their bad taste to the birds, which have excellent color vision and many of whom eat bugs.
I assume the kitty, though he might not be able to see red, could smell the bugs foul taste. Cats have a great sense of smell.

Answer 4

Probably because ladybugs taste more than awful. It was likely a reaction to the foul taste.