If your cat has access to outdoors, she has likely encountered insects like ladybugs and arachnids such as spiders. While she finds these as great prey, she may also chase and catch wriggly arthropods like millipedes. However, this could be worrisome since these wrigglers emit fluids that are harmful to animals.
Are millipedes poisonous to cats?
no, millipedes are not poisonous to cats and they do not bite. however, some species emit defensive fluids that can irritate or burn your cat’s eyes and skin. fluids contain chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, organic acids, phenol, cresols, hydrogen cyanide, benzoquinones, and hydroquinone.
common symptoms of cats being sprayed with millipede fluids include the following:
- meowing and making noise due to distress
- roll around in the dirt to try to get rid of the smell
- pat and lick the affected area
- pacing due to agitation
If your cat ate a millipede while it was shedding its defensive fluid, she may experience an upset stomach and manifest symptoms such as vomiting, meowing, and discomfort, as well as loss of appetite. however, these symptoms will only last for at least 24 hours and your cat will be relatively fine. If for any reason, she is still not feeling well after a day, you should take her to the vet for a full checkup and treatment.
millipedes have long, segmented bodies protected by an exoskeleton, have a pair of antennae on their heads, and have many legs, about 40 to 400 pairs. there are more or less 7,000 different species of these arthropods, and some of them are dark brown or black in color and some are brightly colored but toxic in nature. they move slowly, are not prone to biting, and can be anywhere from a half inch to six and a half inches long.
When provoked, their main defense mechanism is to curl up in a tight coil to protect their delicate legs. however, when they are severely threatened, such as when struck and bitten by a cat, their glands produce a spray of chemical fluid that has an irritant effect. millipedes can spray liquid up to 80 cm, causing eye burns, irritation and skin discoloration.
Are millipedes poisonous if eaten?
no, millipedes are not poisonous if eaten. however, your cat may experience an upset stomach, especially if the millipede was giving off its defensive fluid while eating it. He will vomit, meow excessively, and feel discomfort, but these symptoms usually go away after a day.
do millipedes hurt you?
no, millipedes don’t hurt you unless you threaten them and handle them roughly. They are not aggressive and are generally slow moving, so they do not pose a threat at all. however, if severely threatened, they produce defensive fluids that can cause allergic reactions in humans. irritant fluid contains hydrochloric acid which causes chemical burns and skin discoloration.
are centipedes poisonous to cats?
yes, some centipedes are poisonous to cats. larger centipedes that have venom can bite your cat and this could cause a localized reaction or fever and weakness. take her to the vet if you suspect your cat was bitten by a large one. The giant red-headed centipede and the Texas red-headed centipede are highly venomous species, but they are generally not found near homes as their natural habitats are rocky wooded areas.
final thoughts
Cats are curious and love to chase both fluttering and squirming creatures. like insects and butterflies, they are attracted to millipedes because of their movement and size. While millipedes are not poisonous to cats, they can still cause adverse symptoms such as an upset stomach and chemical burns to the eyes and skin.
image: istockphoto.com/nils jacobi
