Cicadas are not poisonous to dogs, but it’s a good idea to discourage pups from playing with or swallowing large numbers. If you live where cicadas will hatch this spring, start now to work on “leave it” cues, on-leash manners, and other strategies that will help when cicadas capture your dogs’ attention.
Where Will Cicadas Hatch This Year?
Periodical cicada Brood XIV will emerge this spring in Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These cicadas are a 17-year Magicicada species last seen in 2008. Cicadas typically emerge in April, May, or June, when soil 8 inches deep reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (17.8 degrees Celsius), often after a warm rain, and when tree leaves are fully developed. Cicadas are remarkable insects, and to appreciate their life cycles, see this BBC report with Sir David Attenborough. The Cicada Mania website maintains a list of counties that will see cicadas in 2025.
Why Do Dogs Eat Cicadas?
For most dogs in affected areas, cicada eruptions are a once-in-a-lifetime event. Cicadas interest dogs because they smell appetizing, are a source of protein, move in ways that attract a dog’s prey drive, make intriguing noises, and have a crunchy texture.
Are Cicadas Dangerous to Dogs?
A single cicada or even a few won’t hurt your dog but too many can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal discomfort. Dogs can experience a local irritation from tiny hair-like structures on the legs of cicadas, which in some cases cause intense itching. Although allergic reactions are rare, some dogs develop anaphylactic shock symptoms. Because cicadas are biologically similar to shellfish, dogs with shellfish allergies may have a similar reaction to cicadas.
Their size, shape, wings, and exoskeletons make cicadas a potential choking hazard for dogs, and if they emerge in an area recently treated with pesticides or other chemicals that are harmful to dogs, they may carry residues of that exposure.
How Can You Keep Your Dogs Safe?
If you live where cicadas will emerge, plan to keep a close eye on your dogs, especially young, curious puppies. Cicadas congregate in shrubs, trees, and on fences, so change walks to avoid those areas as needed. Supervise your dogs’ outdoor activities, keep them on leash where cicadas or their exoskeletons proliferate (there can be over a million cicadas per wooded acre in high-density areas), and be ready to redirect your dog’s attention with treats or games.
What Should You Do with Dead Cicadas?
To prevent problems, act quickly if dead cicadas or their shells litter your yard. Use a dustpan and hand-held broom, rake, or even a snow shovel to collect cicada debris, which can be buried or discarded in sturdy trash bags. If your dogs aren’t interested in cicadas, those steps won’t be necessary, and allowing cicadas to decompose is an easy way to fertilize your yard. According to gardening experts, adding cicadas to compost adds high-quality food for beneficial bacteria and soil fungi.
What If Your Dog Eats Cicadas?
According to Mark Freeman, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in a May 2021 press release, gorging on cicadas can be risky for dogs. “As a general rule,” he said, “a pet can eat several cicadas without any complications. Most dogs find them quite fascinating and will happily pick them up in their mouths. Once pets discover how delightfully crunchy they are, they will also happily eat them. And then eat more and more of them.”
This is when problems develop, he explained, because too many cicadas can create gastrointestinal upsets and even the possibility of an intestinal obstruction.
If your pet gorges on cicadas, Dr. Freeman recommended seeing your veterinarian as soon as possible to establish an appropriate treatment plan based on the severity of clinical signs that develop.
“A little vomiting and diarrhea can be managed relatively easily,” he said, “but severe GI pain or possible obstruction requires a much more aggressive intervention. For dogs who ingest only a few cicadas, the risk is very low for complications or for treatment to be necessary.”
