Fun Fact: Crickets pack an awesome nutritional punch!
When considering your cat’s weekly diet, why not add something she’ll actually get to hunt? Crickets are readily available in many pet stores and contain high amounts of protein and other essential nutrients, including taurine. In fact, Florence Dunkel, associate professor of entomology at Montana State University, notes that a 100 grams of insects contains more protein, calcium and iron than an equal amount of beef!
Crickets are also an ecologically sensitive – no land-clearing needed to raise them – and more sustainable feeding option than mass-produced farm animals. According to the United Nation’s, “Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed“, they use substantially less water and grain than livestock. Pound for pound, crickets require, “…12 times less feed than cattle, 4 times less feed than sheep, and half as much feed as pigs and broiler chickens.” In other words, the same amount of feed needed to produce 1 pound of beef will produce a full 12 pounds of crickets.
As if all that isn’t enough to perk your interest, crickets, like their genetic cousins, the ocean shrimp, are full of healthy Omega 3’s, making them as attractive on the menu as sardines or salmon oil. Unlike shrimp, however, crickets have zero cholesterol.
Plus, they’re just plain fun to catch! So drop a dozen in your tub and offer your kitty a super-nutritious snack and a chance to exercise her predator instincts. It’s a win-win! ♥
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Fascinating! I foresee only one problem….
What happens if one of the little buggers manages to avoid my clutches and escapes into the rest of the apartment?
Daddy will not be pleased!
As quick as you are, Elvira, I’m sure you’ll catch it in due time! LOL!
I tested this with 2 crickets, one each for my 2 cats. Yes, they had fun chasing and playing with them, but weren’t interested in eating them.
How do I get them to eat them?
On the other hand, once I have them a small grasshopper which I’d caught in my car. It last 20 seconds (if that) and was devoured. It was the success with the grasshopper that made me try crickets. Perhaps they weren’t hungry at the time?
Most likely, Junia. Whatever the reason, though, don’t give up on offering them! Even if they don’t eat the crickets every time, they’ll certainly enjoy hunting them. 🙂
I shall definitely try this. My cats are indoor only so it will be fun to see what they do with the crickets!! Is there a source of dried cricket available too?
Interesting question, Sandra! I’ve never looked. Maybe ask your local pet store? Or the shop from which you purchase the live crickets?
Then come back and let us know! (Although, most of the fun in feeding crickets is that the cats actually get to exercise their hunting skills. 😉 )