Maggots are fly larvae that feed on decaying organic matter. They can infest cat food that is left out for too long or exposed to flies.
If a cat eats maggots, it may experience digestive upset, infection, bacterial poisoning, pain, and blood loss.
To prevent these problems, cat owners should store and dispose of cat food properly, monitor their cats for symptoms, and seek veterinary care if needed.
Understanding Maggot Infestation in Cat Food
Causes of Maggot Infestation in Cat Food
Maggot infestation in cat food can occur when flies lay eggs on the food or on nearby surfaces.
Flies are attracted to moist and smelly food, especially meat-based products. They can also sense the presence of bacteria and fungi that grow on spoiled food.
The eggs hatch into maggots within a few days. The maggots then start to consume the food, breaking it down with their digestive enzymes. They can also migrate to other food sources or hide under the food container.
Maggot infestation in cat food is more likely to happen in warm and humid weather when flies are more active and food spoils faster.
It can also happen if cat food is stored improperly, such as in open containers, plastic bags, or cardboard boxes.
Additionally, it can happen if cat food is left out for too long or not cleaned up after feeding.
What Happens When a Cat Eats Maggots?
1. Digestive Upset
One of the most common effects of eating maggots is digestive upset. Maggots can irritate the cat’s stomach and intestines, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. They can also interfere with the cat’s normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Digestive upset can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss. It can also make the cat more susceptible to other infections and diseases.
2. Infection
Another possible effect of eating maggots is infection. Maggots can carry bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause diseases in cats. Some of these diseases include:
- Myiasis: This is a condition where maggots infest the cat’s skin or internal organs. It can cause inflammation, ulceration, tissue damage, and secondary infections. It can also be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Bacterial toxicity: This is a condition where bacteria produce toxins that affect the cat’s nervous system. It can cause symptoms such as muscle tremors, seizures, paralysis, coma, and death.
- Disastrous allergies: This is a condition where the cat’s immune system reacts severely to the maggots or their secretions. It can cause symptoms such as itching, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, shock, and death.
3. Bacterial Poisoning
Maggots can make cats sick by carrying harmful bacteria. These bacteria get into the food and release toxins that upset the cat’s stomach. The cat may vomit, have diarrhea, feel pain in the belly, get a fever, or lose water.
Some common bacteria that cause this are Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus. People who touch or eat the same food can also get infected by these bacteria.
4. Pain and Blood Loss
Another possible effect of eating maggots is pain and blood loss. This is a condition where maggots damage the cat’s mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines with their sharp mouthparts or enzymes. It can cause symptoms such as bleeding, ulcers, perforations, and obstructions.
Pain and blood loss can lead to anemia, shock, infection, and death. It can also make the cat more vulnerable to other complications.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Maggots?
Monitor for Symptoms
If you suspect that your cat has eaten maggots or maggot-infested food, you should monitor it for any signs of illness or distress. Some of these signs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling
- Itching
- Bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Coma
You should also check your cat’s skin for any wounds or sores that may be infested with maggots. You may see small white worms crawling out of the lesions or under the fur.
Seek Veterinary Care
Take your cat to the vet right away if you see signs of maggots in or on your cat. The vet will check your cat and do tests to find out what’s wrong and how bad it is.
The vet may also get rid of the maggots by taking them out or giving your cat medicine to kill them. The vet may also give your cat other medicines, fluids, blood, or surgery to treat the infection or poisoning caused by the maggots.
The vet will also tell you how to look after your cat at home and avoid more problems.
Properly Store and Dispose of Cat Food
To prevent maggot infestation in cat food in the future, you should store and dispose of cat food properly. Some tips include:
- Store dry cat food in airtight containers made of metal or plastic.
- Store wet cat food in sealed cans or pouches in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Do not leave cat food out for more than an hour at room temperature.
- Discard any leftover or spoiled cat food in a trash bin with a tight lid.
- Clean up any spilled or dropped cat food from the floor or furniture.
- Wash your hands before and after handling cat food.
Prevention Tips to Keep Maggots Out of Cat Food
1. Proper Food Handling and Storage
One of the best ways to keep maggots out of cat food is to handle and store it properly. Some tips include:
- Buy high-quality cat food from reputable sources.
- Check the expiration date and packaging of cat food before buying or using it.
- Avoid buying or using damaged, dented, or swollen cans or pouches of cat food.
- Avoid buying or using moldy, discolored, or foul-smelling cat food.
- Keep dry cat food in a cool, dry, and dark place away from heat, moisture, and sunlight.
- Keep wet cat food in a cool, dry, and dark place away from heat, moisture, and sunlight until ready to use.
- Refrigerate or freeze opened cans or pouches of wet cat food within two hours of opening.
- Use wet cat food within three days of opening if refrigerated or within one month if frozen.
- Thaw frozen wet cat food in the refrigerator overnight before feeding it to your cat.
- Do not refreeze thawed wet cat food.
2. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of Cat Food Storage Areas
Another way to keep maggots out of cat food is to clean and maintain the areas where you store it regularly. Some tips include:
- Wipe down any shelves, cabinets, or drawers where you keep dry cat food with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Disinfect any shelves, cabinets, or drawers where you keep dry cat food with a mild bleach solution once a month.
- Rinse any cans or pouches of wet cat food before storing them in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Wipe down any shelves, drawers, or bins where you keep wet cat food with a damp cloth or sponge after each use.
- Disinfect any shelves, drawers, or bins where you keep wet cat food with a mild bleach solution once a week.
- Check for any signs of maggot infestation in your storage areas regularly, such as small holes, webs, or droppings.
3. Choosing High-Quality Cat Food Brands
To avoid maggots in cat food, pick good brands that use fresh ingredients and meet high-quality standards. Some tips are:
- Choose brands with certificates from trusted groups like AAFCO, USDA, or FDA.
- Choose brands that have passed lab tests for safety and nutrition.
- Choose brands that have good feedback from other customers and vets.
- Choose brands that offer money-back or refunds if you don’t like their products.
4. Incorporating Natural Repellents
Another way to keep maggots out of cat food is to incorporate natural repellents that deter flies from laying eggs on it. Some tips include:
- Add some apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or garlic powder to your cat’s water bowl to make it less appealing to flies.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon, cloves, or bay leaves around your storage areas to create an unpleasant smell for flies.
- Plant some basil, lavender, or mint near your storage areas to repel flies with their scent.
- Hang some fly traps or sticky tapes near your storage areas to catch flies before they reach your cat’s food.
