Do cicadas pose a threat to your dog?

JACKSON, Tenn. — Two types of cicadas are making their return together for the first time in 200 years, according to CNN. They are mostly known for their loud screams, shells left behind and their size — but could they pose a threat to pets?

“Cicadas are completely nontoxic,” said veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter. “So, you know, if a dog decides that they’re going to eat some of them, it’s not really bad for the dog, per se. You know, anything unusual that a dog can potentially eat causes some tummy upset, vomiting, diarrhea, that sort of thing. But in the big thing picture sense, they’re absolutely not dangerous at all.”

Richter shared something a little surprising, to show just how nontoxic they are.

“Again they’re totally nontoxic, in fact, [you] may have seen that there are literally restaurants that are putting these things on menus for people,” Dr. Richter said.

And according to cookoutnews.com, a grilling and BBQ site, Tennessee actually ranked #1 for states most interested in cooking and eating cicadas.

If your pet typically gets anxious with new things or interactions, Dr. Richter continued with some advice for your furry companion.

“Cicadas can be quite loud. So it’s not inconceivable that a dog may be maybe troubled by that,” he said. “Then if it’s really severe, that’s a good time for somebody to call their veterinarian and see if they you know, their veterinarian can offer any guidance in that sense. But generally speaking, from what I’ve seen, most dogs seem like they’re doing just fine.”

Dr. Richter also suggested watching out for pesticides that may be put out to kill the cicadas.

As cicadas do not have a long life span, we can expect about six weeks of the insects, according to CNN.

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