If there is one creature we hate roaming around the house, that would be the cockroach. Seeing one skittering across your counter, sink or floor automatically sends you running for a broom, shoe or a can of insect repellent.
Not only are these pests a major eyesore but they can contaminate your food, transmit dangerous bacteria, give off unpleasant odors and in extreme cases, they bite. The worst of all is that they are very hard to eradicate.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about roaches and cats and few tips to help keep cockroaches away.
Do Cat Litter Boxes Attract Roaches?
Although cats are frisky preying on cockroaches, the small pests could infest their cat litter. Roaches are generally attracted to anything dirty. Cat litter boxes do not attract cockroaches as such. It is the dirty cat litter and some types of litter itself that attracts roaches to the litter box.
The type of litter that you are using is a factor for roaches being attracted. One type is the biodegradable cat litter. Biodegradable cat litter may be made from recycled paper products or plant-derived materials such as pine, wheat, corn, beet pulp, and soybean. Because of what they are made of, this type of litter could provide a source of food for cockroaches.
It is best to choose a type of cat litter that will not attract roaches. Essentially, cat litters fall into three distinct categories: biodegradable, clay-based and silica-based with the last two being the best ones to avoid attracting roaches or other bugs.
Clay-Based Cat Litter
This one is the oldest type of commercial cat litter. What’s good with this one is it’s widely available.
Recommended product: Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Cat Litter
Silica-Based Cat Litter
This one is formed from a silica gel. It is absorbent and provides odor control. It tends to produce less dust than clay litters. Recommended product: Vibrant Life Cat Litter Mini Silica Gel Crystals.
Whatever litter you have chosen, it is important to keep it clean. With a spotless litter box, not only will you keep the roaches away, you make your purring friend happy, too.
What are cockroaches most attracted to?
Cockroaches are omnivore scavengers which means they will consume more or less any food available to them – whether it’s plant or meat based. They are some of the least picky eaters in the animal kingdom, although they have a preference in sweets, meats and starches. They consume also items such as hair, books and decaying matter. Rotting food gives off a pungent smell that definitely attracts these little pests.
Do cats eliminate roach infestation?
It is not unusual to see a cat playing with its freshly-caught roach. Cats are hunters and humans have used cats as a form of pest control for centuries. Even today farmers use cats to catch mice, bugs and other small pests.
Are cockroaches safe for cats?
It is completely harmless for a cat to both kill and eat a cockroach. While there are certain insects and bugs that are considered toxic for cats to eat, roaches are not one of them.
There is no benefit for a cat to eat a cockroach aside from the fact they are very high in protein. The only benefit of having pests in your house is to make your cat exercise and entertained as they can chase them for hours.
On the other hand, it is also possible for cats to gag and vomit after eating a roach. While it may look poisoned, the chance is low. The following can be the reasons for the gagging:
There’s a lodged piece. If your cat coughs before throwing up, the pieces of the cockroach have been lodged in its throat. It’s harder for cats to break down a roach’s thick exoskeleton. Coughing is more dangerous than throwing up as the cat may have breathing issues. If the cat is coughing due to the pieces, it is best to call the vet and get assistance.
Your cat is having gastrointestinal problems. Some cats experience this issue from eating insects.
Your cat may have eaten too much on that day. Cats sometimes eat too fast and it could cause regurgitation, which is basically the casting up of incompletely digested food.
Final Thoughts
Roaches will consume anything available to them including your cat’s dirty litter. Dirty cat litter creates a strong smell that is very attractive for roaches. The best way to keep roaches away is to keep the litter clean and to use clay or silica based litter.