Cats are cute and adorable pets. Many people like cats because of their spoiled and cute behavior. However, cats also have a predatory nature which makes them like to hunt small prey such as mice, birds or lizards. Have you ever seen a cat eat a lizard? Do you know what impact it has on cat health?
Lizards are reptiles that live in tropical and subtropical areas. Lizards have scaly skin, a tail that can break off, and the ability to climb walls with claws or suction. Lizards usually eat insects such as mosquitoes, flies or cockroaches. Lizards are also nocturnal animals that are active at night.
Reasons why cats eat lizards can be dangerous
Cats may be attracted to chasing and eating lizards because their movements and sounds attract attention. Cats may also view lizards as toys or snacks. However, eating lizards can be dangerous for cats for the following reasons:
Lizards can carry parasites, bacteria or viruses
Lizards can cause infection or disease in cats. Some examples of diseases that can be transmitted by lizards are salmonellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, or rabies.
Lizards can cause poisoning
Because lizards contain poison or dangerous chemicals. Some types of lizards, such as the gecko lizard or poisonous tail lizard, have poison glands in their necks or tails that can cause irritation, swelling, or sores in a cat's mouth or throat. Some types of lizards can also secrete a foul-smelling fluid from their cloaca as a defense mechanism which can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in cats.
Lizards can cause blockage of the digestive tract
Lizards have bones, scales or tails that are difficult to digest. This can cause abdominal pain, constipation, or intestinal obstruction in cats. If not treated immediately, this can lead to serious complications such as peritonitis or intestinal perforation.
If you see a cat eating a lizard, you should immediately take it to the vet for proper examination and treatment. The veterinarian may prescribe anti-parasitic, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory or anti-venom medication depending on the cat's condition. The veterinarian may also perform surgery if there is a blockage in the cat's digestive tract.
Things that can prevent cats from eating lizards
To prevent cats from eating lizards, there are several things you can do, including:
Keeping the house clean
Cleaning the house regularly will reduce the number of lizards roaming around in the house. We can use a broom, mop, or vacuum cleaner to clean dust, dirt, or food residue that can attract lizards. We can also use insect repellent or natural pesticides to repel lizards from the house.
Provide sufficient and nutritious food for cats
Cats that are hungry or malnourished tend to be more aggressive and want to try new foods, including lizards. We must provide food that suits the cat's needs, such as dry, wet or raw food. We also have to pay attention to the dosage and feeding schedule so that the cat does not over- or under-eat.
Provide interesting toys or activities for cats
Cats who are bored or stressed can do undesirable things, such as eating lizards. We must provide toys that suit the cat's characteristics, such as balls, toy mice, or laser pointers. We can also play with cats or invite them to exercise to keep them active and happy.
Supervise cats when they are outside the house
If we let cats leave the house without supervision, they can meet lizards or other potentially dangerous animals. We must ensure that the environment around the house is safe and clean from wild animals. We can also give the cat a bell collar or identification tag so it can be easily found if it gets lost.
Teach cats not to eat lizards
We can use positive or negative methods to train cats not to eat lizards. A positive method is to give cats a treat or praise if they do not eat the lizard. The negative method is to punish or reprimand cats if they eat lizards. The punishment in question is not physical violence, but can include loud noises, water spray, or ignoring the cat.
Eating lizards can have a bad impact on a cat's health. Therefore, as a responsible owner, you must ensure that your cat does not eat lizards and provide good care if something undesirable happens. Hopefully this article is useful and makes cats healthier and happier.
