Cicadas, Climate, and Canine Curiosity: What This Year’s Swarm Means for Vets
Grab your otoscopes and your bug spray, folks – 2025 is giving us a double brood of cicadas, and the dogs are very excited about it.
Two different broods of cicadas are expected to emerge simultaneously this year, covering much of the Midwest and South in a crunchy carpet of insect protein. While entomologists are thrilled, pet parents (and their local veterinary clinics) are left scratching their heads – and possibly dodging vomiting dogs.
What’s the Big Buzz?
Literally? It’s about 90 decibels (the average decibel level for a rock concert is 90-120 decibels). But biologically speaking, cicadas are harmless, fascinating, and…absolutely irresistible to curious canines and opportunistic omnivores. The double brood emergence is a rare phenomenon and an exciting ecological event, but it brings some unintended consequences for pets.
Dogs and Cicada Snacks: A Gastroenteritis Delight
While cicadas aren’t toxic, they’re essentially nature’s crunchy tacos – high in chitin and fiber but hard to digest in bulk. Cue the flood of calls from dog owners reporting vomiting, diarrhea, or that their Labrador has developed an addiction to backyard “barkuterie.”
What to tell Clients:
- Cicadas are safe in small amounts, but not a dietary staple.
- Monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.
- Try distracting your dog with actual food (radical, I know).
- Don’t panic – just call the vet’s office (that’s you!).
What Vets Need to Watch For:
- GI Upsets: Most common, self-limiting, but can escalate.
- Obstructions: Less common, but worth a radiograph if ingestion was excessive.
- Allergic Reactions: Rare, but a possibility, especially in sensitive dogs.
- Insecticide Exposure: Some homeowners go pesticide-happy – check for toxicosis signs if ingestion history is unclear.
A Teachable Moment
Turn this into an opportunity! This is a great time for clinics to educate clients about safe outdoor behavior, the importance of monitoring what pets eat, and maybe slip in a gentle reminder about flea/tick prevention.
Also, if anyone on staff has entomophobia (fear of insects)…maybe they work inside for the next few weeks.
Final Thoughts
We spend so much time dealing with emergencies, burnout, and the unglamorous reality of veterinary medicine that it’s easy to forget we’re living in a world full of weird and wonderful biology. Double cicada broods are a reminder that nature doesn’t do boring – and neither do we.
Stay safe, stay curious, and for the love of all that is holy, tell your clients not to make cicada jerky. Yes, that’s a real thing…unfortunately.
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