Can Cats Eat Scorpions? Vet-Approved Safety Guide

Vet approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca

BVSc GPCert (Ophthal) MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Scorpions are a common sight in many parts of the world and can be found in a variety of climates and environments. With their widespread habitat, it’s highly likely that your cat is bound to come across a scorpion at some stage, and just as likely that your cat will be interested in interacting with the scorpion too! Cats are exceedingly curious animals, and a scorpion — or any other small arachnid or insect for that matter — is bound to pique their curiosity.

But are scorpions dangerous to cats? Can cats eat scorpions? The answer is that it depends on the type of scorpion your cat had contact with since there are many different scorpions out there with varying types of venom, with not all of them being poisonous. The general advice for cats that get stung by a scorpion is to go to the vet immediately for assessment and possible treatment. Cats have been known to hunt scorpions with no consequences. However, you should always monitor them for a few hours if you see them ingesting one.

If you live in an area where there are a lot of scorpions around, it helps to be able to identify the different species and know what to do when your cat hunts or gets stung by one.

Can Cats Safely Eat Scorpions?

There isn’t much information on the safety of cats eating scorpions, but there are very few documented cases of cats having developed clinical signs after contact with a scorpion. In general, it’s thought that cats can and will eat a scorpion if they get the chance, but this certainly doesn’t mean they should! If your cat eats a scorpion without getting stung, there’s probably nothing to be concerned about.

Cats are nimble and proficient hunters and can usually handle a scorpion well enough without getting stung. Also, they are agile animals and have thick fur that can be difficult for a scorpion sting to penetrate. Luckily, the vast majority of scorpions your cat is likely to encounter are not severely poisonous, and even if they get stung, mild pain is all there is to be concerned about.

There are roughly 2,000 scorpion species worldwide, and only 20 or 30 of them have a strong enough poison to kill a human. Even if you get stung by one of these dangerous varieties, death is very rare, and antivenins are typically readily available in areas where these varieties are found.

Can a Scorpion Kill a Cat?

Again, this depends on the species of scorpion your cat comes into contact with. Of the approximately 2,000 species of scorpions in existence, only about 100 are found in the United States and are mostly located in the Southwest areas like Arizona and California. Of these, only one species is deadly to humans, the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda, formerly Centruroides sculpturatus).

These scorpions pose a real threat to cats, and while deaths from these scorpions are exceedingly rare, they are possible. Also, even if the sting doesn’t kill your cat, they will still inflict a great deal of pain for your kitty, and a vet visit is absolutely necessary.

Most of the time, though, your cat will scare the scorpion enough that it runs away and hides, as scorpions are far more likely to flee than sting. Even if the scorpion goes into defense mode, they are far more likely to defend themselves with their pincers that use their stinger, which may be slightly painful for your cat but won’t harm them and will hopefully be enough to scare them off before they get stung!

Are Cats Immune to Scorpion Stings?

There is a persistent rumor that cats are impervious to scorpion stings, but this is simply not true. The rumor likely came about simply because cats are so adept at not getting stung, and because scorpions will only usually sting as a last resort. A cat’s fur acts as a natural barrier to a scorpion’s stinger, the hair stops the typically small stinger from reaching a cat’s skin, and cats are far less likely to accidentally stand on a scorpion — a common reason for humans getting stung.

Signs of a Scorpion Sting in Cats

Cats are very good at hiding pain and may even hide from you after being stung by a scorpion. Typically, scorpion stings cause pain and itching at the site of sting

If you suspect your cat may have been stung by a scorpion or they display any of the above signs, it’s best to take them to a vet right away. If you can find the scorpion, get a photo of it, and if you can do so safely, bring it to the vet for identification so that they can treat your cat accordingly. Treatment will consist of pain relief, neurological and cardiovascular support, medication if allergic reactions to venom develop, and careful monitoring of the skin at the sting site. With the right care, your cat should recover promptly. Hopefully, the experience will be enough for them to leave scorpions alone in the future!

Final Thoughts

There are only a few areas in the US where there is a high concentration of scorpions, but if you live in one of these areas — Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado — your cat is likely to come across one at some point. In general, eating a scorpion will not cause any harm to your cat, and even getting stung is unlikely and only mildly painful in most cases.

See also:

• Dog Stung by a Scorpion? Here’s What to Do!
• Why Is Your Cat’s Paw Swollen? 6 Vet Reviewed Reasons

Featured Image Credit: Sharath G., Pexels