Stink bugs are not venomous or poisonous and they don’t sting. If a dog or cat eats one, it will taste very bad and may cause them to drool or vomit, but that will resolve on its own. In some rare cases, a bug can become lodged in your pet’s mouth or throat.
With a name like “stink bug,” you no doubt don’t want these pests in your home. But luckily, they’re generally not dangerous to people, pets, or property. Still, you don’t want them around.
Stink bugs do not have venom and they don’t sting or bite. Their mouths are basically just straws used to pierce plant tissue. They don’t transmit disease. They’re not toxic in the way most people use that word. Pets that swallow stink bugs have not been poisoned.
They are, however, annoying. They have defensive compounds that produce the smell that gives them their name when startled or crushed. They also taste bitter and irritating. Any pet unlucky enough to eat one will find that out, and it’s enough to cause them to drool, gag, paw at their mouth, back away looking betrayed, and maybe vomit once. A few will have a stomachache for a few hours. These all resolve without treatment.
The one true edge case to watch out for is if a dog or cat eats a bunch of stink bugs quickly and gets one stuck against the roof of their mouth or in their throat. This can cause persistent drooling, pawing, gagging, or retching. That warrants a look inside the pet’s mouth and a call to the vet if these unsettling signs continue. Again: this is an edge case.
If you have stink bug trouble, one thing you can do is vacuum them up and empty the canister outside. You can also help prevent an infestation next year by sealing up the gaps they use to get into your home where they overwinter.
If you are tired of finding stink bugs in your home, Mosquito Squad of Chicago can help. Mosquito Squad's home and yard coverage treats the perimeter where overwintering pests get in, helping protect your home and the pets in it.
