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Do Cats Eat Frogs?

Cats are well-known for their curiosity, and they are generally quite fascinated by small creatures that hop or crawl around. Frogs and cats are quite common in many regions, including some homeowners’ backyards, which has led amphibian enthusiasts and feline lovers to wonder if cats consume frogs. 

Domestic cats do not generally consume frogs intentionally, but cats may still eat frogs if they are starving or during play. Cats are more likely to play with frogs out of curiosity and are perceived as predators to frogs. Interaction can be harmful to the cat and the frog.

Although cats are less likely to stalk and devour frogs intentionally, cats and frogs should still be protected through preventative measures. Cats are predatory animals, and they often try to stalk and catch anything that crawls, flies, or hops. Many cats are far more curious than aggressive, and they may attempt to play with frogs out of curiosity. But, some cats will see frogs as a treat if they are starving.

How To Avoid Cats Eating Frogs

Cats are natural predators to frogs and may attack them to eat if they are starving, or for play if well fed. To avoid cats eating frogs, play with your cat and tire it out around the time where it likes to play with frogs, then feed it. The cat will be tired, fed, and will let the frogs be.

Frogs and cats can live in harmony on your property. I am going to focus on the cats because they are the ones (naturally) hunting the frogs. If the cats on your land are not starving, than they are probably going after frogs for play. If they are well-fed, this behaviour is part of the very natural “hunt, catch and kill” instinct, especially if they are feral.

If your pet cat or stray cats are attacking frogs in your yard, here are some questions to consider:

  • Is your cat or the stray cat starving? When was the last time it ate?
  • Does the cat play with frogs at any time of day? Or only at night?
  • Do the cats get enough active play to have no energy to want to hunt the frogs?
  • When do you usually feed your cat?

Here are steps to take to avoid your cat eating frogs:

  1. Find out what time of day the cats generally like to hunt the frogs
  2. Play with the cat(s) that like(s) to hunt the frogs before that moment of the day
  3. Feed the cats once play time is over

I really think this video by Jackson Galaxy can be super helpful for those who want to know how to put this into practice, be sure to watch the video below:

The Natural Way To Play with your Cat: Prey = Play

Cats have to put in a lot of effort to catch tree frogs and aquatic frogs. So if they just played and ate, there are less chances the cats will try to attack them. You can also try to keep your cats indoors when the frogs are active as a way to protect your pet from potential sickness while allowing frogs to live in peace, especially if you have toads in your yard.

While it can be easy to focus on the potential risks for your beloved feline, the risks are far worse for the frogs overall. Frogs rarely survive a cat attack, even if the intentions are playful and curious. They can escape in many cases and may manage to avoid injury, but their vulnerability should also be noted. 

What Happens If Your Cat Eats a Frog

While cats eating frogs can be mostly harmless for wild cats, the consumption of frogs can cause illness or dearth in pet cats. Frogs may cary viral or bacterial diseases, and toads are poisonous and may kill cats if consumed.

Cats do not respond well to sudden diet changes on a broad scale, including changes in commercial pet food brands. As a result, suddenly consuming something so exotic and different from their everyday diet will certainly cause trouble. The cat’s system will typically reject the frog as a food source. Cats will likely vomit soon after the frog has been consumed, as the frog will not be easy to digest once inside the body.

Cats may die if they consume poisonous toads (CTNF). Some tree frog species are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or side effects as well. Their toxins are intended for defensive purposes, protecting them from threats whether hungry predators or curious cats. Therefore, be sure to consult a vet quickly if your pet cat interacts with or consumes any frogs.

Taking the cat to the vet soon after the incident may be the best option, especially if you are unsure if the frog species is toxic. Professionals can give insight into the specific case and help create a treatment plan. Be sure to describe the frog that the cat consumed, or bring a contained specimen if the frogs are abundant in the area. 

More About Wild Frogs And Pets

Since neither the cat nor the frog would benefit from interactions in the long term, it is best to help your beloved feline and surrounding frog friends stay safe and happy by keeping them apart. Learn more about frogs and their interactions with pets on our blog:

Daniella Master Herpetologist

Daniella is a Master Herpetologist and the founder of toadsnfrogs.com, a website dedicated to educating the general population on frogs by meeting them where they are in their online Google Search. Daniella is passionate about frogs and put her digital marketing skills and teaching experience to good use by creating these helpful resources to encourage better education, understanding, and care for frogs.