Comments on: Can cats get high from licking/eating frogs?

Question: Can cats get high from licking/eating frogs?

hazyjane — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 02:12:16 -0800

Can cats get high from eating frogs? My mom just moved to a new house by a fishpond where a family of frogs also lives. Her cat seems to have grown addicted to the frogs - he eats one and then gets lethargic and glassy-eyed and just generally weird. Is this dangerous for him or just harmless fun? Well, not harmless for the frogs, of course.

By: matteo

matteo — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 03:21:46 -0800

some frogs can secrete a toxic substance to protect themselves from predators. house pet / frog encounter are not that rare -- vets know all about it, dogs especially eat lots of frogs. just ask your vet, frog-eating could be toxic in the long run

By: fvw

fvw — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 03:41:37 -0800

I thought that was mainly tropical frogs? The regular temperate zone standard-frog (requests for replacements with form 32.913-b) is fairly non-psychoactive (and non-poisonous) as far as I know, though I'll (happily) admit I've never eaten one.
We have a cat who gets very nauseous and lethargic after eating mice (and eventually throws up in inconvenient places), but still does it a lot if mice are available.

Still, checking with your vet might not be a bad idea. Also, your mother might want to actually keep the frogs in her pond (depends on how much of an effect on their numbers he's having I suppose).

By: NekulturnY

NekulturnY — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 05:19:40 -0800

though I'll (happily) admit I've never eaten one.

You don't know what you miss: take frog legs, add garlic and butter, fry and enjoy. Cuisses de grenouille is one of the best meats available (bit like chicken or quail, but finer).

By: yesster

yesster — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 06:11:21 -0800

Just because they have no effect on humans (presumably) that doesn't mean they won't affect cats in some fashion.

For example, catnip has a psychoactive effect on most cats, but nada for people.

I third the "ask the vet" sentiment.

(But I also tend to think that most animals will figure out what they can and cannot eat safely on their own. Maybe those frogs are really, really tasty and have some trace minerals that is good for the cat?)

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 06:21:12 -0800

...some frogs can secrete a toxic substance to protect themselves from predators.

Like licking a Cane Toad, right? (Scroll down for the fun picture of the kid holding strings of eggs.) Wow, and the Ozzies brought that one on themselves... and some people make boots out of them, maybe as revenge...

By: livii

livii — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 07:19:48 -0800

I think animals sometimes can figure out for themselves what is safe to eat, but not always. After all, cats and dogs will drink antifreeze. They also tend to not be able to associate their actions with being ill, I think. My cat will eat a plant or flowers, and a few hours later, she pukes. But when we're cleaning it up, she's fascinated - she doesn't seem to really realize that it's her mess. And if there's still the same greenery around the next day, she'll eat it again. I don't think they're stupid, per se, but just that they don't make good long-term associations.

In summary, ask ye olde vet if you should be doing anything to keep the cat away from the frogs.

By: aramaic

aramaic — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 08:07:58 -0800

livii: your cat probably has a hairball, and is trying (and apparently failing) to get rid of it.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 08:48:26 -0800

My cat will eat a plant or flowers, and a few hours later, she pukes.

You probably know this, livii, but some plants are poisonous to cats. Here is a list, just in case. Some, like philodendron, are very common house plants.

livii: your cat probably has a hairball, and is trying (and apparently failing) to get rid of it.

You can buy a tube of stuff at the petstore that will lube your cat's tract and help with hairballs. It's usually really sweet stuf so the cat will eat it, so I don't know if it's good for the cat's teeth, but it should be a temporary measure anyway. SOmetimes changing food is good too.

By: gokart4xmas

gokart4xmas — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 09:25:45 -0800

I live in lizard country, and I've heard that cats can actually get addicted to eating lizards...maybe something similar is going on with the frogs.

By: fvw

fvw — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 09:26:12 -0800

As noted, throwing up in cats isn't always bad, and yes, cats generally know what they should and shouldn't eat, as far as biological things go anyway (our cats love water with chrysal (the stuff used to keep cut flowers healthy longer) for some reason). Goats on the other hand...

By: luriete

luriete — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 09:59:17 -0800

If they are Bufo toads, well, there's your answer: Bufotenine.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 10:36:47 -0800

one of the most entertaining movies I've ever had to watch in class (I've actually seen it in two classes now) is Cane Toads: an Unnatural History. My favorite part is watching drivers swerve wildly across the road in order to hit toads.

By: batgrlHG

batgrlHG — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 19:16:38 -0800

Cane Toads: an Unnatural History - the part where the toad eats the mouse - aaaaaaaa!!!!! So horrifying but you can't look away!
It is definitely something worth watching!