# Researchers Investigate Cats' Insect-Eating Habits

Studies explore the role of insects in feline diets.

- **Source:** [Scientific American Content: Global](https://brifing.si/source/4f066134-e06d-4415-87ef-305e3dc2aba6)
- **Published:** 2026-07-12
- **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai)
- **Original article:** <https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-it-a-problem-for-cats-to-eat-insects-researchers-are-probing-feline-diets-to-find-out/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9fa3d89d-1170-4373-9d2b-b82a129c6cbc

## Cats' Diets

It's known that free-ranging cats eat birds and small rodents, but their insect consumption is surprisingly high. Biologists are trying to understand what cats eat in the wild.

## Cats as Invasive Species

Domestic cats become invasive species when living freely in the wild. They are found in every ecosystem except Antarctica, and the species they consume are being studied.

## Research Methods

Biologists analyzed 533 studies published over the past century and found that cats eat nearly 2,100 different animal species. Of these, 347 are threatened.

## Insect Consumption

At least 7% of cats' diet consists of insects and other invertebrates. Insects are an important source of protein for cats.

## Threatened Species

Among the insects cats consume are endangered species like the Aldabran grasshopper in Seychelles and the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish.

## Environmental Impacts

Cats' insect consumption could pose a significant threat, especially to rare species. Molecular technologies are helping to study cats' diets in more detail.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-it-a-problem-for-cats-to-eat-insects-researchers-are-probing-feline-diets-to-find-out/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._