My puppy eats bugs outside. Is this safe, especially without shots?

Most dogs like to eat bugs, grass, and other items they shouldn't. Keeping an eye on Molly and stopping her from eating anything potentially harmful is a good idea. It would be hard to say if the bugs are safe to eat or not without knowing what bugs she is eating.

Yes, many dogs do this :) I would try to discourage her from trying to eat bees or other stinging insects as they may sting her nose or mouth, but otherwise ingesting insects rarely causes any problems in my experience.

The main insect to be concerned about would be a venomous spider like a black widow or brown recluse. Bites from these spiders can cause large wounds and tissue necrosis and can be very complicated to treat. Other insect bites will be a nuisance but should not cause any major problems. Additionally, if your cat eats the bugs, the only symptoms you may see are those related to GI upset. These symptoms would include drooling excessively, inappetance, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Or you may not notice any symptoms at all. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

It won't hurt Rocky if he eats any flies, they aren't toxic to dogs :-) I would be worried about bees, however, as the will sting the inside of his mouth and cause toxic reactions. I hope this helps!

I would definitely try to discourage this type of behavior if possible. While they not likely to cause severe illness or death in dogs, they can still cause problems particularly if the bugs were spending any time near pesticides. I have read about instances of dogs consuming a few of these and ending up in the hospital and then also read about others who have eaten dozens with little to no reaction. As a result, a "better safe than sorry" attitude should probably be taken.

Most bugs will not harm a dog if eaten. In general, the more colorful a bug is, the more toxic it may be. Rinse his mouth thoroughly with cool water for at least 15 minutes. Monitor for lethargy, drooling, swelling or pawing at the mouth. See your veterinarian if any of these symptoms develop.

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Regular earthworms and most insects are not harmful for your pet to ingest. Also as a quick reference you can visit Aspca pet poison control website for a complete list of toxic plants/foods your pet shouldn’t ingest. Otherwise Lucky should be just fine. Best wishes and take care.