Why Bugs Stink

This may not be a question you’ve contemplated – lately; however, I want to explain what I now know.

Bugs stink and they also taste bitter so they will not be eaten by dogs!  Who knew!  Now you do.  I was observing as my dog (who will down a bird or lizard in record time), was paying close attention to something on the floor.  The object of her attention was so small I almost didn’t see it.

She would bend down, sniff, attempt to lick, and then re-coil and wince as if the scent and taste of the bug was horribly bitter.  It wasn’t biting her, it didn’t stand a chance at that, but it was definitely designed to be uneatable to a dog.  This particular insect didn’t know enough to be still.  It’s motion was far too intriguing.

I could have intervened with a “leave it.” but this had become a science project and study worthy of animal planet.

I can’t answer why it is necessary for an insect’s taste or scent to be so repulsive to a dog since they aren’t a natural predator.  It would have lived a much longer life if a human hadn’t intervened.

I didn’t run a taste test, but my guess is this bug would have tasted quite nice to the cat!