Cats eating ants

[NicJennings]

Can anyone tell me why my cats are eating ants straight out of a nest in my garden? Is there some kind of dietary deficiency or do they just like the taste? Never seen anything like this before. They are only going to one nest (there must be loads in the garden) and the ants are small and black.
Nic

[2bratcats]

My cat just ate a huge carpenter ant. I tried to get it out but he wont let me help. He is constantly rubbing the side of his mouth with his paw. I think he may got stung

[AnnieBrooke]

It's possible. Once my cat came in with a face so swollen that he looked like he had muttonchop sideburns. Keep an eye on the cat and if there is swelling, call your vet. But it's not likely to be something the cat needs vet care for.

[Piparskeggr]

With a Carpenter Ant, it is a bite as they do not have stingers. However, those jaws that are made to chew wood likely gave kitty a chomp.

[lindasp62]

I wouldn't worry about it unless they are fire ants!!

[mags59]

Cats need lots of protein and ants have lots of protein!

[MJIthewriter]

I guess your cats found a tasty snack... Slightly acidic, I guess... Many ants use formic acid as a defense...  I would think it would taste terrible, but then again, I don't know...  I guess as long as they don't wage war against the cats, then things should be fine.

If they were one of the larger formica ants that create mounds... your cats may find themselves in a different situation. Those guys can really get mad. They can and will climb all over anything they perceive as a threat. How do I know?  I used to dig up nests as a kid. 'nuff said...lol.

[marissposa]

that is so bizarre and adorable.  Thanks for the interesting story

[NicJennings]

The ants are smallish and black, they certainly aren't large - I have loads of huge ants nesting in the garden too. I still haven't seen any other nests causing interest. I sat with my young tomcat yesterday afternoon as he lay on his belly, his front paws on either side of the nest and patiently licked up whatever he could. Then his mum came along and she took a turn. The nest isn't one of the obvious ones either. If the cats hadn't been licking at the ground there, which drew my attention, I would never have even known there was anything there.
I have just taken a short break to go out and observe the nest again. I couldn't see it today but then mother cat came along and found another just over from the old spot and she, tom cat and her sister all came and licked up some more ants. A slight break in the proceedings was caused by my horses coming over to investigate the excitement but they soon decided that they weren't interested so the felines got back down to it.

[Savas]

Are you sure your kitty isn't...an anteater? :)

Cat will eat bugs just as easily as other critters. Unless kitty shows symptoms, I wouldn't worry. Just watch those kitty ant tasting kisses!

[MJIthewriter]

What kind of ants are they? They aren't a stinging kind, hopefully? I'm guessing they must be pretty big.

I think the cats will be okay if they don't eat a lot of them, but my concern is if they get bit or stung by an angry mob... The ants likely won't enjoy something standing over their home and grabbing random nestmates, lol.

It may or may not hurt the cats, but you may have to watch out for unwanted hitch-hikers in your house if they start to commit war against your cats and get caught in their fur.

[suzi-q]

No idea!  But curious as to an answer!