Are Stink Bugs Harmful to Pets?

In the past several years, homeowners have been impacted by an invasive insect species known as the brown marmorated stink bug. While this insect has become a major nuisance in the spring and fall, their presence also effects dogs and cats that are very likely to bite and swallow stink bugs that they see flying or crawling around the exterior or interior of a home.

However, there does not seem to be serious, long-term health effects from a pet eating or chewing on a stink bug. According to Dr. Franklin, a veterinarian at the Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Hospital, stink bugs aren’t poisonous, but the smelly secretions from stink bugs will irritate the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and cats. This irritation may produce symptoms of vomiting and/or excessive drooling by dogs and cats. Other reported irritation from stink bug secretions is irritation of the tongue, gums, lips and inside of a pet’s cheek.