Crickets are widespread insects globally, thriving as generalist omnivores due to their adaptable digestive system. Their flexible diet includes both plant matter and other organisms, which is a primary reason for their survival success. This broad dietary range is especially important when crickets are raised in captivity as a food source for pets.
The Cricket’s Natural Omnivorous Diet
In their natural habitats, crickets are active scavengers and opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide array of readily available organic materials. Their plant-based diet typically consists of tender shoots, grasses, seeds, flowers, and fallen fruits, which provide carbohydrates and fiber. They also consume decaying organic matter like rotting leaves, fungi, and soft, decomposing wood.
Protein is obtained through animal matter, which serves as a source of concentrated nutrients. This includes feeding on insect larvae, aphids, and the carrion of dead insects or small organisms. This consumption of both plant and animal material confirms their omnivorous classification. Crickets adapt their foraging habits based on food availability, often consuming a higher proportion of animal matter when plant resources are scarce.
Feeding Crickets in Captivity (Gut Loading)
When crickets are kept in captivity as feeder insects, their diet focuses on a process called gut loading. This involves feeding the crickets highly nutritious foods for 24 to 48 hours before they are offered to the pet. The purpose is to transfer concentrated nutrients directly to the predator, significantly enhancing the nutritional value of the meal.
This specialized diet must be rich in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, which is often deficient in the cricket’s body. Commercial cricket chow is the common base, supplemented with fresh, nutrient-dense vegetables. Examples include sweet potato, squash, and dark leafy greens such as collard or mustard greens. Hydration is safely provided using water gels, which allow the crickets to drink without the risk of drowning associated with open water dishes.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods should be avoided when feeding crickets due to potential toxicity or poor nutritional transfer to the pet. Foods with high water content and low nutrient density, like iceberg lettuce, offer little value. High-acid fruits should also be used sparingly, as they can disrupt the insects’ digestive balance.
Pet owners should avoid processed protein sources intended for mammals, such as dry dog or cat food. Although high in protein, these foods contain excessive fat and vitamins that can accumulate in the cricket. This accumulation may potentially lead to health issues, such as gout, in the predatory animal over time. Furthermore, vegetables high in oxalates, such as spinach, should be excluded because oxalates bind to calcium, preventing its absorption by the pet.