House centipedes are not dangerous to cats. These fast-moving insects are a common sight in basements and bathrooms, and while they do carry a mild venom they use to subdue prey like spiders and ants, it’s far too weak to harm a cat. Whether your cat gets bitten while swatting at one or swallows it whole, the risk of serious injury is extremely low.
What Happens if a Cat Gets Bitten
House centipedes have small fangs (technically called forcipules) that they use to inject venom into tiny insects. On a cat, those fangs may not even penetrate the skin through fur. If they do manage to sting, the venom is not potent enough to cause systemic harm. At most, your cat might experience a brief, localized sting similar to what a human would feel from a minor insect bite: slight redness, maybe a small welt at the site.
Cats that get stung on the paw or nose while batting at a centipede may lick the area for a few minutes. This is normal and typically resolves on its own. You’d only need to be concerned if the area swells significantly or your cat shows signs of an allergic reaction, which is rare.
What Happens if a Cat Eats One
Cats are natural hunters, and a house centipede skittering across the floor is basically an irresistible toy. Eating one is generally harmless. In one case documented by Poison Control, a cat ate a dead house centipede and showed no symptoms at all. The exoskeleton and venom of a house centipede simply aren’t substantial enough to cause gastrointestinal problems in an animal the size of a cat.
Some cats may gag briefly or vomit after eating a centipede, but this is usually a mechanical response to the legs and body texture rather than a sign of toxicity. If your cat vomits once and then acts completely normal, there’s no cause for alarm. Repeated vomiting or lethargy after eating any insect warrants a call to your vet, but this would be unusual with a house centipede specifically.
House Centipedes vs. Larger Centipede Species
It’s worth distinguishing the common house centipede from larger outdoor species. House centipedes are the pale, leggy ones (usually 1 to 1.5 inches long) that you find indoors. They’re fragile and their venom is designed for insects much smaller than a cat. Larger centipedes found outdoors in warm climates, some reaching 6 inches or more, carry significantly stronger venom and can deliver a painful sting. If you live in an area with large outdoor centipedes and your cat has outdoor access, those species deserve more caution. But the common indoor house centipede is not a meaningful threat.
Managing Centipedes in a Cat-Friendly Home
If house centipedes bother you, resist the urge to reach for chemical pesticides, especially in a home with cats. Cats groom constantly and walk on treated surfaces, making them particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Ironically, the pesticide you’d use to kill a harmless centipede poses a far greater risk to your cat than the centipede itself.
The simplest removal method is to cover the centipede with a glass, slide a piece of cardboard underneath, and release it outside. For longer-term prevention, a dehumidifier is your best tool. House centipedes need moisture to survive, and a dry home makes them move on. Sealing cracks around foundations, windows, and pipes also cuts off their entry points.
House centipedes actually eat other pests you’d rather not have around, including spiders, cockroach nymphs, silverfish, and ants. Researchers at the University of Georgia describe them as genuine allies in home pest control. If you can tolerate their appearance, leaving them alone benefits your household and poses no risk to your cat.