Can Pets Spread Bed Bugs?
Unlike fleas or ticks, bed bugs have little interest in your dogs and cats. Pets very rarely carry or spread bed bugs. However, bed bugs can infest pet bedding easily.
Pets may not spread bed bugs, but will the bugs bite your dog or cat?
- Bed bugs prefer human hosts but can bite dogs, cats, rodents, or even birds.
- Bed bugs won’t live on or in your pet’s fur.
- If your cat or dog is bitten, the bites will look like tiny red bumps on their belly or limbs, typically in areas with less hair.
- If you notice your pet itch, bite, or show discomfort, it’s smart to look for the signs of bed bugs.
Will Bed Bugs Bite My Pets?
Bed bugs prefer humans to animals, and will thus mostly leave your cats and dogs alone. In the rare case your dog or cat starts showing signs of bed bug bites, it’s important to further inspect. Look for shed bed bug exoskeletons near or in their bedding. Look for live signs of bed bugs, as well, often around the seams of bedding or on tags. If you find evidence of bed bug activity near your pets’ belongings or elsewhere, contact a bed bug exterminator.
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Can Dogs Carry Bed Bugs Inside?
Bed bugs are not commonly outdoors in the same manner as fleas and ticks. Except for rare cases, bed bugs cannot even survive outside. If your neighbor has bed bugs, you don’t need to worry about your dog picking them up on your daily walk or in your backyard. Bed bugs spread from one property to another by hitching a ride on purses, suitcases, or more. Therefore, it is unlikely for your cat or dog to carry bed bugs indoors.
Protect Your Pets from Bed Bugs in Northern Utah
During a bed bug infestation, it’s important to check your pets’ bedding for signs of activity. Just as you would with your own bedding, carefully wash the items in a hot washing machine, and drying with heat. This can remove any bed bugs or eggs in your pet’s bedding. In any case, it’s best to get an exterminator to completely remove an infestation. You will likely have to remove your pet from the premises when a professional bed bug exterminator treats your property for bed bugs.
Can Pets Spread Bed Bugs? in Salt Lake County and Northern Utah
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