Menu
Can Pets Spread Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs will bite your cat or dog, and they will hide in your pet’s bedding or crate, but they don’t live on your pets. They’re not like fleas or ticks where they will hide in pet fur and leap onto new hosts – in fact, bed bugs can’t jump or fly at all.
Here are a few more basic facts to know about bed bugs and pets:
- Although bed bugs prefer human hosts, they can and will bite dogs, cats, rodents, and even birds
- Even if they bite a cat or dog, bed bugs will not live on or in your pet’s fur. They will return to their hiding place once done feeding
- If your pet 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
Are bed bugs dangerous for my pets?
Bed bugs aren’t very dangerous to your pet. They generally prefer to bite humans, and if they do bite your cat or dog, the symptoms will probably be no worse than itchy red bumps on the skin. If the bites get raw or bloody or turn infected, you should take your pet to the vet.
Do You Have a Bed Bug Problem? We Can Help.
Click the button below to leave your information & we'll be in touch in an hour or less.
Can dogs bring bed bugs inside?
Bed bugs are not like fleas or ticks. They don’t live outside. So it would be extremely unusual for your dog to bring bed bugs in from the outdoors. Bed bugs spread from one property to another by hitching a ride on purses, suitcases, clothing, used furniture, and more – items and objects that are used by humans.
How to protect your pets from bed bugs on Long Island
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation in your home, you should check your pet’s bed, blankets, and crate. Wash the items in your washing machine on the highest heat setting – just as you would with your own bedding – and dry it for about 90 minutes. This will kill any bed bugs that were hiding in there.
But it won’t eliminate the entire bed bug infestation. To do that, you’ll want to hire a professional pest control company. An experienced bed bug exterminator will know exactly where to look, and exactly what to do to get rid of all of them, and then they can share some additional tips to ensure they don’t come back.
