Here’s the breakdown of how bedbugs interact with dogs and what to do about it:
Can dogs get bedbugs?
- Humans are the Primary Target: Bedbugs strongly prefer human blood.
- Dogs Can Be Bitten: While less likely, bedbugs may bite your dog if they can’t access a human or if an infestation is severe.
- Unlikely Carriers: Bedbugs don’t live on dogs the way fleas do. Their bodies aren’t designed to cling to fur, so they’re unlikely to hitch a ride into your home.
What to Do if Your Dog Might Have Bedbugs:
- Bedbug Bites on Dogs: While not dangerous, bites might cause red spots or blisters.
- Focus on Home Treatment: The real problem is the infestation in your home. Thorough cleaning, and possibly professional pest control, are needed.
- Protect Your Pet During Treatment: Chemicals can be harmful to pets. Follow product instructions carefully, and consult your vet if your pet shows any adverse reactions.
Prevention
- Vigilance is Key: While dogs don’t bring bedbugs in, early detection is crucial, especially in high-traffic homes.
- Frequent Vacuuming: Removes any bugs or eggs that might be present.
- Mattress Protection: A good mattress encasement helps prevent infestations.
- Wash Pet Bedding Regularly: Hot water and high-heat drying kills bedbugs.
Key Takeaways
- Bedbugs primarily target humans, but can bite your dog in extreme cases.
- Don’t blame your dog for a bedbug infestation.
- Treating the home, not your dog, is the solution.
- Take precautions to protect your pet from harsh pest control chemicals.
Can A Dog Get Bed Bugs?
The number one food source for bed bugs is blood. This is the reason why its body is brown or red in color.
Inactive during the day, it is generally at night that they go to bed of individuals to have their meals. A crawling insect, it has very few means of defense (it is relatively slow and does not fly).
It is therefore towards a sleeping human body that it will be easier to act. But what about domestic animals such as dogs, cats, or rodents? Well, bedbugs can also come and bite your pets.
Although this is possible, they are not the first victims of the pest. Bedbugs have a particular attraction to human blood and it is therefore that they will head towards it as a priority.
At the same time, as we have just stated, its defense capabilities make it particularly vulnerable. Unlike a mosquito or a flea, it cannot fly and move from body to body. Coming to have a meal therefore represents a real expedition for the insect which must sneak up and climb on its victim.
The hair of cats and dogs represents an additional obstacle for the bedbug. In short, the chances are slim, but it is still possible to find bedbugs on your pets. We can say that it is towards them that they will tend to fall back if they cannot find something to eat, a bit like a plan B.
If you find bedbugs on your loved ones, now is also the time to act! Indeed, finding insects on dogs means that the infestation is major within the home. We advise you to call a professional to detect bedbugs and then initiate effective treatment.
Can Dogs Carry Bedbugs And Infest The House With Them?
Dogs cannot carry bedbugs and do not bring them from the street into apartments or private houses. In this way, bedbugs are distinctly different from fleas, which dogs usually bring into the house.
At the same time, many owners of infested houses blame dogs for the introduction of bedbugs. If you don’t know the peculiarities of the biology of bedbugs, then such an accusation may seem logical: a dog, they say, is not particularly inclined to neatness and cleanliness;
while walking on the street, it can climb somewhere where bedbugs are hiding, and the parasites themselves that fall on it can easily They will hide in its thick fur and ride it into the house unnoticed. Here they will jump off the dog, hide under the bed, and start breeding.
Bedbugs do not live on dogs, do not hide in their fur, and almost never travel long distances with them. Bedbugs are temporary parasites that contact their host for a short time only to feed. They spend most of their lives at a distance from the owner, although relatively close to his place of regular residence.
What To Do When Your Dog Gets Bed Bug?
Although psychological health is put to the test during an infestation, bedbug bites do not represent a real danger to the body. For animals, rest assured, it is the same.
In the event of bites on the skin of dogs, a skin reaction may appear. You may therefore notice reddish spots or blisters, but nothing dangerous for their health. Unlike humans, animals are even much less sensitive, since they will not develop any complications.
On the other hand, anti-bedbug treatments can be toxic and dangerous for your animals. When carrying out this, read the instructions carefully beforehand and take the necessary precautions.
For example, aquariums must be protected because fish are sensitive to chemical substances. Cats are also extremely sensitive to pyrethroids, a component of bedbug fumicides.
Areas treated with chemical substances must therefore be thoroughly cleaned and dried. It is essential to respect each rule of use specific to the treatments used. Chemical substances are generally neurotoxic substances.
They do not have a devastating effect on your animals, which gives you time to react in the event of abnormal behavior. If you notice difficulty for your dog or cat in moving, a lack of balance, or reactivity, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs on Dogs?
Dogs are more likely to come into contact with a bed bug while they are at home because bed bugs don’t reside in your yard or on the streets as fleas and ticks do. Being proactive is the greatest way to stop kids from jumping on the dog train.
Although bed bugs can infect anyone, this is especially crucial if there is a lot of foot activity entering and leaving your home.
Vacuum Every Day:
Any insects or eggs that might be hiding in your furniture, carpets, or rugs can be removed with a hose-equipped Hoover cleaner. Throw away the Hoover bag right away in the outside trash can.
Guard Your Mattress:
To keep these annoying insects at bay, make an investment in a high-quality mattress encasement and be sure to inspect it frequently.
Clean the Dog’s Bed Linen:
To eliminate any possible bed bugs, wash pet bedding frequently in hot water and dry it on high heat.
Conclusion:
Dogs have tougher skin, which makes it difficult for bedbugs to pierce. It is difficult for bedbugs to move through dog fur – their body is simply not designed for this. Its shape is the opposite of that of a flea’s body:
if the flea is narrow and tall, such that it is convenient for it to maneuver among thick hair, then the bug, on the contrary, is flat and wide, and on any long and thick hair it is extremely difficult for it to get close to the skin.
