Can Dogs Spread Bed Bugs? What Pet Parents Should Know

Should you be concerned about your dog bringing home some unwanted bed bug friends? While dogs can transport bed bugs on their fur or in their bedding, it's not very common. Bed bugs prefer to feed on humans and don't live on pets. That said, if your home is infested, it's possible that the bed bugs could spread to your dog's sleeping areas, so it's a good idea to know what to look for.

This article looks at studies by entomologists and veterinary professionals to determine how likely it is that dogs can spread bed bugs and what you can do to prevent infestations. You'll also learn how to recognize the signs of a bed bug infestation, the best ways to treat them, and how to make sure your dog—and your home—stay bed bug-free. With this information and a few precautions, you can rest easy knowing you and your dog are safe from these annoying pests.

How to Tell If Your Dog Has Been Bitten by Bed Bugs

Bed bugs don’t live on dogs, but there are some signs that your dog has been bitten by bed bugs. According to Dogster, the bites will show up as red, swollen bumps in a line when you part your dog’s hair to look at their skin. Other signs that your dog has been bitten by bed bugs include excessive scratching, skin irritation, patchy hair loss, and the development of rashes or welts.

You should also check your dog’s bedding, crate, and any other fabric-covered areas where they sleep for signs of bed bugs. According to PROOF Pest Control, you should look for live bed bugs (small, flat, reddish-brown bugs), shed exoskeletons (translucent shells), fecal spotting (tiny red/brown specks), and blood stains on light-colored materials.

That said, many of these signs can also be indicative of other common pet problems, such as fleas, mites, allergies, and skin conditions. As Wag! Walking explains, you should always rule out these more common issues first, especially since fleas and mites live on pets, while bed bugs only use them as a means of transportation. It’s also important to note that bed bugs can’t jump like fleas. By closely observing your dog and ruling out other issues, you can determine whether bed bugs have hitched a ride into your home on your dog.

How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Home From Pets

To prevent dogs from bringing bed bugs into the home, experts suggest washing and drying your dog's bedding, toys, and crate on a regular basis with high heat. McDonald Pest Control explains that this can help kill any bed bugs and eggs that may be present. In addition, after traveling or visiting other people's homes, make sure to inspect and clean your dog's items thoroughly before bringing them back into your house.

Keeping a clean and clutter-free home is also important since bed bugs are known to thrive in cluttered spaces with lots of places to hide. Bed Bug SOS recommends cleaning and vacuuming your home regularly, especially in the areas where your dog spends the most time.

While it's not as common, there may be some bed bug repellents or treatments that are safe for pets. However, Snoozer Pet Products warns that you should always talk to your vet before using any products on your pets. By following these measures, you can keep bed bugs from entering your home through your furry friend.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Pet-Friendly Home

If you think you have a bed bug problem in your home, it's important to work with a professional exterminator to make sure that you can safely and effectively treat the issue, especially if you have pets. According to PetMD, some of the pesticides and treatments used to get rid of bed bugs can be toxic to pets, so it's important to make sure you follow any and all safety guidelines.

For smaller infestations, you can use freezing or heat to get rid of bed bugs on your pet's items. Elanco suggests washing machine-safe items in hot water and then drying them on the hottest setting. You can also wrap items that can't be washed in plastic and then expose them to extreme temperatures (either cold or heat) to kill the bugs.

When it comes to treating infested areas, GoPetFriendly recommends using pet-safe insecticides, such as diatomaceous earth or foaming sprays, but make sure that you don't apply them directly to your pets. It's also a good idea to take your pets out of the home when you're having it professionally treated for pests and then make sure that you clean the home thoroughly to avoid any long-term problems.

How Bed Bugs Behave and What They Like

Bed bugs are attracted to human hosts and are most likely to infest environments that are close to people. According to TrustSpringer, bed bugs have "very little interest in dogs or cats" and are unlikely to infest animal hosts. However, they can infest areas where pets sleep if those areas are close to where people sleep.

While bed bugs can bite dogs, cats, and other mammals, they do not live or reproduce on animal hosts. According to J.C. Ehrlich, bed bugs "prefer exposed skin because they have difficulty navigating through fur." In addition, cats and dogs are more likely to feel bed bugs moving through their fur, which makes it harder for the bugs to feed on them.

As Moyer Pest Control explains, bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and the presence of potential hosts, not pets themselves. They will feed on any mammal if human hosts are unavailable, but they still prefer human blood. In addition, pets are unlikely to bring bed bugs into a home because bed bugs are more likely to hide in cracks and crevices than on animal hosts.

Conclusion: How to Keep Your Home Free of Bed Bugs With Pets

While pets are mammals and therefore susceptible to bed bug bites, they are not the preferred hosts of bed bugs. According to The Spruce Pets, bed bugs "prefer exposed skin because they have difficulty navigating through fur." As a result, dogs and cats are less desirable to bed bugs than humans.

That said, pets can still be bitten by bed bugs. The ASPCA explains that while bed bugs don't live on pets, they can still bite them if they can't find a human host. Signs that your pet has been bitten by bed bugs include red, swollen welts, excessive itching, and skin inflammation.

The biggest risk to pets when it comes to bed bugs is not the bugs themselves, but the pesticides used to treat infestations. PF Harris suggests using pet-friendly products like diatomaceous earth or foaming sprays to get rid of bed bugs, and making sure pets stay away from treated areas until the chemicals are completely dry. It's also important to consult with a vet to make sure that any treatment is safe and effective.

By learning about bed bug habits, regularly checking for signs of infestation, and using pet-safe treatment options, pet parents can make sure their animals are safe from bed bugs and that their homes remain bed bug-free. With the right precautions, you and your pets can live together without the fear of bed bug infestations.