Can Bed Bugs Live on Dogs?
WouterIf you have a dog and suspect that he is sharing your bed with bedbugs, you should do everything you can to avoid the problem. Dogs are not known to carry bedbugs on their fur, but they do occasionally carry them in their collars and fur. However, they do not carry any disease and they are not known to transmit them to people. Unlike dogs, people tend to bring bedbugs home through their used furniture and infested luggage.
Bedbugs are tiny insects that are one to seven millimeters in size. They feed on human and animal blood. They are most active at night and make their infestation sites in places where people sleep. Female bedbugs lay their eggs in mattress crevices and develop into nymphs. Then, they mature into adults and reproduce every eight to ten days. During the day, bedbugs will search for warmth and CO2 to feed on. If you have a pet, the heat from your dog will help the bugs to feed.
The first thing to do is to wash all bedding. You should wash it at the highest temperature settings. You should also avoid transporting bedding as this can spread bedbugs. If you are not able to wash the material, you should dry it on a medium-high heat for at least ten to twenty minutes. If you discover any holes or tears in the material, throw it away. If the problem persists, you should seek a veterinarian for an evaluation.
