Can Dogs Get Bed Bugs?
WouterIf you have a dog, you need to know if your pet can get bed bugs. Bed bugs can come from other people’s homes and hitch a ride on your dog’s coat or collar. This is especially true when your pet visits another home. In such cases, it is important to keep your dog away from the bedroom where the bugs might have already settled in.
Bed bugs like the scent of human skin and are attracted to it. Your dog will be less likely to develop an infestation if it has long, thick hair. Bedbugs tend to bite exposed skin, so you will want to watch for traces of blood or feces on your dog. Also, you can look for bedbug exoskeletons, which are translucent. These exoskeletons are difficult to see, but they are a reliable sign of a bedbug infestation.
If you have bedbugs, you need to get rid of them quickly. First, you should dry your dog’s bedding at the highest possible temperatures. You can also try using a steam cleaner to kill off the bugs. Hot water temperatures of over 118 degrees Fahrenheit will kill most bed bugs within 20 minutes. Once you’ve done this, you should throw away the dog bed. However, you should know that these treatments won’t kill adult bed bugs.
Bed bugs are not commonly found in dogs. They normally live on humans and cats. However, they can be transferred to your dog if your home is infested with the bugs. Dogs can also get bed bugs by carrying them in their collars.
