Do Cats Help With Bed Bugs?
WouterDespite the common belief that cats don’t eat bed bugs, this isn’t really the case. A cat might occasionally nibble on a pesky bug, but most cats are not scavengers and don’t feed on bed bugs. Nevertheless, cats can help with an infestation by luring bed bugs to the cat’s fur and feces. Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide, which cats exhale, and the warmth of a cat’s body.
If you notice that your cat has a red welt or a pimple on his or her skin, it could be a sign of bed bug infestation. These little creatures feed on anything with circulating blood. Bedbugs bite for three to ten minutes, and their bites are similar to flea bites, although they do not have the red center. To combat this, avoid using flea preventatives and stick to preventatives formulated specifically for bedbugs.
The most effective way to kill bed bugs is to catch them early. If you are able to catch them in time, you can kill them before they multiply too quickly. Bed bugs prefer to feed during the night, but if they can’t get their fix at night, they will feed during the day. Think about it – if you were hungry, you wouldn’t sleep, would you? Instead, you would find a way to eat. Bedbugs will also feed on humans and pets if there is no human host available.
Cats can get enmeshed in bed bug infestations if they sleep in an infested area. Their fur will carry bedbug eggs with it. However, they won’t remain in the fur of a cat for very long. Therefore, you should inspect your cat’s bed carefully. You should also look for any discarded shells or fecal spots. If you notice any of these, you should consider purchasing a new cat bed.
