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Can Dog Carry Bed Bugs

Can Dog Carry Bed Bugs

Dog beds have plenty of benefits, and that’s far more than just keeping them comfortable. But like our beds, they also need proper maintenance. Otherwise, they’ll become a welcoming place for different types of unpleasant germs and insects.
Among them, bed bugs are the worst ones. Honestly, they’re the most disgusting creature on this planet. These insects are generally attracted by dirty places.
So, if you don’t wash your dog’s bed and maintain its cleanliness, there’s a huge possibility that your dog can get attacked by bed bugs. But are they going to live on your dog’s body? Can dog carry bed bugs? Well, that’s an important answer that needs to find out!
You may have already heard different kinds of horror stories where they surround the house and eats up almost everything. Don’t worry; it can’t be real, but in reality, if somehow these bugs attack your house, your struggling days will start very soon.
These annoying insects aren’t going to leave your house easily and will spread their lineage faster than you can imagine. In case you’re infested with these bugs, then you need to find out the root of their origins to get rid of them.  But first of all, let’s see can they really bite a dog?

Can Bed Bugs Bite Dogs?

When we think about any harmful parasites of dogs and pets, the first thing that comes in our mind is fleas and ticks. Bed bugs have a lot of similarities with these parasitic pests. This means your dogs are more likely to be harmed by these insects, aren’t they?
Another matter of concern is that bed bugs feed on their blood. They will go straight for the blood instead of distinguishing between human or animal skin. Consequently, your dog will have several itchy spots that cause discomfort.
Okay, wait; there is a good thing about the dog. A dog’s skin is usually covered with thick fur that creates a thick layer on the skin. Bugs can’t reach the skin through this layer; thus, they get the required amount of protection. In some rare cases, the bugs may become able to reach the skin through this thick layer, but that’s a few in a thousand.
Ticks and fleas are quite different than bed bugs. They have the capability to make a way through the dog fur. So, every dog and fur-covered pets are protected from bed bugs.

Can Bed Bugs Bite Dogs?

Now, this is the real question. As bed bugs bite a dog in certain cases so, they aren’t going to stay on their coat. But they can use your dog’s coat to find a better source of food. They’ll definitely need food to live, but if they can’t find that on your dog’s body, they won’t stay there.
On the contrary, if they find a way to reach the skin, they could obviously live on your dog. Bed bugs are attracted to the warm places, so they’ll love to climb up your dog’s body. Hopefully, they won’t be able to reach your dog’s skin. As we’ve mentioned, it happens only in some rare cases, and most of the time, they’ll leave the dog and search for food somewhere else.

What Does Bed Bug Bites Look Like on Dogs?

Bed bug bites are a bit difficult to find on dogs. When these little insects are fully grown, they’ll only be 5 mm in size. That’s why they’re also hard to locate too.
Anyway, when bed bugs bite your dog, you’ll notice a tiny red bump. The bites are usually seen on their legs or belly, so you can start looking from there. It’s because furs are less in amount and they may get there easily.

Do Bed Bugs Carry Diseases?

No, bed bugs don’t transmit any disease to humans or dogs. So, you won’t have to worry about health issues. They may have lots of similarities with fleas and ticks, but they aren’t going to create any types of health concerns.

But they cause the worst thing about the bed bugs is that they cause itchiness surrounding the area where they bite. That’s why if a dog is bitten by the bed bugs, they have to deal with a significant amount of discomfort. In this case, if your dog scratches the area hardly, it can develop infections on their skin.

Can You Get Bed Bugs from Your Dog?

Theoretically, if bed bugs have found their way and living on your dog, then your house can get exposed to bed bugs. Even if they aren’t, bed bugs can get inside your home by using them as a carrier.

Theoretically, if bed bugs have found their way and living on your dog, then your house can get exposed to bed bugs. Even if they aren’t, bed bugs can get inside your home by using them as a carrier.

So, if you’re traveling with your dog, or staying in a hotel room, be a bit concern about the bed bugs. They can ride on your dog and enter your home as your uninvited guest. And if they really do, then you need to find the proper way to get rid of them.

Final Words

You asked, can dog carry bed bugs, isn’t it?  Well, the particular answer to this question is “yes they can,” but in some certain cases. Maybe one in a thousand. However, you’ve to maintain the cleanliness of every household item and your dog’s bed too. Cleaning a dog bed can be a bit tricky, but if you want to learn the most straightforward way, you can read our article on how to clean a dog bed. By the way, if you’ve got any questions, feel free to ask us through the comment section below.

Rayhan: