Bed bug bites on cats and dogs? Bed bugs don’t only feed on humans; they also feed on furry pets notably Cats, and Dogs. Although bed bugs mainly feed on humans, they can also expand their menu list to most mammals in the absence of a human host.
The following contains the signs of bed bugs bites on cats and dogs, and also ways of treating and preventing bed bugs.
- Bed bugs often feed on furry pets notably in situations where they cannot find a human host.
- Any shedding of hair on your pets not caused by common shedding factors like fleas, ticks, and sickness is usually a result of bed bugs. Also, it has been established that bed bug bites on cats and dogs lead to hair loss, blisters, rashes, and even stress and anxiety in pets.
- Bed bugs bites often lead to certain issues such as pink welts, allergic dermatitis, and severe itching.
- Pet owners have to pay attention to the following signs of bed bugs in the home; fecal stains, blood stains, empty exoskeleton, eggs, skin sheds, and dead bed bugs.
- Bed bugs can be serial hitchhikers, and they can easily latch on to your pets’ fur, or your personal belongings like luggage into your home.
- Bed bugs take harbor in cool dark places. They rest during the day in these places and find their way to your pets’ body at night to feed.
It is recommended that you take prompt action if you find any signs of bed bugs in your home, so as to prevent a massive infestation.
Prevent bed bug bites on your cats and dogs.
- Eradicating bed bug infestation very early is the recommended solution to avoid bed bug bites on your pets. The following preventive procedures will also help;
- Give your pet a thorough bath if they have spent considerable time away from the home
- Thoroughly wash your pet’s clothing and bedding in preferably hot water, and after that, dry the bedding on the maximum heat setting for more than 30 minutes. Studies have shown that all life stages of bed bugs don’t do well in heat.
- Do an entire home vacuum. Discard clutters in and around your home.
- If the infestation is large, call in the services of a professional
- Spray isopropyl alcohol on your pet’s bedding, and toys to kill bed bugs including eggs
- Use special grooming combs to brush your pet’s fur to help eliminate bed bugs stuck in the pet’s fur.
Treat bed bug bites on cats and dogs.
- Use mild products like shampoos and lotions to soothe the affected areas
- Lotions or creams with Aloe Vera as the main ingredient can help with pain caused by bed bug bites. Also, a mixture of coconut oil and camphor pellets also helps to reduce pain and swelling.
- If the itching is intense and accompanied by hair loss, you should contact your vet immediately.
Bed bugs will only feed on pets if they can’t get access to humans. Pay special attention to your pets, and if you notice any excessive itching carry out a home inspection yourself or call a professional to help you out. Read More…
