Bed bugs don’t live on dogs or cats. Unlike fleas, they hide in mattresses, furniture and bedding and only crawl out to feed. They prefer human blood but will bite pets if no person is around. A pet can occasionally carry a bed bug in its fur, collar or bedding, but that is uncommon. To protect your pet, treat your home and the pet’s bedding, not the animal: flea and tick products don’t work on bed bugs.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do bed bugs live on pets? | No; they hide nearby and feed briefly |
| Do they bite pets? | Sometimes, when no person is available |
| Can pets carry them? | Rarely, in fur, collars, carriers or bedding |
| Do flea products help? | No; treat the home instead |
| Itchy pet? | Fleas are far more likely; check with a flea comb |
Table of Contents
Do Bed Bugs Bite Dogs and Cats?
Yes, but pets are a second choice. Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide and warmth of a sleeping person and feed most easily on bare skin. Fur gets in their way. A bed bug is more likely to bite a pet when the home has been empty, when the pet sleeps alone in an infested room, or after people move out of a bedroom to avoid bites.
Bites on pets may show up as small, itchy red bumps, most often on areas with thin fur such as the belly. Because fleas, mites and allergies cause similar signs, have a vet look at any pet with ongoing itching or sores. For comparison, see flea vs bed bug bites.
Can Pets Carry Bed Bugs?
Rarely. Bed bugs don’t stay on animals after feeding. They head back to cracks and seams within minutes. A bug can, though, briefly hitch a ride in a collar, harness, fur, carrier or pet bed and end up in a new room or home. Luggage, used furniture and clothing are much more common ways bed bugs spread. See how bed bugs spread.
Bed Bugs vs Fleas on Pets
| Bed bugs | Fleas | |
|---|---|---|
| Live on the pet? | No | Yes, adults stay on the animal |
| Jump? | No | Yes |
| Where you find them | Mattress seams, furniture, pet beds, cracks | In the fur, especially neck, back and tail base |
| Signs | Bites on people, rusty spots and shed skins in bedding | Scratching, flea dirt (black specks) in the fur |
| Treatment | Treat the home and bedding | Vet-recommended flea product for every pet, plus the home |
If your pet is scratching, fleas are the usual cause. See how long fleas live for how to break the flea cycle.
Can Dogs and Cats Find Bed Bugs?
Trained detection dogs can. In a 2008 University of Florida study, bed bug detection dogs correctly identified bed bugs 97.5% of the time, told live bugs and viable eggs apart from dead bugs and shed skins 95% of the time, and found live bugs in hotel rooms with 98% accuracy. Pest control companies use these dogs for inspections. Pet cats and dogs, however, aren’t a reliable way to detect or control bed bugs.
How to Protect Your Pet From Bed Bugs
- Treat the home, not the pet. Follow a full plan or hire a licensed professional. See how to get rid of bed bugs.
- Wash pet bedding, blankets and fabric toys in hot water and dry them on high heat. Do the same with collars and harnesses that can be washed.
- Vacuum around pet beds, crates and furniture the pet uses, and empty the vacuum outside.
- Steam pet beds that can’t be washed, or replace them if they are heavily infested.
- Never spray bed bug insecticides on pets or their bedding. Keep pets out of treated rooms until products dry, and follow the label. Tell your pest professional you have pets.
- A regular bath is fine if your pet slept in an infested area, but special shampoos aren’t needed because bed bugs don’t stay on the animal.
- After travel, wash pet bedding and inspect carriers before bringing them inside.
Avoid rubbing alcohol on pet bedding or near pets. It is flammable, and it misses many bugs and eggs it doesn’t directly soak. See does alcohol kill bed bugs.
Pet-safe bed bug essentials
- Pet bed with a washable cover you can wash hot
- Bed bug interceptor cups under bed and couch legs
- Flea comb to rule out fleas
- Handheld steamer for pet beds and furniture seams
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FAQ
No. Bed bugs don’t live on animals the way fleas and ticks do. They hide in cracks, seams and bedding, crawl out to feed for a few minutes, then go back into hiding. Fur also makes it hard for them to move and feed.
They can, but they prefer people. A hungry bed bug may feed on a dog or cat, especially if no person is sleeping nearby, for example when a home is empty or a pet sleeps alone in an infested room.
It is uncommon but possible. A bed bug can briefly hitch a ride in a collar, fur, a carrier or pet bedding. Luggage, used furniture and clothing are much more common ways bed bugs arrive.
No. Flea and tick products for pets don’t control bed bugs, because bed bugs don’t stay on the animal. Treat the home, not the pet, and never use household bed bug sprays on animals.
Probably not. Fleas are a far more common cause of itching in dogs and cats. Look for fleas or flea dirt with a flea comb, and see a vet if your pet keeps scratching or has sores.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Can dogs and cats carry bed bugs?
- Pfiester et al. (2008): Ability of bed bug-detecting canines to locate live bed bugs and viable eggs
- CDC: About bed bugs
Related guides
- How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: 7 Steps That Work (DIY & Professional)
- What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? Pictures, Size, Eggs, Shells & Poop
- What Attracts Bed Bugs & things they Hate /Dislike Most
- How do Bed Bugs Spread? Are they Contagious? How Fast/Easily from Person, Room or House?
- How to Kill Bed Bugs with Steam: Best Steamers & Guide + Tips
- What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like? Pictures, Patterns & How to Tell
- How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs
- Flea Treatment for Cats
- Fleas vs Bed Bugs