Bedbugs are a common household menace that can cause endless trouble. They can infest your furniture, mattresses, and even your dog’s bed. While it is not overly likely, it is possible for your dog to carry bedbugs into your home. Checking for signs that your dog is carrying or being bitten by bedbugs can save you and your pup a ton of trouble. This guide will provide you with signs to look out for, tips on training your dog to get used to a bedbug check, and ways to combat bedbugs in your home.
Signs Your Dog is Carrying Bedbugs
If your home is infested with bedbugs, your dog may show signs of being fed on. Excessive itching, welts or red lesions on their skin, fur loss, and shedding can indicate that your dog is being bitten by bedbugs. While bedbugs won’t give your dog any serious diseases, they can be a huge discomfort for them.
Body Language
Look out for body language cues such as whining, scratching, twitching whiskers, back hair on edge, whimpering, nipping, and shaking off. These can indicate that your dog is being bitten by bedbugs.
Other Signs
Other signs that your dog is being bitten by bedbugs include allergic dermatitis, red or brown stains on their bedding, excessive scratching, itching, or nipping at their skin, red or pink blisters, hives, welts, bald patches, and an inordinate amount of shedding.
Historic Causes of Bedbugs
Bedbugs have been feeding off humans and animals for centuries. They have a knack for hitchhiking and can easily infest your home by clinging to your dog’s fur or bedding. Once they establish themselves, they become difficult to eradicate.
The Science of Bedbugs and Dogs
Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed off blood. They are mostly active at night and make their infestation sites in places where people and animals sleep. Females lay eggs in crevices, and the infestation cycle continues if left untreated. Exterminating bedbugs is crucial to prevent them from feeding on you or your dog.
How to Train Your Dog to Deal With Bedbug Prevention
It is important to train your dog to be comfortable with the vet and associate it with a positive experience. Your vet may provide medicine to alleviate itchiness caused by bedbug bites. Train your dog to take pills by playing a throw-and-catch game or incorporating them into their food. Additionally, train your dog to sit and stay while you inspect them for pests, rewarding them with treats for good behavior.
“Training your dog to be comfortable with routine bedbug checks can help prevent infestations and protect your pup from discomfort.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Regularly check your dog for signs of bedbugs. If your dog is excessively scratching, developing welts or red lesions, or losing a significant amount of fur, they may be infested with bedbugs. Body language cues such as whining, scratching, and whimpering can also indicate the presence of bedbugs.
2️⃣ Bedbugs are small, brownish-red insects that feed off blood. They are known to infest places where people and animals sleep and are mostly active at night. Females lay eggs in crevices, which hatch into nymphs, develop into adults, and produce more eggs. This cycle repeats every 8-10 days unless interrupted.
3️⃣ Train your dog to be comfortable with regular vet visits and pest checks. This includes teaching them to take medication if necessary. Make these experiences positive for your dog by offering treats and praise. Regular checks and visits to the vet can help prevent or treat bedbug infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs carry bedbugs into your home?
Yes, dogs can carry bedbugs into your home if they come into contact with them while out and about.
2. What are some signs that your dog is carrying or being bitten by bedbugs?
Signs include excessive itching, welts or red lesions on the skin, fur loss or patchy hair, and excessive shedding.
3. Can bedbugs cause serious diseases in dogs?
No, bedbugs won’t give your dog any serious diseases, but they can be a discomfort and annoyance.
4. What are some body language cues that indicate your dog may be bitten by bedbugs?
Whining, scratching, twitching whiskers, back hair on edge, whimpering, nipping, and shaking off.
5. How can you train your dog to deal with bedbug prevention?
Train your dog to be comfortable with the vet, associate the vet with positive experiences, teach them to take pills, and train them to sit and stay for routine pest checks.
