Will bed bugs bite cats?

When it comes to our furry and loveable animals and pets, we want to ensure they are safe and protected. Bed bugs main purpose is to hide away near their host in furniture, bedding, and clothing and to use them for a blood meal when their host is sleeping. Typically, bed bugs use humans for a blood meal, but is it possible for cats to be bitten to? The answer is yes!

Why bed bugs bite cats

Bed bugs can bite cats even though they prefer to feast on humans and can target many animals such as cats, dogs, rodents, and birds. Cats can make an excellent target for bed bugs to bite, because like humans, they are warm and exhale carbon dioxide which are primary reasons bed bugs love to bite and feed off. As well as this, cats make an excellent host as they are very mobile and move around the house which makes it convenient for bed bugs to catch a ride and be transported to other areas within your home.

Bed bugs, once in your home, are annoying pests that can be very difficult to spot in your home- especially if they have bitten your pet cat as their fur can conceal their evident bite marks. Bed bugs don’t live on cat fur, but can hide in your cat’s bedding and nestle in dark, hidden places in your home (furniture, sofas, armchairs, mattress, box springs, bed frames, clothing, upholstery) 

Can bed bugs harm cats?

Don’t worry! Bed bugs don’t transmit diseases, so if your cat has been bitten by a bed bug, they won’t catch any illness or disease. But if your cat has been bitten then they can still cause your cat to have some pain and irritation. These are the things to look out for…

Signs your cat has been bitten by bed bugs

Check your cat, by lifting their fur and areas less furry. Check if they have: 

• Red lumps or sports on their body, such as: belly, ears, and legs
• Red spots/ lumps appear zig zag, lines, or clustered
• Your cat is irritated and agitated – they scratch, lick, gnaw more harshly and frequently
• Skin rash and inflammation 
• Their bedding has dark spots from bug bugs, their dried faecal matter, shed skin, eggs or crushed bugs