Bed Bug Treatment for Cats

Bed bugs, unlike fleas or lice, do not make their nests on the bodies of living animals or humans; they shy away from sources of heat when they’re not feeding. The bugs prefer to live in cool, dark spaces such as the seams of a mattress or behind a headboard, so it's unlikely that Fluffy's' fur would be infested. Bed bugs will head toward a human or mammal with very little fur as their first pick for a meal and only bother with burrowing through your furry friend's coat if they have no other choice.

Even without being infested, your cat can spread bed bugs to other rooms if she sleeps in your bed, pick ups a bug and and moves to another room. You can carefully brush or flea comb your cat, watching for any signs of the bugs or bites. If she isn't scratching excessively and no bugs or bites (which will appear as small pink spots or welts on the skin) are visible, you can skip putting Fluffy through the stress of a bath. If bites are present, consult your veterinarian for treatment options; over-the-counter bed bug shampoos meant for dogs may be harmful to cats.

Because bed bugs are small and easily spread throughout a home, treat your pet’s bedding and toys in a similar manner to your own bedding. Bed bugs are killed by heat temperatures above 120 degrees, so wash pet beds and soft toys on the hottest wash settings, and dry at high heat for at least 20 minutes. Cat trees or toys unable to be machine washed can be sprayed with isopropyl alcohol, which will kill both adult bugs and eggs upon contact.

When bed bugs invade, call the pros. Most homes will require professional spray or heat treatments to get rid of an infestation. To keep Fluffy safe, you will need to remove her from your home during treatment. With a spray treatment, it is safest to wait until the spray has dried completely before allowing your cat to roam freely; wet residue might be transferred to a cat’s fur and accidentally ingested during grooming. Consult with your pest control company to find out how long to wait before reintroducing your feline friend to your home.