Do cats eat bed bugs?

What an outlandish question. In short, cats don’t not eat bed bugs. They might, however, out of curiosity eat one pesky bug, but cats aren’t just cut out to eat bugs. Though lacking appetite for bugs, squashing bugs is one sweet pastime for bugs. In fact, when properly trained they can help win the fight against bed bug infestation.

Using animals to fight bug infestation became necessary after it became obvious that conventional treatment solution had become ineffective. Before now, teacup pigs and trained dogs were used for treating bed bug infestation. What they did basically was to sniff up the bugs and squash the crawlers with their feet.

Recent research has proven that cats can be used against bed bugs as well. Of course, some sort of training is required. Training a cat to spot out bugs and destroy them is fairly simple. Simply entice the cat with a reward; the rest is taken care of.

Okay, let’s reverse the question: do bed bugs feed on cats?

Do bed bugs feed on cats?

In short, bed bugs can feed on cats. In fact, anything that has red blood flowing in it is a potential prey for bugs. Your precious little kitty is a prime target. As much as they would like to feast on your cat, they most likely won’t. Bed bugs have strong claws, true, but their claw isn’t strong enough to burrow through thick hairs and fur. For this reason, they will gladly seek out other alternative food sources. But when the hunger is severe and no other food source seem to be in sight, no fur so thick will stop them.

Keeping your feline safe from bed bug bites

Bed bugs are indiscriminate feeders ready to overcome any overcome any obstacle to get to their prize: blood. You are not safe; your feline isn’t safe either. Here’s how to keep them away from your kitty – or at least minimize their impact.

• Use disinfectant on your cat’s crate: Disinfecting your cat’s crate as often as possible will help to a certain degree. Do bear in mind that not every disinfectant will not. The wrong disinfectant could choke your kitty to death, or worse cause a terminal allergic reaction. Go for disinfectant specially designed to keep away bed bugs.
• Frequent vacuuming. Vacuuming is done to suck up dirt. What many don’t know is that it can also be used for sucking up insect pests that won’t just let you be. Frequent vacuuming –not one-off, haphazard vacuuming – is key. Also, doing a thorough vacuuming will help immensely. Raise all that needs to be raise, move all that needs to be moved until every single bug is sucked up.
• Washing with hot water: Extreme temperatures can kill a colony of bed bugs in one swing. Once you notice a bed bug bite on your cat, make it a duty to regularly wash their bedding with hot water.
• Don’t forget the spray. Using anti-bedbug spray is one sure and easy way to fight bugs. Why not save yourself the headache of trial and error by going for Nature Mace’s Bed Bug Killer. Your pet is safe around it so there is little to be worried about.