Can Dogs Get Bed Bugs? What to Check in Your Dog's Bed

October 6, 2026 · 5 min read

You found a bite on yourself, or a worrying spot on your dog, and now you are wondering about bed bugs. It is a common question, and the answer has two parts: yes, dogs can be bitten, and no, bed bugs do not live on dogs the way fleas do. Here is what sources say, and how to check the places your dog sleeps.

Can dogs get bed bugs?

PetMD says: "While bed bugs prefer humans, they will feed on dogs and cats as well." The CDC says bed bugs "bite people and animals at night while they sleep, feeding on their blood." So a dog can be bitten.

But VCA Animal Hospitals adds an important difference: "Unlike fleas or ticks, bed bugs don't live on animals." It says bed bugs "don't infest dogs like fleas do," and instead "hide in environments close to their hosts, such as furniture, carpets or bedding." In other words, you are unlikely to find a colony in your dog's coat. You are more likely to find one in the places around where people and pets sleep.

Can dogs carry bed bugs?

Sometimes, briefly. VCA says: "Pets can unintentionally transport bed bugs. For example, a dog's collar or a cat's fur can briefly harbor these pests, allowing them to hitchhike to new areas." A dog who visits a place with bed bugs could bring one home.

What do bites look like?

PetMD says you may not notice bites at all, or you may see "red welts, oftentimes in a line." The CDC says bites on people look similar to mosquito or flea bites. Because other things cause itchy skin in dogs, including fleas, do not guess. VCA says that if your pet shows signs of bites or irritation, you should consult a veterinarian.

Where to look: the bed, then the room

Sources say bed bugs hide close to where hosts sleep. The CDC lists the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards, cracks and crevices, and behind wallpaper. The EPA adds the piping, seams and tags of the mattress, cracks in the bed frame, the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains, and in drawer joints.

VCA says to "regularly inspect your home, pet bedding and furniture." As a general tip, that includes the seams, zippers and underside of your dog's bed, and the floor and baseboards around it.

Signs to look for

Shed skins. The CDC lists exoskeletons shed after molting, and the EPA mentions pale yellow skins that nymphs shed.
Rusty or reddish stains. Both the CDC and the EPA describe rust-colored blood spots on mattresses, sheets or nearby furniture.
Dark spots. The EPA says dark spots about the size of a period are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric.
Eggs and eggshells. The EPA says these are tiny, about 1 mm, and pale yellow.
A sweet, musty odor. The CDC lists this as a sign of infestation.

If you think you have bed bugs

Treat the home, not the pet. VCA says to focus on treating the environment rather than your pet, and that anti-flea and anti-tick products are ineffective against bed bugs. PetMD says none of the treatment products should be applied directly to pets.
Call a professional. PetMD says the best outcomes happen when treatment is assisted by a pest-care professional. It also says some chemical applications require about 4 to 6 hours of keeping the pet away from the house, so ask the company how to keep your pet safe.
Ask your vet about your pet. If your dog shows signs of irritation, consult your veterinarian.

The CDC also says that bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people. It is a nuisance, not an emergency, but it is better to act early.

Washing the dog bed

Our sources do not give laundry temperatures for bed bugs, and the right method may depend on the bed, so check the care label and ask the pest professional who treats your home. For general washing steps, see how to wash a dog bed. For freshening the home, see how to get dog smell out of your home.

A bed that is easy to inspect

We cannot say that any bed prevents bed bugs. As a general tip, a bed with a removable cover and plain seams is easier to check and to wash than one with deep folds. You can browse our dog beds and read our guide to choosing a dog bed.