How do bedbugs bite cats? - briefly
Bedbugs use their needle‑like proboscis to puncture a cat’s skin and inject saliva that contains anticoagulants, creating tiny, often itchy, red spots. Affected cats may scratch, develop hair loss, or show localized inflammation where the bites occur.
How do bedbugs bite cats? - in detail
Bedbugs locate a cat by detecting body heat, carbon dioxide, and movement. They crawl onto the animal’s fur, then move toward exposed skin, typically around the neck, ears, and abdomen where the coat is thinner.
The feeding process involves several stages:
- Penetration: The insect inserts its elongated mouthparts, called stylets, through the cat’s epidermis.
- Saliva injection: Anticoagulant saliva is released to prevent clotting and to numb the area, reducing the cat’s immediate reaction.
- Blood extraction: A negative pressure created by the bug’s muscular pump draws blood up the stylet tube into its gut.
- Detachment: After ingesting a few microliters of blood, the bug withdraws its mouthparts and retreats to a hidden harbor.
Bite sites appear as small, raised, reddish papules. In some cats, the reaction may be limited to mild irritation; in others, secondary infection or allergic dermatitis can develop. Signs to monitor include excessive scratching, hair loss around the bite, and crusted lesions.
Control measures focus on eliminating the insects from the environment and treating the animal:
- Environmental sanitation: Launder bedding at high temperature, vacuum carpets and upholstery, and use steam cleaning on infested areas.
- Chemical intervention: Apply insecticide sprays or powders labeled for bedbug control, following manufacturer instructions and ensuring pet safety.
- Topical therapy: Use veterinary‑approved anti‑inflammatory or antihistamine creams to reduce skin inflammation.
- Systemic medication: In severe cases, a veterinarian may prescribe oral antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Preventive steps include regular inspection of sleeping areas, sealing cracks where bugs hide, and maintaining a clean household to reduce attractants. Monitoring the cat’s skin for new lesions helps detect re‑infestation early.