The disease affects many different species — most notably dogs and people. Sometimes. Bug Bites on Dogs and Cats. Just as numerous are the types of bugs that go after our beloved dogs and cats. The good news is that not all kissing bug bites result in Chagas disease. The bugs can also bite dogs, and they can get the same heart issues as people, but in a shorter timeline, Gunter says. Kissing bugs are bloodsuckers and seek out mammals including dogs. It's spreads through kissing bugs. These beetles lay in the bedding of dogs and other animals, feeding on the animals' blood as they sleep. Kissing bugs carry the culprit behind deadly Chagas disease, the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, inside their feces. The kissing bug is a blood-sucking insect that attacks humans for food. The kissing bugs bite an infected host, and then T. cruzi develops within the bug's body. Chagas disease is spread by the bite of certain insects, including the Mexican Kissing Beetle and other related insects. Yes. They are also known as triatomines, assassin bugs and cone-nose bugs. The parasite that causes Chagas disease is transmitted by triatomine bugs, more commonly called kissing bugs. Chagas disease is transmitted whenever a kissing bug bites an animal, defecates T. cruzi and the parasite enters the bite opening. They tend to bite around the mouth and eye region on the face. Kissing bugs are nocturnal feeders that take blood from people and other hosts such as dogs at night while they sleep. Both male and female kissing bugs bite. These bugs transmit a dangerous disease called Chagas. Many people and pets are sensitive to the proteins contained in the saliva or venom of biting insects. How do pets get chagas disease? Kissing bugs are nocturnal feeders that take blood from people and other hosts such as dogs at night while they sleep. Kissing bugs feed on blood during the night, and they are called kissing bugs because they prefer to bite … The kissing bug can infect all dogs of all breeds, though rarely. Chagas Disease Explained. Chagas disease is an infection caused by T. cruzi, a one-celled, parasitic microorganism. The true story is a bit grosser. After “kissing” a host, the insects leave behind fecal matter close to the bite. They don’t kiss. Unlike many other types of vector-borne diseases, the bite of a kissing bug is not responsible by itself for transmission. Both male and female kissing bugs bite. Dogs become most commonly become … The common hosts of kissing bugs include wild rodents, other wild mammals, domestic dogs, and of course people. There are several things you can do to help your dog avoid exposure to kissing bugs. Kissing bugs are blood-feeding insects that live in the southern and western United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Kissing bugs will bite you when you’re sleeping, feed off of your dogs and cats, but other than typical bug bites, they’re not really dangerous. Since the bites are painless, hosts usually do not wake up. They prefer to bite around the mouth and eyes, which is why they are called Kissing Bugs. If the feces of the kissing bug enters through the wound, the dog may become infected. Dogs can be bitten too. The common hosts of kissing bugs include wild rodents, other wild mammals, domestic dogs, and of course people. That’s why recognizing, treating, and preventing bug bites is an essential component of responsible pet ownership. Bug bites and stings are common occurrences faced by all pet owners. The kissing bugs are attracted to light and live in woodpiles and crevices. When the kissing bug bites again, it also defecates on its host. Since the bites are painless, hosts usually do not wake up. Read more about symptoms, transmission from kissing bugs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, history, and research. With no preventative vaccine and no effective treatment for Chagas disease, the best practice for dog owners is to reduce chances their dogs will encounter a kissing bug.