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Are Cats Susceptible to Lice

Feb 27,2025 | puaintapets

As a cat owner, it’s important to be aware of the various pests that can affect your feline companion. While fleas and ticks are commonly discussed, you might be wondering: Can cats get lice? The answer is yes, cats can indeed get lice. However, lice infestations in cats are relatively rare compared to other parasites like fleas. Lice are highly specific to their hosts, and the type of lice that affect cats is different from those that affect humans.

In this article, we’ll explore how lice infestations occur in cats, the symptoms you should look out for, how to treat lice, and how to prevent them from returning. Understanding these aspects will help you keep your cat healthy and free from these uncomfortable pests.

cat get lice

What Are Lice?

Lice are small, wingless insects that are parasites. Here are the key aspects about them:

1. Physical Characteristics

Lice are typically very small, usually only a few millimeters in length.
They have a flattened body shape, which helps them move easily through hair or feathers.
Their color can vary but is often a shade of gray, brown, or black.

2. Types of Lice

Head Lice: These are found mainly on the scalp and hair of humans. They feed on human blood several times a day and attach their eggs, called nits, close to the scalp.
Body Lice: They live on clothing and bedding and move to the body to feed. Body lice infestations are more common in situations where personal hygiene is poor and in crowded living conditions.
Pubic Lice (also known as “crabs”): These are found in the pubic area but can also be present in other coarse hair areas like the armpits, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

3. Life Cycle

Lice go through three stages: egg (nit), nymph, and adult.
The eggs are attached firmly to the hair shaft or feathers. They hatch into nymphs, which look like smaller versions of the adult lice.
Nymphs then molt several times before becoming fully - grown adults. The entire life cycle can take about 2 - 3 weeks depending on the species and environmental conditions.

4. Feeding Habits

Lice are obligate parasites, which means they must feed on the blood of their hosts to survive. They use their specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and suck blood. This feeding can cause itching and irritation in the host.

How Do Cats Get Lice?

Lice infestations in cats are not as common as other parasites, but they can still occur, especially if the cat is exposed to environments where lice are prevalent. Here are some common ways cats can get lice:

1. Direct Contact with Infected Cats

Lice are transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal. This is the most common way that cats contract lice. Cats that live in multi-cat households or outdoor environments are at higher risk of exposure.

2. Contact with Contaminated Bedding or Surfaces

Lice can live for a short time off the host but are generally not effective at surviving away from a cat for long periods. However, contaminated bedding or surfaces where an infected cat has been can serve as a source of lice.

3. Lack of Grooming or Poor Hygiene

Cats that do not groom regularly, or cats with underlying health issues that affect their ability to groom properly, are more susceptible to lice infestations. Poor hygiene can result in an environment where lice can thrive.

4. Outdoor Cats or Cats in Shelters

Outdoor cats or cats that frequently visit shelters or areas with a high concentration of animals are at a higher risk of contracting lice. Lice are often more common in environments where animals are kept in close quarters.

Symptoms of Lice Infestation in Cats

The symptoms of lice infestation in cats can include:

Skin and Coat

Excessive itching: Cats may scratch, bite, or rub the infested areas more frequently than usual.
Hair loss: Patchy hair loss, especially around the ears, neck, shoulders, groin, and rectal area, may occur.
Matted or scruffy coat: The hair may become matted or have a generally unkempt appearance.
Visible lice or nits: Small white or brown spots, which are the lice or their eggs (nits), may be visible on the fur.

Behavior

Restlessness: Infested cats may seem more agitated or restless than normal.
Increased grooming: Cats may groom themselves more often in an attempt to relieve the itching.

Health

Skin irritation and redness: The skin may become irritated, red, or inflamed due to the lice bites and scratching.
Secondary infections: Scratching can lead to open wounds, which may become infected.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How to Treat Lice in Cats?

If you suspect your cat has lice, it’s important to treat the infestation promptly to prevent further discomfort and potential health complications. Here are some steps to treat lice in cats:

Treating lice in cats involves several steps. Here are some methods:

Using Spot-on Products

Selamectin: Found in Revolution (US) and Stronghold (UK), it also affects the louse's neurotransmission. It's a prescription product.
Application: Part the cat's fur and apply the product on the skin, usually at the back of the neck. Let it dry for 2-3 hours. Repeat the treatment as needed.

Shampooing

Medicated Shampoo: Use a shampoo specifically designed to cat skin disease. Follow the instructions carefully.
Selenium Sulfide Shampoo: In some cases, selenium sulfide shampoo can be used, but it's not licensed for cats and should be used with caution.

Banov Shampoo for Skin Disease

Plant-added formula, help dogs and cats skin health, help improve fur problems.suitable for dandruff, itching,large area ring-worm, skin problems.

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Combing and Trimming

Fine-Toothed Comb: Use a fine-toothed comb to remove lice and nits from the cat's fur. Start from the head and work your way down.
Trimming: If the cat's fur is severely matted, it may be necessary to trim it to make the treatment more effective.

Also Read: How to Use a Flea Comb on a Cat

Environmental Cleaning

Bedding and Grooming Tools: Wash all bedding, toys, and grooming tools in hot, soapy water.
Furniture and Carpets: Vacuum and clean all areas where the cat has been to remove any lice or eggs.

Preventive Measures

Regular Grooming: Regularly groom your cat to check for lice and other parasites.
Monthly Preventive Treatments: Use monthly flea and tick preventives that also protect against lice.
Isolation: If one cat has lice, isolate it from other pets to prevent the spread.

If the infestation is severe or if the cat has underlying health issues, it's best to consult a veterinarian for further guidance.

cats get lice

FAQs

How do you clean your house after lice?

Choose the right insecticide, dilute it according to the instructions, spray the walls, floors, furniture and other surfaces of the room, pay attention to avoid food, tableware, etc., close the doors and windows for a period of time after spraying, and then ventilate the room to give full play to the effect of the insecticide. You can also use alcohol to disinfect some small items, crevices, etc. by wiping.
After disinfecting, wipe the furniture and floor again with water to remove any residual insecticide or disinfectant, and then mop the floor with a clean mop to keep the room clean and sanitary.
For families with pets, it is important to treat the pets for lice control at the same time to prevent the pets from bringing lice into the room again.

Can lice from cats spread to humans?

No, the lice that affect cats are species - specific and cannot survive on humans. So, you don't need to worry about getting lice from your cat.

How long does it take to get rid of lice in cats?

It usually takes about 2 - 4 weeks of consistent treatment to completely get rid of lice in cats, depending on the severity of the infestation and the effectiveness of the treatment method.

Are natural remedies effective for treating lice in cats?

Some natural remedies like neem oil may have some insecticidal properties, but they are not as reliable as medicated shampoos or spot - on treatments. It is always best to consult a veterinarian before using any natural remedy on your cat.

Conclusion

While lice infestations in cats are uncommon, they can still occur under certain conditions. Being aware of the signs of lice, knowing how they spread, and taking prompt action to treat an infestation is key to keeping your cat healthy and comfortable. If you suspect your cat has lice, it’s important to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment, and take steps to clean your home and prevent future infestations. With the right care, your cat can be lice-free and back to their playful self in no time.