The Easiest Solutions for Cat Lice Removal

Cats are generally clean animals, but like all living creatures, they are not immune to parasites. One common question among cat owners is whether cats get lice. The answer is yes, cats can get lice, although it is not as common as in some other animals. Lice are common pests that infest humans and animals, but can cats get lice? The short answer is yes, although it’s relatively rare. In this article, we’ll discuss what feline lice are, how cats can become infested, the symptoms to watch for, and the best ways to treat and prevent lice in your furry friend.

What Are Cat Lice?

Lice are small, wingless parasites that live on the skin and fur of their hosts. The species that affects cats is called Felicola subrostratus, a type of chewing lice. Unlike human lice, cat lice are species-specific, meaning they only infest cats.

Types of Lice in Cats

There are two main types of lice that can infest cats: Felicola subrostratus, which is specific to cats. These lice are small, wingless insects that live on the cat's fur and skin. They are ectoparasites, meaning they live on the outside of the cat's body.

How Do Cats Get Lice?

1. Contact infection

• Contact with infected animals

Cats are easily infected when they come into direct contact with other animals that have lice. For example, in a multi-cat household, if one cat has lice, through behaviors such as licking each other's fur and sleeping next to each other, the lice will spread to other cats. Outdoor stray cats have a higher chance of being infected with lice, and domestic cats may also be infected if they have contact with stray cats.

• Exposure to the infected environment

If the cat is in an environment where lice can easily breed, such as unclean cat houses, damp and poorly sanitized corners, etc., lice may crawl onto the cat.

2. Low autoimmunity

Young cats or cats that are old and weak or suffering from other diseases are more likely to be parasitized by lice due to their lower immunity and weaker resistance to lice.

3. Improper hair care

The cat's hair is prone to knots if it has not been combed for a long time, which provides a suitable environment for lice to live. And if the hair is not cleaned frequently, dirt and dander will attract lice.

What are the Signs of a Cat Infected with Lice?

I. Observe the cat's behavior

• Frequent scratching

If the cat keeps scratching various parts of the body, such as behind the ears, neck, back, abdomen, etc., this may be a sign of itchy skin caused by lice bites. The cat may scratch so hard with its claws that it may even break the skin.

• Excessive licking

Cats that lick their fur frequently, especially focusing on certain areas, may be trying to relieve the discomfort caused by lice. Excessive licking may cause the hair in the licked areas to become wet and messy.

II. Checking the hairs

• Look directly

The cat's fur may become rough and lusterless. The parasitization of lice will affect the health of the cat's skin, which in turn affects the growth and condition of the hair. In severe cases, hair loss may also occur, especially in areas where lice gather more, such as the neck, back and abdomen.
Lice or lice eggs may be found on the cat's fur. Lice are small insects, usually light in color, that can be seen with the naked eye moving through the hair; lice eggs are attached to the cat's fur like small white dots. In a brightly lit area, take a close look at your cat's fur. Lice are small insects, usually light gray or brown, with a body length of about 1 - 2 mm. If your cat is infected with lice, you can see the lice crawling slowly through the hair.

• Finding lice eggs

Lice eggs are usually in the form of small white particles that attach near the roots of your cat's hair. They look like tiny sesame seeds and tend to stick to the hair in clusters that cannot be easily shaken off.

III. Check the skin condition

• Reddened skin

Due to the bite of the lice, the cat's skin may appear reddened, especially where the lice gather more. The skin may have a slight inflammatory reaction and may feel slightly warmer than the surrounding skin when touched.

• Hair loss and baldness

In areas where lice have been parasitizing for a long period of time, hair loss may occur due to the cat's scratching and licking as well as damage to the hair follicles by the lice, and in severe cases, small patches of baldness may form.

How to Treat Lice in Cats?

• Medicinal bath

In the case of more lice on the cat, you can use a pet-specific lice removal shampoo for a medicated bath. This will kill the lice and prevent them from re-infesting the cat. When performing the medicated bath, you should ensure that the liquid fully touches your cat's skin and follow the instructions. 

Related: How to Give A Cat A Bath

• Wearing a lice collar

A delousing collar releases a continuous stream of medication that kills the lice on your cat's body. However, attention needs to be paid to the tightness of the collar to avoid the cat licking or biting the collar to avoid poisoning. Meanwhile, you should choose a collar that suits your cat's age and weight and use it according to the instructions. 

• Avoid contact with the source of infection

Try to avoid contact between the cat and other animals infected with lice, especially stray cats or pets that have not been dewormed. If there are multiple cats at home, deworming should be carried out at the same time to prevent lice from spreading among cats. 

• Use a pet-specific dewormer

Fipronil Spot On

Fipronil is a new dewormer that belongs to the phenylpyrazole family, indicated for the elimination of fleas on cats and dogs and dog lice.

View Product

You can use in vitro deworming medications that contain ingredients such as fipronil and selamectin, which are effective in killing lice in cats. Choose the right dosage of the medication based on your cat's age and weight, and use it as directed. For example, Follain sprays or drops, they can kill lice quickly and remain effective for a long time. 

• Environmental cleanliness

Lice not only parasitize cats, but may also lay eggs in their living environment. Therefore, the cat's living environment needs to be thoroughly cleaned, including the cat's nest, toys and carpets. Use pet-specific disinfectants or insecticides to ensure that there is no residue of lice and eggs in the environment. For example, use Fleuron's Environmental Killing Spray, which can effectively kill lice in the environment. 

• Regular grooming

Regular combing of your cat's fur can help to detect and remove lice. Use a specialized lice comb, which has closely spaced teeth to effectively comb lice out of the fur. If lice are found during the combing process, they should be immediately placed in soapy water to prevent them from escaping. 

Before using any medication or carrying out any treatment, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Meanwhile, cats should be dewormed externally on a regular basis to prevent re-infestation of lice. 

How to Deworm Your Cat?

1. Internal deworming

Choosing the right medicine: There are many brands of internal deworming medicines on the market, choose the applicable product according to the age, weight and health condition of your cat.
Medication method: Usually oral. The medication can be mixed in your cat's food or fed directly using a pet feeder.

• Deworming frequency

Kittens between 45 days and 6 months of age: deworming once a month.
Adult cats that go outside frequently: deworm once a month.
Cats that regularly consume raw meat: deworm once a month.
Adult cats that go out occasionally: deworming is recommended every 1 to 2 months.
Cats that basically do not go out: deworming is recommended every 2 to 3 months.
Cats that have been infected with parasites: deworming is recommended every half a month for 2 to 3 consecutive times to ensure complete removal of the parasites. 

2. External deworming

Selection of products: choose the appropriate external deworming medicine for cats.
How to use: Apply the drops to the skin on the back of the cat's neck, ensuring that the medication comes into direct contact with the skin. Avoid your cat licking the medication, which is usually absorbed and takes effect within a few hours.

• Deworming frequency

For cats over 2 months old: external deworming is recommended once a month, especially during the warm season and high flea season.
During winter: can be extended to once every 2 to 3 months as fleas and other parasites are less active during the cold season. 

Also Read: What Do Cat Fleas Look Like

• Internal and external parasites at the same time

Some medications can treat both internal and external parasites and are used in a similar way as above, depending on the type and brand of medication. They can be used correctly by following the directions on the manual or consulting your veterinarian. 

Precautions

• Before any deworming treatment, always read and follow the instructions for the medication and consult your veterinarian if necessary.
• Common side effects after deworming include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. If serious symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.
• Deworming is not recommended for cats in the following situations: cats that are too young, cats during pregnancy, cats that have just been bathed, cats that have just received vaccines, cats that are sick, and cats that have just arrived at home. 
• Regularly clean the cat's living environment, especially the cat's nest, cat litter box, and frequent activity areas, etc. Keeping the environment hygienic can reduce the breeding of parasites. 

When to See a Vet

If your cat shows persistent itching, hair loss, or visible lice, consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Lice infestations can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions like mites or allergies.

FAQs

Are cat lice and fleas the same?

Although cat lice and fleas are both common external parasites of cats, they belong to different insect species and have different forms and habits.

Flea: Flea is a collective name for insects of the order Flea, they are small, wingless and good at jumping. The flea's body around the side of the flat, brown to dark brown, hard body wall, long with many bristles, spines, pecten. Flea male and female insects are blood-sucking, and sensitive to temperature, only the host body temperature is normal before parasitism. If the body temperature of the host rises or falls after death, the flea will immediately transfer to other hosts to suck blood. 

Cat lice: Cat lice are a type of lice that only infects cats, they will not transfer from one species to another, which means that even if a cat is infected with cat lice, it will not be transmitted to humans. Cat lice have flat, six-legged bodies and no wings. The eggs of the cat louse attach to the cat's fur and appear to the naked eye as many small white dots. 

Can cats get lice from humans?

Cat lice are species-specific parasites that usually only infect cats and do not get lice from humans. The main types of lice on humans are head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. These lice have adapted to the human body environment, including body temperature, hair structure, and skin pH. For example, head lice are adapted to survive among human hair, and their claws can hold on to hair strands.
The lice on cats, on the other hand, are cat lice (Felicola subrostrata), which are specifically adapted to the physical conditions of cats, surviving and reproducing in their hair. Although there is some contact between cats and humans, due to the host specificity of the lice, even with physical contact, lice from humans will not transfer to cats and vice versa. For example, when people pet their cats, the lice on humans will not jump to the cat to find a new living environment.
Therefore, cats and humans do not transmit lice to each other. 

Can lice go away on their own?

Conclusion

Although lice in cats are rare, they can cause discomfort and irritation if not treated promptly. With proper care, hygiene, and preventive measures, you can keep your cat lice-free and healthy. If you notice any signs of lice, act quickly and consult your vet for effective treatment.

Share this guide with other cat owners to help them understand how to protect their pets from lice infestations!

Also Read: Can Cats Carry Lice​