When you think of itchy and annoying pests on your dog, fleas and ticks are usually the ones that come to mind. But do you know that lice are also an enemy of dogs?
Dog lice are small, wingless parasites that live on the fur and coat of dogs. They feed on skin debris and blood. Unlike fleas, lice don’t jump. They crawl on the surface, moving slowly from one area to another.
They can generally be seen with the naked eye. These parasites look like small and pale insects clinging to the fur and skin of dogs. They can also lay tiny eggs called nits. These nits can resemble dandruff but are firmly attached to the body.
Dog lice are also species-specific, meaning that dog lice can only affect dogs. In this post, we’ll discuss more about what dog lice are, and we’ll end by telling you how to prevent them.
What Is the Life Cycle of Dog Lice?
The lice in dogs go through a three-stage life cycle. They start as eggs, grow into nymphs, and develop into full adults. It all starts with the female lice, as they lay tiny, white eggs that stick firmly into a dog’s hair shafts.
The eggs, or nits, hatch in about 1 to 2 weeks. Once they hatch, they are now called nymphs, or young lice. Here, they begin feeding on the dog’s skin or blood and will mature into adults after 2 to 3 weeks. Adults can live for up to 30 days, continuing the cycle if left untreated.
This life cycle matters since the eggs are generally more resistant to treatment compared to adult lice. So, even if the adult dog lice have been eliminated by the medicated shampoo or topical treatments, the nits can survive and hatch later.
What Are the Types of Dog Lice?
Dog lice are generally categorized into two types: chewing and sucking lice.
Chewing Lice
Chewing lice, or Trichodectes canis, are lice that feed on the skin debris of dogs. This type of lice is usually the more common of the two. These lice cause irritation and inflammation by hooking themselves into the surface of your dog’s skin and feeding on dead skin cells, skin oils, and debris.
Chewing lice are also known to be carriers of tapeworms. If your dog accidentally swallows infected lice while grooming or scratching, then the tapeworm can infest the intestines.
Sucking Lice
Sucking lice, on the other hand, are lice that feed on blood. While they’re less common, they’re more serious than chewing lice. Linognathus setosus are lice that pierce the skin of your dog to feed on its blood using their needle-like mouthparts.
They can cause serious issues in dogs, such as anemia. Puppies are usually the ones affected by this type of dog lice.
How Can Dogs Catch Lice?
Dog lice infestations usually come from three things: direct contact, contaminated items, and close environments.
Dogs can catch lice through direct contact with an infected dog or through shared items with infected dogs, like bedding, grooming tools, or collars. Lice cannot fly or jump, so they spread primarily through close contact.
Dogs in environments like dog shelters, boarding facilities, daycares, pet stores, and dog parks are at risk of a lice infestation. The risk is high because dogs frequently interact within these close spaces. This is also common in households with multiple dogs.
Lice are generally more common in dogs with poor hygiene and compromised immune systems. Dogs with long hair are also prone. Even though lice can only survive for a short time without a host, they may temporarily cling to objects that come in contact with an infected dog.
Do Dog Lice Spread to Humans?
No, the lice in dogs cannot spread to humans because these parasites are species-specific, meaning they can only affect dogs. These lice are adapted to only live on the dog’s fur and feed on its blood. This is the same case for human lice, as these cannot affect other animals.
How to Know if Your Dog Has Lice?
Lice infestations in dogs can be noticed in a few signs. Here are the common indicators you can expect to see:
Itching and Irritation. Dogs with lice feel intense itchiness and irritation on their skin. This can make dogs scratch excessively, which also leads to more problems. Some may even bite or chew at their skin.
Dry and Rough Coat. A lice infestation can also make the coats of dogs dry and rough. This can worsen as time passes by, especially since the dog lice damage hair shafts and follicles.
Visible Insects or Nits. Adult lice appear as pale or tan specks moving along the skin, while nits, the eggs, are often tightly attached to individual hairs close to the skin. They may look like small white grains and won’t easily flake off like dandruff.
Patches of Hair Loss. Dogs with lice sometimes lose fur in small patches due to intense scratching. Hair loss often shows up where the lice are concentrated, especially around the ears, neck, and lower back. This can worsen over time.
Redness or Inflamed Skin. Lice bites and scratching can lead to red and inflamed skin. You may notice red or sore spots where your dog has been itching. In more severe cases, the skin can experience secondary infections when the situation is left untreated.
Lethargy. In severe lice infestations, especially those involving sucking lice, dogs can feel unusually tired or lethargic. Some may not even want to engage in games and playtime.
Restlessness and Irritation. The constant irritation the canine lice bring makes dogs restless and irritable.
How Do Vets Diagnose Lice in Dogs?
Here’s the process for checking for lice in your dog.
Physical Inspection
Our vets will start with a physical examination of your dog’s skin and coat. By doing so, we’ll be able to take a look at the symptoms your dog has. We’ll part sections of your dog’s fur in order to take a look at areas where the lice can be commonly found. These will be at the neck, shoulders, and tail.
While lice are tiny, they can be seen with the naked eye. We also have tools that help us locate these parasites more easily, allowing for a quick and easy diagnosis.
Microscopic Examination
In addition to a physical examination, we’ll also get samples of your dog’s fur or skin scrapings. We can also use tape to collect lice from the fur. These samples will be sent to our in-house laboratory, where they will be analyzed under a microscope.
This way, we can accurately identify the type of lice and nits found in your dog’s coat.
Dog Lice Treatment
Once the diagnosis is complete, we can proceed to the treatment process. Treating your dog’s lice problem consists of a series of steps that must be followed in order to continue your dog’s protection. Here’s how we do it:
Topical Treatments
We will prescribe several topical medications that work effectively against lice. These medications contain ingredients such as fipronil and selmectin. They can be easily applied on the back, usually just on the shoulder blades. This will prevent them from licking the medication.
Topical sprays can also be used. Our vets will provide a treatment schedule to guide you on your dog's recovery at home. This will be done to make sure no lice remain.
Medicated Shampoos
Lice-specific medicated shampoos help remove adult lice and soothe irritated skin. Shampoos with ingredients like pyrethrin are designed to kill lice, while others contain moisturizing agents to help restore your dog’s coat.
Our pet dermatologists will guide you on how often to bathe your dog with these shampoos to avoid drying out the skin. In some cases, we’ll recommend shaving your dog so we can get better access to the lice and nits.
Fine-Toothed Lice Comb
A fine-toothed comb is the perfect tool for removing lice and nits, especially in breeds with long hair. We do this by gently combing your dog’s fur in sections, paying special attention to the ears, neck, and base of the tail.
After each section, we dip the comb in warm, soapy water to eliminate the lice and eggs collected. At the clinic, we will teach you how to do it at home.
Oral Medications
When it comes to severe canine lice infestations, we will recommend oral medications. These work to eliminate the lice from the inside. Oral meds come in pills or a chewable form and are generally used when topical treatments aren’t sufficient.
Are There Natural Remedies for Dog Lice?
Generally, no. Lice should be treated with professional care, as natural remedies only aim to help with recovery and alleviate the symptoms. They don’t actually eliminate the lice and their eggs. However, you can use a few home remedies to help with your dog’s main lice treatment.
One of these is coconut oil. This ingredient can help soothe irritated skin and reduce itching. It can serve as a moisturizer, which will help dogs feel better.
Vet Tips: How to Prevent Lice in Dogs
A good way to protect your dog from these parasites is by preventing them. Here are some ways to do it:
Groom Your Dog Regularly
Regularly bathing your dog is a great way to maintain its coat while also protecting it from lice. Brushing your dog’s coat helps you keep an eye out for any signs of pests, irritation, or unusual skin changes.
You can check out our dog grooming services, so we can help provide a deep clean of your dog’s body.
Provide Routine Preventives
Many flea prevention products also provide protection against lice. Plan your dog’s protection with our vets, as we can provide preventive medicines against lice. This is perfect for dogs who love spending time outdoors, in dog parks, and in boarding facilities.
Clean Your Dog’s Home
Be sure to clean your dog's surroundings and things. Vacuum bedding and pillows, sanitize toys, and clean food and water bowls. A good cleaning routine can effectively keep your dog clean and free from lice.
Avoid Sharing Items
Lice can sometimes be transferred through contaminated items. This means that households with multiple dogs must be cautious. Be sure not to share items like grooming tools, bedding, and pillows.
“Protect your dog against lice and you can save them a lot of itch and discomfort.”
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Final Thoughts
Dogs can catch lice, and it causes them a lot of stress and discomfort. Recognizing the signs of lice allows us to help our dogs and provide the comfort they deserve. Work with our clinic, and we’ll help you get started.
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