When it comes to parasites, fleas, ticks, and mites are usually the ones that get recognized immediately. However, lice can also be a problem for our cats. While not as widespread as other parasites, lice can still cause discomfort and irritation if left untreated.

What are Lice in Cats?

Cat lice are small, six-legged parasites specifically adapted to live on cats. Known scientifically as Felicola subrostratus, these lice are unique to cats and cannot live on humans or other pets. Unlike fleas, lice do not jump or fly. They crawl slowly through a cat’s fur, feeding on skin debris, hair, and sometimes blood.

They typically stay in one area of the body, and infestations can develop if left untreated.

Do Cats Get Lice?

Lice infestations in cats aren’t as common as other parasites like fleas, but they can still occur under certain conditions. Lice are generally spread through direct contact with an infected cat. This can happen when cats live in close quarters, such as shelters, catteries, or cat boarding facilities, especially if there is a lack of regular grooming or parasite prevention.

In addition to direct contact, lice can sometimes spread through shared items like grooming tools, bedding, or blankets if they’ve been in contact with an infested cat. Unlike fleas, lice do not survive long away from their host, but they can transfer briefly through shared environments. 

Cats with poor hygiene, elderly cats, or those with weakened immune systems are super vulnerable to infestations, as they may groom themselves less frequently. Because lice are species-specific, the type of lice that infests cats cannot transfer to humans or dogs, so there’s no need to worry about catching lice from your cat. 

Signs of Lice in Cats

Lice infestations in cats can cause various signs, all depending on the level of infestation present. Here are some of the common signs of lice in cats:

Excessive Scratching and Biting

Cats with a lice infestation can often feel very itchy, especially in the affected areas such as the neck, ears, and shoulders. When this happens, they’ll constantly have the urge to scratch and bite the affected areas. The behavior is typically normal due to the discomfort they feel, but if prolonged, it can cause injury and irritation.

Dry, Patchy, or Rough Coat

Lice can cause a cat’s coat to lose its natural sheen, resulting in a dull, rough, or uneven appearance. In some cases, patches of hair may appear thin or even fall out, especially if the cat has been scratching excessively. The constant itching and skin irritation often contribute to this change in coat quality.

Visible White Specs or Moving Insects

Lice and their eggs can be seen by our human eyes. The eggs, which resemble tiny white specks, are often attached to the base of individual hairs, while adult lice appear as small, pale insects. Nits are the lice eggs, and these may look like dandruff that do not flake off. Checking your cat’s fur closely, especially around the head and neck, can reveal these signs of lice.

Restlessness or Irritability

Persistent discomfort can make cats feel irritable or restless. If your usually calm cat seems on edge, is grooming excessively, or is showing signs of distress, it could be a response to the itchiness caused by lice. It may not want to do anything, even when given its favorite treat and toys.

Diagnosing Lice in Cats

Diagnosing cat lice is an important part of the whole treatment process. This step allows us to know which form of treatment will be the best for your cat, considering its health condition and other factors. Diagnosing cat lice is pretty straightforward. Here’s how we do it:

Physical Examination

Starting off, we’ll do a physical examination to carefully check your cat’s fur, focusing on common areas where lice tend to gather, like the neck, ears, and back. Using a fine-toothed comb or magnifying tool, they’ll look for adult lice and nits attached to hair shafts. Adult lice appear as small, pale insects, while nits look like tiny white specks stuck to individual hairs.

Skin Scraping

If necessary, skin scraping can be performed if the physical examination proves to be lacking. This process involves collecting a sample of your cat’s skin and fur to examine them under a microscope. Skin scraping is also useful for detecting additional parasites and issues, as lice may not be the only problem present.

Treatment for When Cats Get Lice

Once our vets have confirmed the presence of lice, it’s important to get started on treatment right away. Here are the common treatment options we have for cats when they get lice:

Topical Treatments

The most common lice treatment options for cats will make use of topical medications, just like certain flea treatments. These can be in the form of sprays or spot-on treatments, and can be directly applied on the skin to kill lice and their nits. 

Topical treatments usually need to be applied once or twice over a period, but this will depend based on our recommendations for treatment.

Medicated Shampoos

Our vets may suggest a medicated shampoo specifically formulated to treat lice in cats. These shampoos are generally gentle but effective in removing adult lice and dead skin cells. Shampooing should be done as directed, as overuse can dry out the skin. 

After shampoo treatment, it’s often necessary to follow up with topical medications for complete eradication. Both medicated shampoos and topical treatments are available at our vet pharmacy, making it easier for you to get the best products for your cat after a checkup.

Supportive Medications

In some cases, secondary infections and irritations might happen as a result of the flea infestation. That’s why we’ll recommend the appropriate medications to help give your cat relief. This will involve antibiotics, pain-relief medications, and other medicines that can be used to help your cat with its current condition and other potential problems.

Lice Combs

Use a fine-toothed comb to groom your cat. By doing so, you’re removing the lice and their nits from your cat’s body, which can benefit cats, especially those with longer hair. Gently comb through small sections of fur, paying close attention to areas around the head, neck, and back. 

Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to do it at the clinic so you can do this at home. While this method does not directly kill lice, it’s an additional step that helps support your cat’s other treatments and removes the visible lice.

Preventing Lice in Cats

Even though lice infestations are not as common as other parasites such as fleas and ticks, it’s still important to prevent them from causing stress and discomfort to your cat. Here’s how we can prevent lice in cats: 

Regular Grooming

Grooming your cat regularly allows you to monitor their coat for any unusual signs, like flakes, nits, or adult lice. Brushing not only keeps their fur healthy but also helps you spot any skin issues early, so you can address potential problems before they escalate.

Routine Parasite Prevention

Many flea prevention treatments also provide protection against lice. Talk with us about choosing a monthly topical or oral treatment that targets a range of parasites, including lice. These preventatives are particularly helpful in keeping your best friends protected from the harmful effects of parasites, such as infections, irritation, and dangerous diseases.

Home Maintenance

Regularly cleaning areas where your cat spends time, such as bedding, blankets, and scratching posts, helps prevent parasites from lingering. Wash your cat’s items regularly in hot water and use pet-safe cleaner on floors and furniture. This can further reduce the risk of lice and other pests staying inside your home.

Limit Contact with Other Cats

If your cat interacts with other cats at a boarding facility, grooming center, or even around the neighborhood, there’s a higher risk of picking up lice or other parasites. When possible, minimize contact with unknown animals and always check your cat’s coat after interactions with other pets.

Routine Veterinary Checkups

Regular vet visits are super helpful in preventing lice and other health issues. A routine exam allows us to check to check for any early signs of parasites, skin conditions, or other concerns that may not be immediately visible.

In addition to this, we can also help you with improving your cat’s life. From nutritional to behavioral counseling, our team can help you create detailed plans and strategies to make your cat happier and healthier.

Conclusion

While lice infestations in cats are not that serious when compared to other types of parasites, they can still cause pain, discomfort, and stress for our best friends. Understanding the signs and causes of lice can help you know the next steps to take when it comes to your cat’s happiness.

With our help, we can provide you with the right treatment plan, regular grooming services, and preventive care measures to keep your cat healthy and happy all the time. Let’s show our love for our cats by keeping them safe and protected from lice.