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.

Dog lice can generally be seen with the naked eye. These parasites look like small and pale insects clinging onto 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 can typically be seen with the naked eye, appearing as small, pale insects clinging to the hair or skin. Lice also lay tiny eggs, or nits, on hair shafts, which can resemble dandruff but are firmly attached and won’t easily flake away.

Types of Dog Lice

There are two main types of lice in dogs. Both are specific to dogs and cannot be transmitted to other animals. These two primary types of dog lice are: 

1. Chewing Lice

Chewing lice, or Trichodectes canis, are lice that feed on the skin debris of dogs. They do so by hooking themselves into the surface of your dog’s skin and feeding on dead skin cells. Doing so can cause irritation and inflammation. Chewing lice are also known to be carriers of tapeworms.

2. Sucking Lice

Sucking lice, on the other hand, are lice that feed on blood. Linognathus setosus are lice that pierce the skin of your dog to feed on its blood. They can cause serious issues in dogs, such as anemia, and puppies are some of its most common victims.

Signs of Lice in Dogs

Lice infestations in dogs can be noticed in a few signs. Here are the signs that show your dog has lice: 

Itching and Irritation

A lice infestation can tempt dogs to scratch their skin, causing irritation and other significant skin problems. Dogs who feel the irritation also tend to bite at these areas, showing how much the lice has caused them stress and discomfort. 

Dry and Rough Coat

Dogs that have a lice infestation are observed to have a dry and rough coat. The lice present in their bodies can irritate their skin, causing dogs to scratch and bite their skin. When this happens, they also worsen the effects of the lice, causing drier and rougher skin.

Visible Insects or Nits

Lice and their eggs are small but visible to the eye. 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. If the lice remain untreated, hair loss can become more widespread.

Redness or Inflamed Skin

Lice bites and scratching can lead to irritated 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. Because of the discomfort and stress they feel, dogs may not want to play around more often and would rather lie down.

Anemia

When sucking lice are in large numbers, they can cause anemia in dogs, especially in puppies and younger dogs. Some of the signs of anemia in dogs are pale gums, weakness, and increased fatigue.

Can Dogs Catch Lice?

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 due to close quarters and frequent interaction with other dogs.

Lice infestations are more likely in dogs with poor hygiene, weakened immune systems, or long-haired coats where lice can more easily hide and reproduce. Although 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. 

Regular cleaning of your dog’s living environment and grooming tools can help minimize the risk of transmission.

Since dog lice are specific to just dogs, they can only survive on dogs and cannot be transmitted to humans or other household animals like cats. However, if you have multiple dogs in the household, it’s wise to check all of them to see if one dog is infested, as lice spreads easily among dogs.

Diagnosing Lice in Dogs

Diagnosing lice in dogs is important so our vets can help your dog recover from the irritation and discomfort it feels. Here’s an overview of what we do to diagnose lice in dogs:

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 by the naked eye. We also have tools that help us locate these parasites more easily, allowing for a quick and easy diagnosis.

Skin Sampling

In addition to a physical examination, we’ll also get samples of your dog’s fur or skin scrapings. We’ll place these samples under a microscope so we can accurately identify the type of lice and nits present in your dog’s coat. 

Treatment for Lice in Dogs

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 are the treatment options we recommend: 

Topical Treatments

With the help of our veterinary pharmacy, we have access to several topical medications that are effective against lice, similar to those used for fleas. These medications containing ingredients like fipronil or selamectin are applied to the skin, killing both adult lice and their eggs. 

Typically, these treatments are applied routinely over a few weeks to ensure any remaining lice are removed and your dog stays protected.

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.

Fine-Toothed Lice Comb

A fine-toothed lice or flea comb can help physically remove the lice and its nits from your dog’s fur. This method is particularly useful for dogs with dense coats. Gently comb through the fur and keep monitoring commonly affected areas such as the neck.

Also, make sure to clean and rinse the comb in soapy water to eliminate any lice or nits removed during combing.

Oral Medications

In severe cases, vets may prescribe oral medications that work from the inside out to kill lice. These medications may be given in pill or chew form and are generally used when topical treatments alone aren’t sufficient. 

Oral medications target lice systemically and are often combined with other treatments for thorough eradication.

Preventing Lice in Dogs

Preventing lice in dogs is always helpful to avoid the harmful effects of a lice infestation. Here are some times to prevent lice in dogs:

Regular Grooming

Regular grooming is a great way to maintain your dog’s 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.

Monthly Parasite Prevention

Many flea prevention products also provide protection against lice. Talk with your vet about using a topical or oral monthly treatment to protect your dog from a range of parasites. This preventive measure is especially helpful for dogs that go to boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons.

Clean Your Dog’s Home

Keep your dog’s bedding, blankets, and favorite spots clean by washing them in hot water and soap every few weeks. Make sure to regularly clean your house, especially in areas where your dog loves to stay. Maintaining a clean space is essential in reducing the risk of lice transmission.

Avoid Sharing Items

Lice can sometimes transfer through items shared by dogs. If you have multiple dogs, it’s a good idea to give each their own grooming tools and bedding, especially if one dog has been treated for lice recently. 

If you use a groomer, ensure that tools are disinfected between uses to minimize the risk of transmission.

Conclusion

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.