What is Lice?
Lice are not as common in cats as fleas and ticks, and they cannot be transferred between different species. However, the presence of lice can lead to skin disease, tapeworm infestation, and other health problems if left untreated.
The lice found on cats are not the same type of lice found on people, but they can still cause irritation by chewing on the skin or sucking blood. You may notice your cat scratching or biting the area that has been affected by lice. The affected area may include the head, ears, shoulders, groin, tail, and anus. The cat’s fur may become matted due to excessive scratching.
Lice Average Cost
From 543 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Lice in Cats
You can easily spot lice on cats by parting the fur and looking for nits, or eggs, and mature lice on the skin. There is a possibility that you will see the lice moving through the fur. Other symptoms of lice in cats are as follows:
- Excessive biting or scratching
- Fur loss or matting
- Small white or brown spots on the fur and skin
- Visible parasites
Causes of Lice in Cats
Lice cannot be transferred from a person or another species to cats, but there are several situations that can lead to the transmission of this uncomfortable condition from one cat to another.
- Living in unsanitary conditions
- Being in crowded areas such as shelters
- Inability to groom for any reason
- Contact with another cat suffering from lice
- Contact with the belongings of another cat with lice
Diagnosis of Lice in Cats
The presence of lice can be confirmed by inspecting the cat’s fur for small white or brown spots that indicate immature or adult lice or their eggs. A veterinarian can provide an official diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as fleas, ticks, and allergies.
Expect your veterinarian to ask questions about the cat’s medical history, excessive scratching, and other symptoms. Your veterinarian will diagnose the lice by parting the fur to look for the insects, which can usually be seen feeding or moving on the body. They will also look for nits so they can recommend the right form of treatment for your cat.
Your veterinarian may diagnose the type of lice by placing the nits and lice under a microscope. Your cat may be suffering from biting or sucking lice, which both cause irritation when they feed on the body. A chewing louse has large mouthparts, whereas that of a sucking louse is narrow.
It is recommended to talk to your veterinarian before treating your cat for lice. Your veterinarian can recommend a treatment that is both safe and effective for your cat. This is why it is important to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice the symptoms or lice on your furry friend.
Treatment of Lice in Cats
While it may seem difficult to treat lice on people, lice in cats can be treated easily once your veterinarian makes the diagnosis. Your veterinarian may have several suggestions for treating the lice. It is important to follow the instructions given by your veterinarian. Remember, it may take more than one application to get rid of the lice and their nits.
Isolating Your Cat
This is only a necessary step if you have more than one cat in your home and is needed to prevent transferring the lice to another cat. The best thing you can do is keep the affected cat in another room during treatment. Isolating your cat also reduces the amount of cleaning required to eliminate the lice.
Medicated Treatment
Your veterinarian will recommend an insecticide treatment for your cat, which may include a medicated wash or shampoo. It is best to talk to your veterinarian so you can make sure the medication is safe for your cat.
Treatment of The Home
You can also ask your veterinarian to recommend a product to get rid of the lice around the house. There are various sprays and powders designed to eliminate the nits and lice from your home. This is an important step.
Shaving The Fur
Your veterinarian will only recommend shaving the fur if it is badly matted. It should not be needed to treat most infestations.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Lice in Cats
It is important to schedule a follow-up appointment so your veterinarian can make sure the treatment is working and not causing a negative reaction in your cat.
You can prevent the problem from reoccurring by treating your home for the nits and lice. Start by cleaning cats’ grooming products, bedding, and other items. You should also clean their favorite spots, such as the couch or your bed.
It is also important to help your cat if they cannot groom themselves, which you can do by bathing and brushing their fur frequently. Treating and eliminating the lice can prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future.
Lice Average Cost
From 543 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Top
Lice Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Idk
Mulon
3 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
She Keep Itching And Biting Herself
I got my cat yesterday. The vet won't take her because she is too young. I found three small black bugs around by her neck.Everytime i go to touch them they run. I tried flea brush and they won't come off. I even tried flea bath stuff and they are still there. They run by her belly area then they go back by the neck.
June 9, 2018
2 Recommendations
You should apply a topical spot on treatment for cats against external parasites which you may ask the Veterinarian for (like the one linked below) or get an appropriate product from a pet shop suitable for age and weight. Without examining the bugs, I cannot say what they are specifically. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.advocate-spot-on.com/en/for-cats/faqs/
June 10, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
???
kiddo
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching, Patches Of Hair Missing
How do you know whether your cat has mites or chewing lice? my cats ears are clean but a couple days ago, my cat came home with his neck looking likefile:///C:/Users/kryssy/Pictures/2018-05-31/011.jpg & that was after giving him a bath with Adams flea & tick cleansing shampoo that states it kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks, & lice
June 1, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I am not able to access the picture that you sent, unfortunately. If Kiddo goes outside, there are a number of things that can happen, including parasites other than fleas, trauma, and bacterial or fungal infections. Since each of those are treated quite differently, it would be best to have him examined by a veterinarian.
June 1, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
mixed
Shadow
Three Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching Dry Skin
I found a kitten 3 months ago he was an orphan he's a house cat now these past few days I've found something on his fur that looks like salt it's not bad but I was wondering if if could be lice or nits and what can I do cause I can't get him to a vet at the moment he scratches but not alot but I did change his litter I was using potting soil until I could get litter
May 10, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Kittens are very prone to parasites, and he may have lice, a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, or it may be nothing to worry about. I'm not aware of any home remedies for parasites, especially since we don't know really what we are dealing with. Many veterinarians offer a 'free first exam' that would allow you to have Shadow examined, as he needs vaccinations as well. I hope that all goes well for him!
May 11, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cat
Rascal
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itchiness
Why can't my cat get rid of lice ? He is a rescue cat, was found in a live trap near death, I adopted him, I have tryed tropical use, sulphur baths, shampoos, and still has it, plz help
Feb. 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Lice are relatively easy to get rid of, with the right medication. If you haven't had your veterinarian look at Rascal, it would be worth doing so, as they will be able to prescribe the right medication to help get rid of the lice.
Feb. 16, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Not sure
Dobby
10 Weeks
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking
Scratching
We have two cats, one a kitten. The kitten is excessively scratching and we can't work out if it is lice or not. We believed it to be fleas and even bought flea spray but I recently found tiny black and white eggs where the kitten should be sleeping. I have tried to remove the bugs but they are fast and Dobby has a very long coat. We wanted some advise before spending money on a vet, thanks!
Dec. 28, 2017
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without examining Dobby, I can't comment on what the parasites might be, but if you finding eggs, that is very likely the cause of the scratching - the good news is that that should be easy to resolve. You will need to see a veterinarian to determine the type of bugs, and the appropriate medication to use to get rid of them - she is due for vaccinations and deworming, regardless, so you should be able to get all of that taken care of with one visit. I hope everything goes well!
Dec. 28, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Lice Average Cost
From 543 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
