How do lice look on kittens? - briefly
Lice on kittens appear as tiny, elongated, translucent‑to‑pale gray insects about 1–2 mm long, visible as moving specks near the hair shafts. They gather in dense patches along the back, neck, and tail, showing up as small white or tan dots against the fur.
How do lice look on kittens? - in detail
Lice that infest young cats are tiny, wing‑less insects measuring 1–2 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, allowing them to move easily through the dense fur. The dorsal surface is generally pale gray to off‑white, sometimes with a faint brownish tint that matches the surrounding coat. Legs end in sharp claws designed to grasp individual hair shafts.
Typical locations on a kitten include the head, neck, and behind the ears, where the hair is shorter and easier to access. The abdomen and base of the tail may also harbor insects, especially if the animal scratches frequently, creating open areas for the parasites to settle.
Key visual cues for detection:
- Small, elongated bodies that appear as moving specks when the kitten is brushed.
- Light‑colored, translucent insects that become more visible against darker fur.
- Presence of tiny, white or yellowish eggs (nits) attached firmly to hair shafts, often near the skin.
- Irritated skin with reddened patches or crusty lesions where lice feed.
Behaviorally, the parasites are active mainly during the kitten’s rest periods, crawling slowly across the coat. They feed on skin debris and, in some species, on blood, which can cause localized itching and increased grooming.
Recognition relies on close inspection of the fur, preferably under bright light or with a magnifying lens. Removing a few specimens for microscopic examination confirms species identification, distinguishing cat‑specific lice from other ectoparasites such as fleas or mites.