How to identify lice on a cat? - briefly
Inspect the coat for tiny, gray‑brown insects that crawl rather than jump, focusing on the neck, base of the tail, and behind the ears, and look for small white nits glued to hair shafts and signs of itching or dandruff‑like skin flakes.
How to identify lice on a cat? - in detail
Detecting lice infestations in cats requires careful observation of the animal’s skin, fur, and behavior. The parasite appears as a small, wing‑less insect about 1–2 mm long, typically gray‑brown or reddish, and moves quickly through the coat.
First, examine the cat’s body in a well‑lit area. Part the hair with a fine comb or your fingers, starting at the neck and moving toward the tail, chest, and hindquarters. Look for:
- Live insects crawling on the fur surface.
- Small, oval, beige‑to‑brown bodies attached to hair shafts.
- Dark, speck‑like droppings (fecal pellets) resembling pepper grains.
- Pale, raised patches of skin where lice have fed, often accompanied by mild redness or scaling.
Second, assess the cat’s scratching and grooming habits. Increased scratching, especially around the head, ears, and base of the tail, may indicate irritation caused by lice. Excessive grooming can lead to hair loss in localized areas, producing bald spots with a rough texture.
Third, use a magnifying lens (10×–30×) for a closer view. Lice have a flattened body, six legs, and clawed tarsi that cling to hair. Unlike fleas, they do not jump; they walk or climb, so they remain on the animal rather than falling off onto bedding.
Fourth, collect a sample if uncertainty remains. Place a few hair strands with visible insects in a sealed container and send them to a veterinary laboratory for identification. Accurate species determination guides appropriate treatment.
Finally, differentiate lice from other parasites. Fleas are larger (2–4 mm), jump, and leave small black specks (flea dirt) that dissolve in water. Mites are microscopic and cause intense itching with crusted skin, but are not visible without a microscope. Recognizing these distinctions prevents misdiagnosis and ensures the cat receives the correct antiparasitic regimen.