What do cats get: fleas or lice? - briefly
Cats are commonly afflicted with fleas, whereas lice are rare and affect only a small proportion of felines. Effective parasite control therefore focuses primarily on flea prevention and treatment.
What do cats get: fleas or lice? - in detail
Cats can be infested by two distinct groups of external parasites: fleas and chewing lice. Both are common, but they differ in biology, transmission, clinical signs, and control measures.
Fleas are wingless insects that feed on blood. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) dominates domestic environments. Adult fleas jump onto a host, lay eggs that fall off into the surroundings, and develop through larval and pupal stages before emerging as adults. Flea infestations often produce intense itching, visible black specks (flea dirt) on the skin, and can transmit tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) and bacterial agents such as Bartonella henselae.
Chewing lice belong to the order Phthiraptera, specifically the suborder Mallophaga. The most frequent species in cats is Felicola subrostratus. Lice are wingless, lack jumping ability, and move by crawling. They spend their entire life cycle on the host, laying eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts. Infestations cause mild irritation, dandruff‑like scaling, and a “sandpaper” feeling when the animal is groomed. Lice do not serve as vectors for zoonotic pathogens.
Diagnostic distinctions are straightforward. Fleas are identified by their size (2–4 mm), jumping behavior, and presence of flea dirt. Lice are detected by close inspection of the coat, revealing live insects or nits attached to hair shafts. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings can confirm either parasite.
Effective treatment requires targeted products. For fleas, fast‑acting adulticides (e.g., imidacloprid, fipronil) applied topically or orally, combined with environmental control (vacuuming, washing bedding, insect growth regulators) interrupt the life cycle. For lice, insecticidal shampoos or spot‑on formulations containing pyrethrins, selamectin, or ivermectin eradicate the parasites; because lice remain on the host, environmental measures are less critical.
Prevention strategies differ. Monthly flea preventatives (topical or oral) maintain a barrier against new infestations. Regular grooming reduces the likelihood of lice establishment, especially in multi‑cat households where direct contact spreads the parasites. Maintaining clean bedding and limiting outdoor exposure also lower flea pressure.
In summary, cats may acquire either blood‑sucking fleas or chewing lice; each requires specific identification, therapeutic agents, and preventive protocols to ensure effective control.