Why does a cat have lice? - briefly
Cats get lice through direct contact with infested animals or contaminated bedding, where the parasites feed on the cat’s blood and skin debris. Veterinary‑prescribed insecticidal shampoos or spot‑on treatments eliminate the infestation.
Why does a cat have lice? - in detail
Cats can become hosts for lice when they encounter an infected animal or contaminated environment. The most common feline ectoparasites are Felicola subrostratus (the cat chewing louse) and Trichodectes canis (the dog chewing louse), both of which feed on skin debris and blood. Infestation occurs through direct contact with another infested animal, shared grooming tools, bedding, or by moving through areas where lice eggs (nits) have accumulated.
Risk factors include:
- Overcrowded shelters or multi‑cat households where close contact is frequent.
- Poor grooming habits in older, ill, or overweight cats that cannot maintain coat cleanliness.
- Recent introduction of a new cat without quarantine or ectoparasite treatment.
- Outdoor access to environments inhabited by stray or feral cats.
Typical signs of a lice problem are:
- Intense itching leading to scratching, hair loss, and skin lesions.
- Visible small, grayish insects moving through the fur, especially near the neck, head, and tail base.
- Presence of nits attached to hair shafts, appearing as tiny white or brown specks.
- Secondary bacterial infection from self‑trauma.
Diagnosis relies on a thorough physical examination and microscopic identification of adult lice or nits collected from the coat. Dermatologists may also perform a skin scrape to rule out mites.
Effective treatment protocols include:
- Topical insecticidal shampoos or sprays containing pyrethrins, selamectin, or imidacloprid, applied according to label instructions.
- Systemic oral medications (e.g., lufenuron or milbemycin oxime) for severe infestations.
- Environmental decontamination: washing bedding at >60 °C, vacuuming carpets, and applying residual insecticide to the living area.
- Re‑treatment after 10–14 days to eliminate newly hatched lice before they mature.
Prevention strategies focus on maintaining a clean environment, regular grooming, and routine ectoparasite prophylaxis, especially when cats interact with other animals or are housed in communal settings. Monitoring new arrivals with a quarantine period and a quick ectoparasite check reduces the likelihood of introducing lice into a household.