Understanding Dog Lice | Treatment & Prevention

While lice is uncommon in dogs, your canine companion can still get infested even if they're well-cared for. That said, bathing, cleaning, and preventative measures can significantly decrease your dog's chances of getting lice.

This article will discuss identifying whether or not your dog has lice, how to prevent your dog from getting infected, and how to resolve the issue if it's already started. Note that scratching and persistent licking are symptoms of allergic reactions as well, so if you're not convinced that lice is the culprit, be sure to consider allergies as a cause of your dog's symptoms.

There are Two Key Species of Dog Lice 

Canine-sucking lice have specialized mouthparts that allow them to pierce the skin. This lice type is especially prevalent in long-haired dog breeds. During heavy infestation, the discomfort level they will cause to the dog is quite severe. Infestation can lead to hair loss, skin infections, itching, and anemia.

Chewing lice get their name from their mouthparts. Their mouth helps with chewing on hair, skin debris, or other organic matter. This species typically infests the head, tail, and neck region. There is another chewing louse, which is heterodoxus spiniger. It is common in domestic dogs, within the tropical regions. They can be more of a problem because they can attack any part of the host's body.

Symptoms of Lice Infestation in Dogs

Dogs infected with lice often show the following symptoms:

• Extreme itchiness, often leading to constant scratching by the dog
• Possible skin breakage and bleeding due to the intense scratching
• Hair loss in the affected areas
• Red, scabby, or inflamed skin at the sites of infestation
• White flakes signal the presence of lice eggs in the coat. The flakes resemble dandruff.

In case you suspect a lice infestation, consult a veterinarian. They will recommend proper diagnosis and lice treatment for dogs.

How Dogs Get Infested with Lice

Dogs get lice from a few common sources, but most commonly the cause is another dog. Lice don't actually get on dogs from grass, despite this being a common belief. 

Environments with high dog populations can be a huge challenge. These include animal shelters, dog parks, and kennels. It becomes easier for your dog to encounter infested animals.

Poor hygiene or grooming is another contributing factor. It creates the perfect environment for lice reproduction and infestation. It's important to avoid sharing grooming tools with other dogs since it can spread the lice.

Shared living space, bedding, toys, blankets, etc., allow for easy lice transfer from dog to dog. Finally, a lack of preventive measures can increase exposure. For instance, not using parasite control measures increases the likelihood of lice infestation.

Can Dogs Catch Lice from People?

No, dogs can't catch lice from people. Lice are host-specific, which means the species of lice on dogs is different from the one that people get. In other words, you can't give your dog lice, and vice versa.

Common Treatments for Dog Lice

Now that we have covered the question of can dogs carry lice, let's explore treatment options... 

Chemical products

Fipronil, selamectin, imidacloprid (Advantage), and permethrins are effective for dog lice treatment. They can be in topical or oral forms. The products work by killing lice and eggs. 

Gentle Shampoo

gentle shampoos and fine-toothed lice or flea combs are another lice treatment option. The combination of the two helps remove the lice. First, wash the dog using shampoo. Afterward, comb through the coat with a fine-tooth comb to remove the nits and lice. Do pay extra attention to any crevices in which the lice may be hiding. 

Cleaning Contaminated Areas

Washing the bedding in hot water is an effective way of killing lice. Also, vacuum any areas within the home that the dog likes to spend time in. Steam cleaning rugs and furniture will remove any lice eggs or lice.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Dog Lice?

Be patient and realistic about the treatment and recovery. In the best-case scenario, your dog will recover quickly. But others may take much longer. Be sure to stick to your veterinary appointments even if the issue seems to get better. Lice can linger for longer than you'd expect. 

Expect the treatment to resolve things anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks after your dog starts.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Lice

Use the following tips to ensure your dogs stay safe from tick infestations.

Year-round tick and flea prevention:

Take advantage of the special formulations to target these pesky critters. These formulations will also prove to be effective against lice. The vet will recommend the best treatment based on your dog's specific needs.

Keep Your Dog's Environment Clean:

Some situations may indeed be out of your control. For instance, you have little say about public spaces like parks. In that case, try and avoid going near large populations of dogs. 

If you have to use boarding facilities or kennels, check to ensure proper hygiene. Have the same at home through regular cleaning and sanitization. 

If you use grooming salons, be bold and enquire about the sanitization of their equipment. Shared tools are a common way of spreading lice. Stick to reputable establishments or do the grooming yourself. The advantage is that they will not stake their reputation by being unhygienic.