Do Head Lice Live on Dogs?

It is important to know that head lice can’t be transferred from one species to another. The only way for head lice to transfer from one human to another is through direct head-to-head contact with another infested person. However, even if a person has perfect hygiene, he or she may still have head lice. While there’s no way to guarantee that your dog won’t get infected, it’s best to be prepared. Luckily, treating head lice is not as difficult as it may sound.

Lice are flat, wingless insects that live inside the hair of birds and mammals. They have hook-like claws on the end of their legs, which are adapted to the size of the host animal’s hair shaft. The lice survive on blood and other body debris from their host animal.

Lice are often hard to spot in dogs, but you can do several things to help your dog get rid of them. To start, you should wash and sanitize the dog’s bedding. Another effective treatment is using veterinarian-prescribed topicals or medical shampoo. Then, you need to replace the sleeping pad and collar.

You can also treat the dog with topical insecticides. You can get these from your vet and apply them directly to the dog’s skin and fur. These treatments will kill adult lice and prevent future infestations. You can apply them monthly or bi-weekly for four to six weeks. You should remember to apply them on the hair and skin, and repeat the process until the lice are gone.