Does Head Lice Affect Dogs?
WouterYou might be wondering, “Does head lice affect dogs?” If your dog is always around people, there is a good chance that it may have picked up the parasite. Lice need a human host with a body temperature between 98.6 and 102.5 degrees to thrive. Since dogs do not have these temperatures, they are not a good host for head lice.
If you think your dog might have lice, you must do several things immediately. First, you should clean the bedding. You should dispose of all used bedding and wash it thoroughly. You should also put the dog’s dishes in a freezer for one day. This will kill any louse eggs. Also, make sure to wash your dog’s brushes regularly and replace the dog’s sleeping pad. If your dog’s infestation is severe, you should take him to the vet for treatment.
Another way to prevent lice from affecting your dog is to avoid exposing your dog to infected human hair. Although human hair may transfer the pests to dogs, head lice cannot be passed from human to human. This is because lice are unable to live below the human head. When infested, human hair will be shed by the infected human, but the dead ones will land on your dog within a day.
Insecticides are another effective way to get rid of head lice. Insecticides like fipronil, imidacloprid, and selamectin can kill the lice. However, be aware that insecticides are toxic to small pets and should not be used unless your veterinarian recommends them. You can also use Revolution, an anti-lice shampoo, which can be applied every two weeks for three consecutive treatments.
