Treating Lice in Dogs

While head lice can’t be passed from one species to another, it can be transferred from one infested human to another. Head lice are transmitted from person to person through direct head-to-head contact. Even if a person has perfect hygiene, he or she can still pass the infestation onto another human. This is one reason why you should never blame the dog for having head lice. Fortunately, treating lice in dogs doesn’t need to be a major ordeal.

Lice have three life stages. First, they start as nits. Lice eggs are tiny white oblongs that attach to the hair follicle. These are sometimes mistaken for dandruff. In a week or two, the nits hatch into lice that are called nymphs. These are much harder to detect than full-grown adult lice.

If you find your dog has head lice, it’s important to start sanitizing its environment. Make sure it doesn’t spend time outdoors in a filthy environment or with animals that are sick. Also, keep your dog well-fed by feeding it a high-quality diet and getting regular veterinary checkups. Another way to protect your dog from head lice is to prevent them from coming into contact with wildlife.

Although lice aren’t transmitted from person to person, the presence of an infestation of head lice can make your pet suffer from a variety of symptoms. Your dog may experience itching, lack of sleep, and even blood loss. Fortunately, this infection is curable if treated promptly. If you see any of these symptoms in your dog, it may be time to take your dog to the veterinarian for lice treatment.