Will Head Lice Live on Dogs?

While you might not think of your dog as a possible host for head lice, dogs are a potential source of infection. Infestations can cause intense itching and loss of sleep, especially in young animals. Severe cases may also lead to blood loss. Though this is usually only a problem in young animals, you should consider taking your dog to a veterinarian for treatment.

Lice are wingless insects that live on human and dog hair. They reproduce by laying eggs on the hair shafts. After egg laying, the lice develop into nymphs and then adults. This process may take two to four weeks. If your dog has a recent infestation, you should keep an eye out for the nits and clean your dog’s hair.

Insecticides are an option, but the chemicals in these products will only kill adult lice and not the eggs. You should dispose of the bedding and any dog food that your dog ate and watered. You should also place dishes in a freezer for a day to kill the eggs. Lastly, you should wash and disinfect all dog brushes, collars, and sleeping pads to make sure your dog is lice-free.

Fortunately, there are some treatments available that will help eliminate the problem before it spreads to your child. One way is to regularly wash your child’s pet, along with their pillowcase, comb, and hairbrush. This will kill the head lice before it gets into other kids. While you might think that your child won’t get head lice after playing with your dog, you should always wash your child’s bedding and pillowcase before letting them touch your child’s head.