Most lice are of the biting or chewing type, including the cat louse (Felicola subrostrata). Lice are most often seen on older, longhaired cats that are no longer able to groom themselves. With the widespread use of monthly flea and tick preventive treatments, lice infestations are now rare in cats and dogs.
How do I know if my cat has lice?
Symptoms of Lice on Cats
- Frequent scratching or chewing of themselves.
- Fur coat that is not well groomed, appears generally unkempt.
- Off-white specks seen on cat fur, especially on the head and shoulders.
- Scratches or irritation and redness on the skin (from excessive scratching)
- Fur loss (sometimes)
How do you get rid of lice on cats?
Common flea medications such as Revolution® (selamectin) and Frontline® (fipronil) are effective against lice. Treatment should be repeated every 2 weeks for at least 4 treatments. In some cases however, weekly treatments can be indicated.
