Dogs And Head Lice

Lice are species specific so humans can t contract lice from dogs or vice versa.

Dogs and head lice. The lice that affect people are not the same as the lice that affect dogs or other animals and they typically do not transfer between different species. Both over the counter and prescription medications are available for treatment of head lice infestations. Head lice that we see in school aged children are different type of lice. Nor do dogs get lice from people.

Their movement is limited to crawling as they can t hop jump or fly. Human lice need human blood to survive. Dogs becoming infested with lice and transferring the infestation to people is such a reasonable idea. They are easily killed by topical insecticides.

Head lice infestation or pediculosis is spread most commonly by close person to person contact. Though each species can carry its own kind of lice human head lice are easier transferred from human to human than dog lice are from dog to dog. While dogs do get dog lice which is specific to their species they cannot get the human type of head lice from the family they live with. Two lice viewed under an electron microscope.

Typically a dog will get a lice infestation when coming into contact with another dog that is already infested. It also important to remember that human lice are not a result of poor personal hygiene habits. It is not too common but dogs can in fact get lice. Humans can be hygiene conscious and still contract lice whereas lice are not usually found in well maintained and cared for dogs.

Dogs cats and other pets do not play a role in the transmission of human lice. Lice are species specific parasites. People do not get lice from dogs. Dogs can get lice from other dogs but it must be through direct contact usually because unlike fleas lice have very limited mobility.

Lice spend their entire life cycle on the pet. Lice are tiny species specific external parasites that live on the skin and hair coat of dogs and other mammals. So while your child s head lice may pass to you your pet will not be infected. Similar to human head lice dog lice are small creatures that can barely be seen with the naked eye.

Lice are a species specific parasite and only feed off their chosen species. That said as lice in pets and other animals often occur when animals live in insanitary environments. Along similar lines your cat or dog cannot catch lice from an infected child as the head lice do require human blood to live. You may or may not be surprised to learn that no dogs cannot get head lice from a human.

Human lice need human blood to survive while dog lice need dog blood.