{"id":151557,"date":"2022-07-11T15:44:18","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T15:44:18","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:44:18","slug":"can-cats-give-you-head-lice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/","title":{"rendered":"Can cats give you head lice?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_cats_give_you_head_lice\" title=\"Can cats give you head lice?\">Can cats give you head lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_lice_transfer_from_pets_to_humans\" title=\"Can lice transfer from pets to humans?\">Can lice transfer from pets to humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#What_does_lice_look_like_on_cats\" title=\"What does lice look like on cats?\">What does lice look like on cats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_you_get_lice_from_cat_fleas\" title=\"Can you get lice from cat fleas?\">Can you get lice from cat fleas?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_humans_get_lice_from_cats\" title=\"Can humans get lice from cats?\">Can humans get lice from cats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_head_lice_come_from_animals\" title=\"Can head lice come from animals?\">Can head lice come from animals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Where_does_head_lice_come_from\" title=\"Where does head lice come from?\">Where does head lice come from?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_animals_transfer_lice_to_humans\" title=\"Can animals transfer lice to humans?\">Can animals transfer lice to humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Does_dog_lice_transfer_to_human_hair\" title=\"Does dog lice transfer to human hair?\">Does dog lice transfer to human hair?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_lice_transfer_from_cats_to_humans\" title=\"Can lice transfer from cats to humans?\">Can lice transfer from cats to humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#How_do_I_know_if_my_cat_has_lice\" title=\"How do I know if my cat has lice?\">How do I know if my cat has lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_humans_get_cat_lice\" title=\"Can humans get cat lice?\">Can humans get cat lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#How_do_you_get_rid_of_lice_on_a_cat\" title=\"How do you get rid of lice on a cat?\">How do you get rid of lice on a cat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#How_can_I_tell_if_my_cat_has_fleas_or_lice\" title=\"How can I tell if my cat has fleas or lice?\">How can I tell if my cat has fleas or lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_cat_fleas_give_you_lice\" title=\"Can cat fleas give you lice?\">Can cat fleas give you lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Is_cat_lice_the_same_as_fleas\" title=\"Is cat lice the same as fleas?\">Is cat lice the same as fleas?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_fleas_give_you_head_lice\" title=\"Can fleas give you head lice?\">Can fleas give you head lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_cat_lice_live_on_furniture\" title=\"Can cat lice live on furniture?\">Can cat lice live on furniture?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_humans_get_lice_from_animals\" title=\"Can humans get lice from animals?\">Can humans get lice from animals?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Is_cat_lice_the_same_as_human_lice\" title=\"Is cat lice the same as human lice?\">Is cat lice the same as human lice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#What_causes_head_lice_in_the_first_place\" title=\"What causes head lice in the first place?\">What causes head lice in the first place?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Where_do_head_lice_come_from_naturally\" title=\"Where do head lice come from naturally?\">Where do head lice come from naturally?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#What_causes_head_lice_to_begin\" title=\"What causes head lice to begin?\">What causes head lice to begin?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Where_do_lice_come_from_in_nature\" title=\"Where do lice come from in nature?\">Where do lice come from in nature?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/can-cats-give-you-head-lice\/#Can_dog_lice_live_in_human_hair\" title=\"Can dog lice live in human hair?\">Can dog lice live in human hair?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_cats_give_you_head_lice\"><\/span>Can cats give you head lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Head lice, which is a specific species called Pediculus humanus capitis, only affects humans. In other words, while lice may spread from one human family member to another, it&#8217;s impossible that your pet was the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, however, <b>pets get lice  just a different kind<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_lice_transfer_from_pets_to_humans\"><\/span>Can lice transfer from pets to humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Luckily, lice are largely host specific, living on one species or several closely related species (merckvetmanual.com) and for this reason, <b>don&#8217;t transfer from one species to another. In other words, the lice that live, feed and breed on your pet can&#8217;t survive on humans (and vice versa).<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_lice_look_like_on_cats\"><\/span>What does lice look like on cats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you look closely at a cat who&#8217;s been infested, fleas will present as jumpy black dots and leave a trail of black dirt. Lice, on the other hand, are white, and it&#8217;s usually the eggs  <b>sticky white dots stuck to the hair near the skin  that can be spotted more easily.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_lice_from_cat_fleas\"><\/span>Can you get lice from cat fleas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Cats can&#8217;t be infested by human or dog lice. And vice versa cats can&#8217;t transmit lice to humans and dogs. But it is very contagious between cats. In a household of several cats, it is very likely that when one cat is infested, the others are infested as well.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_humans_get_lice_from_cats\"><\/span>Can humans get lice from cats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So <b>no, humans cannot get lice from cats, and cats cannot get lice from humans. Same story with dogs and catsthey cannot share lice. However, cats can spread lice to other cats, dogs to other dogs, and humans to other humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_head_lice_come_from_animals\"><\/span>Can head lice come from animals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Head lice are obligate parasites. This means that they cannot survive without a human host. This species can live only on human hosts, so <b>you cannot get them from your dog, cat, guinea pig, or any other kind of furry pet you may have<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_does_head_lice_come_from\"><\/span>Where does head lice come from?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Head lice are tiny insects that <b>feed on blood from the human scalp. Head lice most often affect children. The insects usually spread through direct transfer from the hair of one person to the hair of another. Having head lice isn&#8217;t a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_animals_transfer_lice_to_humans\"><\/span>Can animals transfer lice to humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Head lice, which is a specific species called Pediculus humanus capitis, only affects humans. In other words, while <b>lice may spread from one human family member to another, it&#8217;s impossible that your pet was the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, however, pets get lice  just a different kind.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_dog_lice_transfer_to_human_hair\"><\/span>Does dog lice transfer to human hair?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>First, the good news: <b>You cannot get lice from your dog, nor can your dog pick up this parasite from you. Lice are species-specific; those that thrive on your dog&#8217;s blood won&#8217;t change their dining preferences if they land on you, or vice versa.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_lice_transfer_from_cats_to_humans\"><\/span>Can lice transfer from cats to humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Each species or type of lice is very picky about what type of animal it infests. So <b>no, humans cannot get lice from cats, and cats cannot get lice from humans. Same story with dogs and catsthey cannot share lice. However, cats can spread lice to other cats, dogs to other dogs, and humans to other humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_know_if_my_cat_has_lice\"><\/span>How do I know if my cat has lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The first signs that your cat may have lice are <b>scratching, biting, and rubbing of infested areas. If the lice are abundant, the hair might also be matted or missing. The cat may also appear restless. Usually, diagnosis is made by seeing lice or, more likely, their eggs on the infested cat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_humans_get_cat_lice\"><\/span>Can humans get cat lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Can You Get Lice from Cats? Each species or type of lice is very picky about what type of animal it infests. So <b>no, humans cannot get lice from cats, and cats cannot get lice from humans. Same story with dogs and catsthey cannot share lice.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_get_rid_of_lice_on_a_cat\"><\/span>How do you get rid of lice on a cat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Common flea medications such as Revolutionxae (selamectin) and Frontlinexae (fipronil) are effective against lice. Treatment should be repeated every 2 weeks for at least 4 treatments.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_tell_if_my_cat_has_fleas_or_lice\"><\/span>How can I tell if my cat has fleas or lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most obvious sign that your cat has fleas is <b>persistent scratching, or sometimes over-grooming, which can result in bald patches on their coat. If your cat develops a flea allergy they may also have scabs and red, sore areas on their skin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_cat_fleas_give_you_lice\"><\/span>Can cat fleas give you lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They do not move from one species to another. So <b>no, humans can&#8217;t get lice from cats, and cats can&#8217;t get lice from humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_cat_lice_the_same_as_fleas\"><\/span>Is cat lice the same as fleas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you look closely at a cat who&#8217;s been infested, fleas will present as jumpy black dots and leave a trail of black dirt. <b>Lice, on the other hand, are white, and it&#8217;s usually the eggs  sticky white dots stuck to the hair near the skin  that can be spotted more easily.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_fleas_give_you_head_lice\"><\/span>Can fleas give you head lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s a common question, with a simple answer. Read on and rest assured that <b>you cannot get lice from your pets!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_cat_lice_live_on_furniture\"><\/span>Can cat lice live on furniture?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Couches, chairs, ottomans and other soft-surfaced furniture require careful attention when you&#8217;ve had cat lice on the premises. Vacuum surfaces thoroughly, using a hose attachment to get into nooks, crannies, cracks and crevices.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_humans_get_lice_from_animals\"><\/span>Can humans get lice from animals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Head lice are obligate parasites. This means that they cannot survive without a human host. This species can live only on human hosts, so <b>you cannot get them from your dog, cat, guinea pig, or any other kind of furry pet you may have. Lice don&#8217;t have wings, so they can&#8217;t fly.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_cat_lice_the_same_as_human_lice\"><\/span>Is cat lice the same as human lice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cat lice (as all other lice) are very specific to their host. It means that <b>cat lice are not the same as human lice or dog lice. They can only be transmitted from one cat to another cat. The practical consequence is that a cat can only be contaminated by another cat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_head_lice_in_the_first_place\"><\/span>What causes head lice in the first place?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A person gets head lice because <b>the insects crawl from person to person by direct contact or by sharing items  including combs, brushes and hats  with another person who has head lice. Poor hygiene doesn&#8217;t cause head lice.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_do_head_lice_come_from_naturally\"><\/span>Where do head lice come from naturally?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Clade B head lice are thought to have originated in <b>North America, and then to have migrated to farther reaches of the world, including Australia and Europe.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_head_lice_to_begin\"><\/span>What causes head lice to begin?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A person gets head lice because <b>the insects crawl from person to person by direct contact or by sharing items  including combs, brushes and hats  with another person who has head lice. Poor hygiene doesn&#8217;t cause head lice.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_do_lice_come_from_in_nature\"><\/span>Where do lice come from in nature?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Where do head lice come from? <b>Head lice do not come out of the air or from the ground. They are human parasites and have probably been here since the beginning of time. Desiccated (dried up) head lice and their eggs (nits) have been found on the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_dog_lice_live_in_human_hair\"><\/span>Can dog lice live in human hair?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>No. <\/b><b>Dog lice do not live on humans<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Can cats give you head lice?Can lice transfer from pets to humans?What does lice look like on cats?Can you get lice from cat fleas?Can humans get lice from cats?Can head lice come from animals?Where does head lice come from?Can animals transfer lice to humans?Does dog lice transfer to human hair?Can lice transfer&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151557"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151557\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}