Shampoos used to kill lice on humans can injure or kill a cat.
Like most pets, cats are subject to all kinds of parasites, including lice. There are several steps to take to get rid of lice in cats, but the main method of treatment is to wash the cat with a suitable shampoo. There are several shampoos on the market that kill various types of parasites, including lice, although this may not be mentioned on the packaging. The main thing to remember is to buy a cat-specific product. Shampoos used for humans don’t work, and those used for other pets, specifically dogs, can actually injure or kill a cat.
Veterinarians can give you helpful tips on how to get rid of head lice.
Lice are species specific. The type of lice that children get is not like cats. Regardless, itching is the main symptom in all types of lice infestations. In a cat, the itching can be more intense and can sometimes present with a ragged coat and hair loss. Lice on cats survive by biting cats and drinking their blood.
If you suspect that a cat has head lice, you should carefully examine it. Head lice appear as flat, oval-shaped objects and may look like dandruff at first glance. The main difference is that lice will wiggle or be in the egg stage known as nits and stick to the hair. Nits don’t move if you touch them and usually can’t be removed from the hair.
Cats are unlikely to transmit lice to humans.
The next step is to purchase a lice-killing shampoo, either from a store or a veterinarian. Regardless of the shampoo used, it will usually need to be applied several times, usually at 10-14 day intervals, depending on the type of shampoo used. The eggs are not likely to be removed even after washing, so shaving the cat may be the best option.
Shampoos kill cat parasites, including lice, but don’t use one formulated for dogs, as it can actually harm or kill a cat.
Any instrument that comes into contact with the cat, such as combs, should be soaked in rubbing alcohol and carefully cleaned. Areas of the house, such as the cat’s bedding, that have come into contact with the cat’s fur should be vacuumed and washed thoroughly, if possible. Many cat lice shampoos are effective enough that a cleaning of possibly infested areas is sufficient, as the shampoos continue to kill lice on contact.
Even if the cat is no longer showing symptoms, it needs to be examined for several weeks after the last shampooing to see if the infestation is gone. Fortunately, this is a rare occurrence and cat lice are generally not contagious to humans. Keeping a cat well groomed can go a long way in preventing cat lice.