Head lice is a common issue. Chances are that either you or someone you knew in grade school got lice at some point or another. Most people worry about spreading their lice from person to person, but most do not consider the possibility of spreading the issue to their pets, and why would they? 

Do dogs carry head lice? Head lice live in hair and not fur after all. As it turns out, a dog can get lice, but not human lice! Here are a few things you should know if you think that your dog might have canine lice.

How Does This Happen?

There are several ways that dogs can get lice. Poor sanitation and grooming tools with lice or eggs are both ways dogs can get lice. Lice can also be transferred from dog to dog, so be sure to do a regular check if you frequent the dog park.

Can You Get Head Lice From Dogs?

Thankfully lice are species-specific. Dogs only get dog lice and humans only get human lice, so you do not have to worry about spreading the parasites to or from your pets.

Signs and Symptoms Of Dog Lice

Dog lice can only be seen crawling around inside the coat when the fur is parted, so you should check your dog regularly. Just like human lice, dog lice are very small, about the size of a sesame seed, and are tan or off-white in color. These parasites like to hide close to wounds. Itchiness, hair loss, redness, or a flaky coat are all signs that your pooch may have lice. Lice do not pose too much of an immediate threat, but if left unchecked, they can cause serious bacterial infections.

How to Treat Your Dog

If you discover lice on your dog, don’t worry! There are a few different ways to treat them. Lice collars and topical sprays are two different ways to treat dog lice, but you should take them to the vet to get a recommendation before you take any action. Like over-the-counter treatments for human lice, some dog lice treatments can be very toxic and can be harmful to you or your pets if they are used improperly.

Fresh Heads Lice Removal in Savannah, GA

Here at Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we are dedicated to the prevention of lice. We can provide you with lice treatment in Savannah, GA as well as our other locations in Jacksonville and Orlando, FL. Educating the public about head lice, what they are, and how to deal with them is something that we are passionate about. If you would like to learn more about head lice and how to prevent them, click here.

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!