So you’ve just discovered you or your child has lice and are now thinking: Can my dog or cat get lice from me? This is a very common question by pet owners, but the answer is simple and hopefully, reassuring.

The short answer: No, animals cannot get lice from people. And humans cannot get lice from animals, either. Here’s why, and what to do if you or your pet has lice.

What Are Lice?

Lice are small, wingless parasitic insects that feed on blood. They hang onto the hair or feathers of the host and can be quite irritating, even causing infections if left untreated.

There are various types of lice that have adapted to a specific host species, like:

• Human Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) only infest humans.
• Dog lice (Trichodectes canis or Linognathus setosus) that only infest dogs.
• Cat lice (Felicola subrostratus) that only infest cats.
• Bird lice infest birds.

Lice cannot jump species because their bodies, claws, and feeding habits are all adapted to feeding on just one type of host.

Can You Give Lice to Your Pets?

No. Human lice inhabit only humans. Even if your dog or cat gets really close to you with lice, they will not get lice. Human lice cannot live on animals. They cannot find the right environment and type of hair or skin to hold on to and feed.

Likewise:

• You cannot give lice to your dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig.
• Your reptiles and fish are safe as well.

Can Pets Give Lice to Humans?

Also no, your pets can’t give you lice either. The lice that live on pets are species specific and will not survive to reproduce on a human. Although dogs and cats can get lice, it’s very uncommon especially in well cared for, groomed, indoor pets.

If your pet is scratching it is most likely not lice—it is more often fleas, mites, dry skin or allergies.

Why Can’t Lice be Transferred Between Species?

Lice are highly specialized parasites. They have adapted over many thousands of years to only survive on one specified type of host. They rely on several factors:

• The shape and thickness of the hair
• The pH of the skin
• The body temperature
• The blood type
• Grooming behavior

When lice find themselves on the “wrong” host, they:

• Cannot cling to the hair properly
• Cannot feed
• Die within hours or a day
• This is why a human lice infestation stays with humans and doesn’t jump to your pets

Signs of Lice in Pets

If you’re still feeling anxious, troubleshooting if your pet has pet specific lice (again, totally nothing to do with lice we get) is pretty much the same…here’s a comparison:

🐾 Common Signs:
Scratching excessively

Dry, flaky skin

Balding spots (areas where pets have lost hair, not there is no hair in those spots)

Seeing tiny white or light yellow specks (lice or eggs) on the hair or their bedding (or both)

Restlessness

If you see these signs, follow through with having your pet examined and treated by a veterinarian.

What Should You Do If You Have Lice?

Lice in humans are treated by:

• Over the counter (OTC) lice shampoos or medicated treatments.
• Nit combs that have fine teeth, that means they are really, really small.
• Anything that can be washed, such as clothes, pillowcases, bedding and so on should all be washed in hot water.

There is no reason to treat your pet (they are not at risk) or bring them to the vet.

How to Prevent Lice?

• Teach children: lice spread mainly due to one head touching another head.
• Discourage the sharing of hats, combs and pillows
• Keep pets clean and well-groomed
• Use flea and lice prevention products on your pets and complete all recommendations from vet to minimize risk.

In conclusion, lice are very host-specific parasites, meaning they are adapted to survive on a single host type. When lice are found on humans, they cannot survive on animals and vice versa; pet lice cannot live on humans. The biology of the lice will not allow them to thrive on the incorrect species.

So if you or someone in your home has lice, you do not need to worry about your pets. They will not be impacted, or lice will not transfer from them to you. Knowing this can help you relax and better concentrate on treatment, without worrying about your companions.

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