Biting Lice in Dogs

There are two types of lice that can affect dogs--biting lice and sucking lice. Biting lice can be very annoying and even painful to a dog. It is important for pet owners to know about and understand the nature of biting lice. This will enable them to recognize the symptoms of lice, treat lice and protect their dog from contracting lice again.

  1. Contracting Biting Lice

    • The only way that a dog can get lice is by coming into contact with it. Lice are usually spread from dog to dog. Dog owners should take care when sharing grooming brushes or tools with other dogs because these can spread lice. Lice may also be contracted in public places where dogs often play such as dog parks, obedience schools or kennels or in private homes that house many dogs.

    Symptoms

    • It is important for dog owners to know the symptoms of biting lice. One major symptom is excessive scratching. If you notice your dog scratching more than usual, he may have lice. A dog's behavior may also change. He may seem more irritable because of the constant annoyance in his fur.

      Once you notice a change in the dog's habits or behavior and suspect it might be because of lice, you should check his fur. Oftentimes you will find visible lice, which look like small black or brown pieces of dirt. You may also find visible lice eggs. They look like small white dots that are stuck to the dog's skin.

    Treatment at Home

    • There are many products available for the treatment of lice. These can be found at your local pet store. Medicated shampoos that kill lice and loosen them from the skin are the most common way to treat biting lice in dogs. Usually, it takes more than one treatment to completely get rid of lice in dog fur.

      There are also other home treatment options that dog owners can buy. These include lotions and gels. All of these are easily applied to the skin in different ways.

    Treatment at a Groomer

    • If you do not like the idea of treating your dog at home, many professional groomers offer lice treatments. They are also a good choice if you have tried getting rid of your dog's lice, but don't think that you have gotten it all.

    Protecting From Reinfection

    • Protecting your dog from reinfection of lice is important. After you have treated your dog for lice, clean your house, especially your dog's items, including his bed and toys. Also, after you allow your dog to play in public places where there are many other dogs, check his fur for lice or eggs. This is a quick and simple task that will reduce the chance of your dog being fully infected by biting lice.