How to Kill Lice on Cats

Treating cat lice is necessary to prevent the spread of lice.

Lice are parasitic insects, and there are a variety of species. Lice prefer to spend their time on one host. If opportunity arises, however, a louse will jump from an infected cat to an uninfected cat. Cats who have lice can't infect humans, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early prevention of lice will help prevent complications for your cat, which include hair loss, anemia, scabbing and bleeding.

Things You'll Need

• Pet pyrethrin shampoo
• Pet pyrethrin spray
• Soap
• Fipronil
• Kitchen gloves
• Water
• Kitchen sink
• Pet trimmer
• Towel
• 2 percent lime sulfur dip
• Lice fogger
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. 

   Ask your vet for a suitable shampoo.

   Buy a pet shampoo containing pyrethrin. Pyrethrin immobilizes insects by attacking their nervous system. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a brand for your cat.

2. 

   Work a pyrethrin soap onto your cat.

   Put on a pair of kitchen gloves and apply the soap to your cat. Work up a lather with some water. Allow the soap to penetrate your cat's fur for the recommended amount of time on the shampoo's bottle. Rinse and dry your cat.

3. 

   Treat your cat after his bath.

   Apply a pyrethrin spray on your cat, as suggested by Pet Education. Pyrethrin powder can be alternatively used. Prescription fipronil may also be used to help kill lice nits.

4. Repeat the above steps after two weeks. Lice and nits take time to effectively kill.

5. Use a 2 percent lime sulfur dip if your cat doesn't respond to treatments, as indicated by Vet Info. In severe instances, you may need to shave your cat and pick out lice nits. Nits can be removed by pinching the egg between your fingers and disposing of the egg on a paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Lice nits look like rice grains.

• Periodically soak your cat's grooming items in hot soapy water to kill lice.

• Wash your cat's bedding regularly.

• Use a lice fogger to help eradicate lice if you have a severe lice infestation.

• Don't share contaminated grooming products if you have other cats in your home.

References

• Centers for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Parasites-Lice
• Pet Education: Lice (Pediculosis) in Cats
• Vet Info: Cat Lice Treatment Options

Resources

• Lice Treatment: Overcoming Animal Lice
• Healthy Pets: Chewing Lice and Sucking Lice