Can dogs get lice?

Dogs can get lice. However, dogs do not get the same kind of lice that humans get. Dogs can spread lice to other dogs but rarely spread lice to humans or other animals.

There are two types of lice that can infest dogs: biting or chewing lice, and blood-sucking lice. The biting or chewing lice feed on skin debris and secretions. The blood-sucking lice feed on the blood of the dog.

Treatment options include washes, sprays, dips or dust that kill lice. Any dead or live lice that fall off of the dog should be placed in a zip-close plastic bag and disposed of in the garbage bin to prevent reinfestation.