Allowing the cat outside allows it to get enough exercise, socialize with other cats, enjoy its freedom, and realize the cat's natural behavior. However, there are some drawbacks to letting cats roam freely outdoors. For example, it is at greater risk of fighting with other cats, getting into traffic accidents, and contracting diseases. A further problem is that they are at greater risk of contracting parasites such as lice. If your cat has lice, it's important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Below we will tell you how to remove lice on cats.

What are lice?

According to the Lyme Disease Initiative, lice are an external parasite related to spiders, mites and scorpions. There are many different species of ticks, each of which likes to feed on the blood of a different host animal.

How do cats get lice?

The most common way cats get lice is from interacting with or being in close proximity to other animals, Purina said. Cats may encounter many other animals as they explore their local environment, and ticks can easily spread from one animal to another. Cats are more likely to contract lice if there are woodlands and grassy areas near the home for cats to explore.

Are lice harmful to cats?

If you keep your cat outdoors, it is crucial to check your cat regularly for ticks. Lice are potentially harmful to cats because they spread the infection when they bite the skin and suck the animal's blood. Some of the more serious diseases spread by ticks include Lyme disease and mycoplasma. Also, the bite area may become infected, which is potentially painful or irritating to the cat. It's important to note that if your cat has lice, you're also at risk, as lice can be transmitted from cats to humans. If this happens, you run the risk of ticks transmitting Lyme disease or mycoplasma. Likewise, you can get an infected bite.

How to check if your cat has lice?

Before you can learn how to remove lice from your cat, you must first know how to identify them. Even though a tick is a relatively small reptile, it can still be seen and felt. So, there are two simple ways to tell if your cat has lice. The first method is to stroke the cat all over its body when it comes home. Lice are like little bumps on the skin. The second way to identify lice is to search by their fur. If your cat has lice, you will see a small brown bump on its skin. The size, color, and general appearance of lice can vary depending on species and age.

How to remove lice from cats?

Because lice can cause irritation to catsand risk of disease, it's crucial to check your cat regularly for lice and remove any lice you find. Getting rid of cat lice is easier than you think. If you can find someone to help you, keep the cat quiet and still while you remove the ticks. The easiest way to remove lice is to wring them off your cat. However, you must be careful not to squeeze the tick. Doing so will cause the lice to excrete the blood drawn from the cat into the cat's body, which increases the risk of infection. You should also note that the head of the louse will not get stuck in the cat just by moving it's body. When removing lice, you should wear gloves to protect yourself from becoming infected. After removing the lice, you will also need a small container of water to remove the lice. Once you have removed the tick from your cat, you should check to see if it is intact and the head remains inside the cat. A good tip is to wipe the affected area with an antiseptic wipe to reduce the risk of infection.

Other ways to remove lice

There are also devices that can help you remove lice from your cat. This is a hook that fits around the tick and helps you twist it instead of squeezing the tick. They are usually made of plastic and you can buy them at most pet stores. Again, wear gloves when using this method, have a jar on hand to handle the lice, and check that the lice are intact after being removed.

Does my cat need to see a veterinarian if it has lice?

If you find lice on your cat, it doesn't necessarily mean they need to see a veterinarian. However, in some cases, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable. First, if the tick is found to be incomplete after removal, the head of the tick will still burrow into the cat's skin. Leaving the head alone may lead to infection. Therefore, you should take your cat to a veterinarian who can remove the cat's head and they may also recommend a course of antibiotics as a preventive measure. The second time you need to see your veterinarian is if your cat develops any disease-related symptoms after being bitten by ticks.

Lice are potentially harmful to cats because they can spread the infection when they feed on your cat's blood. Therefore, you must check your cat regularly for lice and remove them as soon as possible. You can do this by twisting the hook or using a professional hook tool.