With the warm weather upon us, we will be spending more time outdoors. But with the sun, fun, and family time comes those pesky insects: in particular mosquitoes. Not only are they a nuisance to us, but they can also cause problems for your dog. Using dog safe mosquito repellent can help reduce the likelihood of your precious pup getting bit.
This post will examine the dangers of your dog getting mosquito bites and some options available to prevent them.
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Related: Best Dog Flea Collar For Your Pup, Best Puppy Flea Shampoo, Deworming Medicine For Dogs
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are a type of small fly that can be found all over the world. They have a protrusion by their head, called a proboscis, which males and females use to suck nectar and fruit juices from plants.
The female mosquito also uses her proboscis to feed on blood from a person or animal, including your dog. This “blood meal” is how the female feeds her eggs.
Males do not feed on blood like the females do.
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, the life cycle of a mosquito can last anywhere from 4 days to 1 month for it to mature from an egg into an adult.
Most mosquitoes live for a few weeks, but some can survive up to 6 months.
Why Are Mosquito Bites Dangerous?
Mosquito bites are dangerous because mosquitoes can be a vector for other diseases. This means they are able to pass disease from one species to another.
This happens when a female mosquito bites a mammal with a disease, for example a cow. When the female then bites another animal (you or your dog), they can then pass that disease on.
Examples of diseases passed to humans from mosquitoes include:
- West Nile Virus.
- Zika.
- Dengue Fever.
- Malaria.
How Are Mosquito Bites Dangerous For Dogs?
Mosquito bites are dangerous for dogs for a few reasons. Just like us, dogs can have reactions to mosquito bites with redness and itchiness. If your dog scratches incessantly, this may lead to open wounds and possible infection.
Another reason why a mosquito bite is dangerous to dogs is because a bite from an infected female can lead to the development of heartworm disease.
Heartworm is an infection caused by the worm parasite Dirofilaria immitis. The mosquito passes the larvae into your dog when they bite your pup. The larvae then live and grow into worms in the blood vessels that take care of your dog’s heart and lungs. Heartworms can live for 3-5 years in your dog.
Signs And Symptoms Of Heartworm Disease
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs and symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs includes:
- Coughing.
- Exercise Intolerance.
- Failure To Grow.
- Labored Breathing.
- Blue Coloring Of Skin And Gums.
- Spitting Up Blood.
- Fainting.
- Nose Bleeds.
- Fluid Accumulation In the Abdomen.
- Worm Fragments can also block blood vessels as they die.
What Protects Dogs From Mosquito Bites?
None of us wants our dog to gets heartworm disease. The best thing we can do for our pups is to help prevent them from being bitten in the first place or use a heartworm preventative medication like:
- K9 Avantix.
- Vectra.
- Heartguard.
- Sentinel.
These medications work because they contain ingredients that kill the larva that are transmitted from mosquitoes as well as any larval stage that may develop inside your dog after infection.
This is why it is so important to keep to your dog’s heartworm medication schedule. If you miss a dose, larvae may begin to develop and it will be too late to prevent infestation.
Speak with your veterinarian to determine which medication is right for your dog.
Is There A Safe Mosquito Repellent For Dogs?
Other than medications that have been proven to kill off larvae that may infect your dog, another option is dog safe mosquito repellent.
There are mosquito repellents available that are safe to put on your dog. These mosquito repellents usually contain essential oils that may help reduce the likelihood of your dog being bitten by a mosquito.
If you decide to use a dog safe mosquito repellent, be sure to check with your veterinarian first. They will be able to tell you for sure if the product you want to use will benefit your dog, taking into account their environment and health conditions.
Which Mosquito Repellent Is Best For Dogs?
When using a dog safe mosquito repellent, make sure the product does not contain any DEET. This is a pesticide that most humans use for mosquito bite prevention, however, it is not safe for dogs.
Dogs exposed to DEET may go on to exhibit neurological symptoms and can be fatal.
Look for a dog safe repellent with natural ingredients.
What Is A Natural Mosquito Repellent?
A natural mosquito repellent does not contain harsh chemicals that can harm pets, children, or other animals.
Natural mosquito repellents usually contain a combination of essential oils. These can include:
- Cedarwood Oil. This oil takes moisture out of insects and kills them.
- Pyrethrin. Comes from the chrysanthemum plant. It interferes with the nervous system of insects, paralyzing, then killing them. According to the National Institutes of Health, pyrethrins are safe for humans and animals. They are highly toxic to cats and fish. If you are going to use a repellent containing Pyrethrins, make sure it is completely dry before your dog is able to access the areas sprayed.
- Lemongrass. Lemongrass contains citronella, which has been shown to repel mosquitoes.
- Geraniol. Comes from the geranium plant and has been shown to repel mosquitoes.
- Peppermint Oil. Has been shown to repel mosquitoes in some studies.
There have been mixed results when it comes to using essential oils to repel mosquitoes. Many studies only look at specific species of mosquitoes and how the essential oils affect them. Some also required a very high concentration of the essential oil to have an effect on whether or not subjects were bitten by mosquitoes. Most essential oils only prevented bites for a short period of time.
When deciding on whether or not to use a natural mosquito repellent, keep in mind that the species of mosquitoes that the essential oils were effective against may not be the species of mosquitoes in your area and you may not experience the same results.
Best Dog Safe Mosquito Repellent
Here are 5 options of “dog safe” mosquito repellents that you put on your dog. Product information is according to the manufacturer. Always check with your veterinarian before putting any of these on your dog to be sure the ingredients are safe for your dog and any medical conditions they may have.
When using these products, be sure to let the product dry before allowing your dog to lick any of the areas the repellent has been applied to avoid ingesting any ingredients.
Flys-Off Insect Repellent Spray For Dogs
This repellent contains Pyrethrin.
- Also protects from fleas, gnats, fleas, ticks, and lice.
- Good for dogs over 12 weeks of age.
- Contains Pyrethrin.
Check Price At: Amazon, Chewy, Petco
Vet’s Best Mosquito Repellent
This plant based repellent is made for both dogs and humans.
- Includes Lemongrass and Geraniol.
- Good for dogs over 12 weeks of age.
- Can be used on humans as well.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Amazon, Chewy, Petco, Petsmart
Ark Naturals Flea Flicker Tick Kicker For Dogs
This uses a combination of essential oils to repel and kill mosquitoes.
- Repels and kills mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks on contact.
- Contains Geraniol, Eugenia, and Peppermint Oil.
- Sulfate free.
- Paraben free.
- For dogs over 12 weeks of age.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Vetality Naturals Flea & Tick Dog Spray
This spray also uses a combination of essential oils to both repel and kill mosquitoes.
- Kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.
- Good for dogs over 12 weeks of age.
- Water resistant.
- Paraben free.
- Contains Cedarwood oil and Peppermint oil.
Check Price At: Petco, Petsmart
Cedarcide Extra Strength Tickshield
This is made for both dogs and humans and can repel and kill mosquitoes.
- Kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.
- Contains Cedarwood Oil.
- Good for dogs over 20 lbs.
- Can be used on humans as well.
Check Price At: Amazon, Cedarcide
Dog Safe Mosquito Repellent Alternatives
Here are a few alternatives you can use that do not require you to put a product directly onto your dog. All product information is according to the manufacturer.
Thermacell Perimeter System Mosquito Repellent
This system uses 2 stakes that go into the ground and creates a “perimeter of protection “ of up to 30 feet. The caveat to this approach is that you need to wait 25 minutes for the perimeter to form and your dog would have to be confined to that area to be protected.
- Repels mosquitoes in a 15-30 foot radius.
- Creates a perimeter of protection.
- Set includes 2 perimeter repellers, 4 pole pieces, 2 ground stakes, 2 post mounts, 12 hours of refills for each repeller.
- Need to wait 25 minutes for the barrier to form.
- Contains Allethrin.
Wondercide Ready To Use Flea, Tick, And Mosquito Yard Spray
This is a yard spray that uses essential oils. The pluses of this approach is that it covers a very large area and repels and kills mosquitoes. The downside is that being that it uses essential oils, the results could vary and you may have to spray very often to keep up with the results.
- Repels and kills mosquitoes.
- Uses essential oils:
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Sesame Oil.
- No wait time for drying.
- Attach to a garden hose and spray.
- Treats up to 5,000 square feet.
- No artificial colors, fragrances, or harsh pesticides.
- Cruelty free.
- Biodegradable.
- Made in the USA from US and globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Amazon, Wondercide
Mosquito Control Dunks
A mosquito dunk is a briquette that contains a larvicide that you put in standing water on your property. Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in standing water. The larvae that hatch in the water are killed by the larvicide and thus cannot become adults, thereby reducing the number of mosquitoes on your property.
- Comes with a various amount of dunks per pack, depending on your preference.
- Contains a sustained release larvicide.
- Can be used in any standing water site.
Mosquito bites are more than just an annoyance. They can be harbingers of disease for both humans and dogs. In addition to heartworm medication for your pup, a dog safe mosquito repellent can help to reduce the number of bites your dog gets and thereby decrease their chance of getting a reaction from the bite, including the development of heartworm.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.