Mosquito Repellent for Dogs: The Complete Guide for Pet Owners (2023)

FAQs

How do I get rid of mosquitoes without harming my dog? ›

The answer is 'no' — never use human insect repellent on your dog. The two most common ingredients in insect repellent for humans are DEET and Picaridin, which can cause vomiting, staggering, irritation and seizures. For this reason, you should also not let your dog lick your skin after applying bug spray.

Apple cider vinegar is a common household item you may easily have on hand. When applied to a dog's fur, the smell can deter mosquitos from pestering your dog. Simply apply the ACV to your pup's neck, collar, torso, tail, belly, or overall coat. This simple fix may even repel fleas.

Lemon eucalyptus oil

Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved eucalyptus oil as an effective ingredient in mosquito repellent.

Coconut oil itself is not a repellent, Zhu emphasized. However, the coconut oil-derived free fatty acid mixture—lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid as well as their corresponding methyl esters—provides strong repellency against blood-sucking insects.

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis is an all-natural soil bacterium that prevents mosquito development in water, and it's perfectly safe for pets to drink. You can add a mosquito dunk formulation of B. thuringiensis israelensis to water gardens, ponds or fountains; repeat the treatment every month.

Acetic acid makes vinegar an excellent tool for pest control, repelling some of the most common backyard nuisances and even killing weaker insects. It's most effective against ants, spiders, and mosquitos.

Can dogs eat lavender? No, never feed your dog lavender buds or essential oil. They both contain linalool, a compound that is toxic to dogs in large amounts.

Matejka recommends refraining from using citronella-based sprays on your dog because they have the potential to cause harmful side effects. "Since citronella sprays are applied topically, they can cause skin irritation or rash, especially in high concentrations," she says.

Once a week, spray your dog's fur with the mixture. Although not scientifically proven to get rid of flea, the acidic taste of the vinegar may repel fleas and other parasites. If your dog dislikes being sprayed, dip a washcloth into the mixture and rub your dog's coat. There is no need to rinse your dog afterward.

What smell mosquitoes hate? ›

Certain Natural Scents

Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents: cinnamon, peppermint, cedar, citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, catnip, lavender, and more. Find a favorite, and use it when you want to spend time outside.

You'll need half a cup of distilled water, half a cup of witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar, and 30 to 40 drops of essential oil of your choice. (Rubbing alcohol may be irritating if sprayed on the skin, and witch hazel is the gentlest option for sprays.)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE).

This is a natural, plant-based oil. It works as well at preventing mosquito bites as products that contain lower concentrations (6.65%) of DEET. PMD is a version of oil of lemon eucalyptus that is produced in a lab. Repellents containing OLE or PMD may provide up to 2 hours of protection.

Dogs can have distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV) as long as you use it in moderation. Serve your dog one tablespoon of diluted vinegar in their water bowl or let it soak into their kibble. Keep in mind there is always the possibility your specific dog might have an allergy or intolerance to vinegar.

The idea that dishwashing liquid is a mosquito repellant is a myth, and it's inaccurate. That doesn't mean that dishwashing liquid isn't useful for mosquito control. Because of its ability to reduce surface tension, a thin film on water can drown both larvae and adult mosquitos.

Apple cider vinegar: It's a truly multipurpose remedy that can help with so many things, including mosquitoes. Add equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use it on areas where mosquitoes tend to hang out. You can even spray it on yourself to keep them away.

But is peppermint safe for dogs? Quite the opposite: Peppermint is extremely dangerous for your pet. According to the ASPCA, eating peppermint can cause vomiting and diarrhea, among other reactions.

Lemongrass is toxic to dogs due to the cyanogenic glycosides and oils in the plant. Lemongrass poisoning, however, is rare in canines since dogs must ingest large quantities of the plant to trigger severe symptoms.

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.

Many store-bought dog repellents are made with apple cider vinegar, which you can use to make your own homemade solution for a fraction of the cost. To make a strong solution, mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups apple cider vinegar. Place it in a spray bottle and mist any desired areas, indoors or out.

Do vets recommend citronella collars? ›

Policy. Collars designed to inflict pain, discomfort or fear to achieve behavioural change should not be used on dogs. Examples include electronic collars, citronella and choke collars. Positive reinforcement training of dogs renders the use of such equipment unnecessary.

Some essential oils — including tea tree, neem, lemon eucalyptus, and citronella — can be useful in keeping mosquitoes and other insects away from your dogs, but it's important to ONLY USE DILUTE FORMULATIONS of these oils.

#1.

To make this recipe, mix 24 teaspoons of citronella oil with two pints of water and put it in a spray bottle. You can use the diluted citronella immediately. Just be sure to give the bottle a good shake before each use.

Never give undiluted apple cider vinegar directly to your dog. For skin and ear issues, topical use is ideal. Use a diluted 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar mixture in a spray bottle or on a cotton ball to clean out the ears.

Give your dog a quick second rinsing with clear warm water to get any vinegar scent out of your dog's fur. Use this rinse to get off any residue from the vinegar and shampoo. Once your dog is washed and double rinsed with water and apple cider vinegar and then water again, towel dry him.

Dogs lick their paws as part of self-grooming routines, however excessive licking could be a red flag. While paw licking is a common behaviour, some additional reasons your dog is licking their paw include anxiety, stress, obsessive behaviour, flea allergies or boredom.

Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to dogs. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.

Your furry friends do not need to leave completely. Just give the products time to dry before letting your cats and dogs have free rein through the treated areas (about 30 minutes to an hour for outside treatments and 2-3 hours for inside treatments).

Applying oils topically can be irritating to the skin — yours and your dog's. This is counterproductive for treating skin conditions and can add to your dog's discomfort. Therefore, without proper professional guidance, it's best to avoid using essential oils topically or directly on your dog.

What essential oil should never be used on pets? ›

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.

Lavender is toxic to dogs, especially when consumed. However, the scent can also cause respiratory symptoms in some dogs because they have a stronger sense of smell. Both the lavender plant and essential oils can be dangerous for your pet.

Peppermint oil is toxic to dogs and can cause mild to severe symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and even lethargy. Peppermint oil poisoning can be fatal, especially if it's not treated as soon as possible. If you believe your dog has consumed peppermint oil, take them to the vet as soon as possible.

While you are anticipating a relaxing atmosphere, your dog smells the opposite. There are reasons for your dog not liking certain smells, and he's smart not to like peppermint because while it might be your favorite scent or flavor, it's toxic to him.

Any product that contains any levels of DEET can be toxic to dogs. They may vomit, stagger or have seizures after ingesting, so don't use DEET products on yourself or others when around dogs and cats who might lick your skin.

Most of the common bug sprays and mosquito repellents for people contain DEET, in varying concentrations. DEET can be very toxic for dogs, leading to vomiting, staggering, seizures, and other concerning problems.

Several natural essential oils can be used as a mosquito repellent, including cinnamon oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, catnip oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, neem oil, lemongrass oil, soybean oil, tea tree oil, geranium oil, thyme oil, and rosemary oil.