Dogs are lucky enough to have a layer of fur to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer but whilst a dog’s coat is a clever insulator, it cannot protect them against nasty insect bites and stings. Much like us, dogs can also be affected by mosquito bites, which not only cause irritation to the skin but can be fatal if they transmit diseases such as heartworm. This is why it’s important to use mosquito repellent on your dog’s fur if they are in an area where there are mosquitos. Human mosquito repellent can be very dangerous to use (which we will talk about later) so we have reviewed the best mosquito repellent for dogs and written an essential guide covering everything you need to know about mosquito repellent for dogs.
Keep reading to find out more…
The Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs
This, by far, is one of the best mosquito repellents that we have seen on the market. It’s absolutely perfect for dogs that weigh between 21-55 Lbs and is a topical formula that is applied to your dog once and keeps working for 30 days. The thing that we love about this product is that it doesn’t just work to repel and kill mosquitos, but fleas and ticks too. These little critters don’t have to bite your dog to die – they just need to come into close contact. This means that your dog doesn’t have to suffer from uncomfortable and often dangerous bites in order to be protected, they will be protected immediately on contact. The pack contains 2 x monthly applications and it’s really simple to apply. This formula works within 12 x hours and will keep working for up to x 30 days.
2 x months treatment
Easy to apply
Works within 12 x hours
Up to 30 x days protection
Protects against fleas, ticks & mosquitos
Suitable for dogs between 21-55 Lbs
- Brand: Bayer Animal Health
- Model: 86314940
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from a mosquito bite is to make sure they don’t go anywhere near your dog in the first place. This flea and tick yard and kennel spray also works to repel mosquitos and promises to kill mosquitoes, flea, flea larvae, and flea eggs as well as ticks – naturally. This product has been made from fully certified essential oils that are not harmful to flowers, trees, or shrubbery. You can attach a hose to the bottle for easy application and the full pack covers up to 5,000 square feet. It’s also completely refillable.
Made from certified essential oils
Not harmful for trees, shrubbery & flowers
Covers around 5,000 square feet
Easy to use
- Brand: Vet’s Best
- Model: 3165810349ONL
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
Now, this product works a little differently from the others that we have reviewed, as it works from the inside – let us explain! This is a natural vitamin complex that has been made to FDA human standards. This has been specially formulated for cats and dogs and works to create a hostile environment for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. There’s no chemicals or pesticides, and so it’s completely harmless for animals – you can even use this on nursing mothers. This liver-flavored vitamin complex also has the added benefit of promoting healthy skin, a shiny coat, supple joints, and less shedding. Give your dog or cat these supplements each day to build up a healthy level of protection.
Vitamin complex
Also promotes a shiny coat, healthy skin, supple joints & less shedding
FDA approved
Does not contain chemicals or pesticides
- Brand: Flea Away
- Model: FLA03933
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
This pet safe bug repellent spray is a natural mosquito repellent made with natural essential oil. The main ingredient is lemongrass oil which has been proven to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes on contact. What we like about this spray – is that it will even remove the eggs and larvae of fleas and other critters. Safe to use on both cats and dogs, this spray doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, on the contrary, the ingredients used are completely natural and veterinarian-approved.
Natural mosquito spray with lemongrass oil
Kills and repels
Suitable for cats, dogs, and your home
Cruelty-free formula
Made in the USA
- Brand: Wondercide
- Weight: 1.13 pounds
We chose this product as our Premium Pick as it really stands out as one of the best insect repellents for dogs. This powerful solution breaks the life cycle of fleas by killing all life stages and can be effectively used to protect dogs against fleas, ticks, flies, lice, and mosquitoes. It’s so simple to use: just simply apply the contents of one tube to your dog’s neck and within 12 x hours, your dog will be protected for up to x 4 months, giving you the ultimate peace of mind knowing that your dog will not be bothered, or indeed harmed by any pests. Your dog will even be protected whilst wet, so you won’t have to worry about not being able to bathe them for the duration!
Waterproof & fragrance-free formula
Kills fleas & lice within 12 x hours
Provides protection against mosquitoes & lice too
Do not use on cats!
- Brand: Advecta
- Model: 960050340004
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
This product is available for dogs of all sizes – always buy the correct product to ensure that the dosage is not too high for your pet. This powerful solution contains imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen, which are vet-quality ingredients that work to repel pests such as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies. It’s really simple to apply and in the pack, you get x 4 month supply, which you can use monthly. It’s totally waterproof too so you won’t need to reapply after your doggo has jumped in the local lake! Pests do not have to bite in order for them to be killed – they just need to have contact with your pet’s skin.
Available for different sized dogs (always check before buying)
Easy to apply
4 x month supply
Waterproof
No biting required for bugs to be killed
Made in the USA
- Brand: TevraPet
- Model: 00003
- Weight: 3.04 ounces
The Absorbine Ultrashield insect repellant spray has been designed with outdoor animals in mind. It is not only effective for dogs but horses as well, so you know it’s made to last. The water-based formula provides your pooch with up to 17 days of weatherproofing protection – perfect for those rainy months. Additionally, they have incorporated sun protection and coat conditioning elements, allowing your dog’s skin and coat to thrive in the sun. Best of all, this insect repellent is super easy to apply and is capable of killing up to 70 different species of insect, including flies, ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats.
Ingredients include pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, permethrin
Kills and repels over 70 insect species
Includes sunscreen and coat conditioner
Weatherproof for up to 17 days
Water-based formula
Easy to use spray bottle
Providing excellent value for money, this Vet’s Best flea and tick spray also does a great job at repelling mosquitoes too. Manufactured from high-quality essential oils that have been extracted using steam distillation, this spray utilizes clove and peppermint for their tough, pest-fighting properties. The formula repels nasties and is totally safe to use on dogs and puppies (older than 12 weeks old). The gentle Vet’s Best formula not only smells great but it will soothe your dog’s skin too.
A gentle formula that smells great!
Made in the USA
Non-staining
Not harmful to plants
Protects against fleas, ticks & mosquitos
- Brand: Vet’s Best
- Model: 3165810346
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
This spray has multiple uses and is perfect for long walks or camping trips where you know mosquitoes and other biting pests will be ready and waiting to have a taste of your dog! It will successfully kill fleas, ticks, and lice and temporarily act as a repellent for nuisance mosquitoes and gnats. This can also be used on your dog’s bedding for double protection.
Kills fleas, lice & ticks
Temporarily repels mosquitoes & gnats
Easy to use
- Brand: Farnam
- Model: 100504542
- Weight: 6.1 ounces
This is a great all-round insect repellent that can be used for the whole family. As it doesn’t contain any DEET, it is totally safe to use on pets as well as humans. This spray helps to repel pests such as sand fleas, fleas, mosquitoes, and more. This is a natural repellent that has been manufactured from a blend of vanilla and lemon, which has been proven time and time again to repel biting bugs. Made in rural Iowa by a female-owned family business, this product is by far one of the most versatile mosquito repellents we have seen – one customer famously uses it for his pet tiger!
Natural DEET-Free spray
Can be used on humans & animals
Repels black flies, no-see-ums, gnats, mosquitoes and more
Lovely lemon and vanilla scent
Doesn’t stain
Tiger-friendly!
- Brand: Bug Soother
- Model: A157
- Weight: 8 ounces
Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs Buying Guide & FAQ
In the guide below we will talk about why it’s important to use a repellent spray for your dog and discuss what you should look out for when buying one. We will also answer your most commonly asked questions, so at the end of this guide, you will know everything you need to know about dog mosquito repellents.
Why You Should Get a Mosquito Repellent for Your Dog
There are countless reasons why you should get a repellent spray with active ingredients for your pet dog. If you live in a warm area or plan to travel with your pet dog in the height of mosquito season then you wouldn’t hesitate to protect your family’s skin – your dog should be no different. As dogs tend to spend lots of time outdoors and cannot bat away annoying gnats, flies, and mosquitoes they are at a high risk of getting bitten. Mosquito bites are not only a major irritation for your dog but they can also be deadly as mosquitos carry diseases. Heartworm is a potentially life-threatening disease that your dog can catch from just one bite. This parasite can live inside your dog for up to seven years and can grow up to a foot long – adult dogs can have up to 250 worms at a time! Seriously nasty. The West Nile Virus can also be harmful to dogs and contracted through just one mosquito bite. On top of this, your dog can also have an allergic reaction to mosquito bites, which can cause swelling, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite.
It’s absolutely vital you protect your dog at all times if you are visiting a place with mosquitoes.
What to Look for in a Mosquito Spray for Dogs
There are a few things you should consider when buying a mosquito repellent:
- Sensitive skin or allergies?
If your dog has sensitive skin then you will have to be careful about what you choose to apply to it. The worst thing that could happen is that you could give your dog a serious allergic reaction and cause them discomfort. Speak to your veterinarian if you have any specific questions but if your dog is sensitive we would say that it’s probably better to avoid chemical repellents.
- DEET-free
Most insect sprays that have been designed to repel mosquitoes in humans contain an ingredient called DEET. This is a highly-effective chemical for humans but is toxic to animals if ingested – and animals do tend to lick their fur. For this reason, you should never use a bug spray that contains DEET on your dog or cat.
- Natural or chemical?
Chemical repellents contain powerful ingredients that are usually very effective. These are often not suitable for pets that have sensitive skin or allergies. You might like to consider a natural repellent spray made from essential oils and natural active ingredients but look out as even some natural oils can cause problems for your dog – geraniol oil has been known to cause gastrointestinal issues with some dogs. Speak to your veterinarian about essential oils to see which essential oil is best for your particular dog.
- Long-lasting or temporary?
Some insect repellents have been designed to keep your pet protected for up to x 4 months. These are normally quite powerful solutions that may not be suitable for your pet. Again – it’s always best to speak to your veterinarian. You can buy temporary pet sprays that can instantly kill fleas and flea eggs and offer temporary protection against mosquitoes.
- Weight
You should always check the weight of your pet before using any chemical mosquito spray. Dogs and cats can be very sensitive to certain pesticides such as permethrin and it can be harmful to give them too much. So always buy according to weight – if you are using a natural spray with essential oils this might not be necessary.
Related Post: Essential Oils for Fleas
How to Use Mosquito Protection for Dogs
There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to this question as mosquito protection can differ from product to product. Some will just require you to spray the product directly onto your pet’s fur – many pet sprays that are made from natural essential oils can normally be applied using this method. Other’s need to be added to the top of your dog or cat’s neck – and these typically last around a month or longer. Other repellents are used to spray the environment -so yards and kennels rather than topically onto your pet. Always check the instructions on the bottle as it could be harmful to use them incorrectly.
Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs FAQ:
Q: Are dog mosquito repellents safe around my pets and children?
A: Products that have been designed to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects often contain pesticides that can be potentially harmful around children, other animals, and plants. If you are concerned about the safety of your family then you should opt for a natural repellent that has been created using essential oils. Check for products that have been FDA approved and are safe to use for humans and animals.
Q: Can I put human bug spray on my dog for protection?
A: You should never use a human bug repellent on your pet dog unless it specifically says on the packet that it is safe to do so. Human mosquito repellent often contains a chemical called DEET which is toxic to animals. It is safer to buy a product that has been specifically designed for your pet – perhaps a non-chemical option using essential oil as its main active ingredient.
Q: How do I make natural mosquito repellent for dogs?
A: If you are looking for a more natural option for your pet then you may like to consider making your own mosquito repellent using essential oil mixed with other ingredients. Although natural, essential oil can be harsh on your dog’s skin so you need to always mix the oil according to instructions and use a carrier oil that is suitable for animals. Think of your pet as no different from us – when we use new products we can often have an undesirable reaction. So it’s important to get the mix just right and always use a suitable carrier oil.
Here is a quick and easy recipe for natural mosquito repellent for dogs…
You will need:
- One large glass spray bottle (as essential oil can breakdown plastic!)
- 15 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 oz carrier oil such as almond oil or witch hazel
- All you need to do is to simply mix the ingredients in the bottle and shake well before applying to your pet. Avoid eyes, ears, and noses!
- It’s always wise to test a little product on your pet to see how they react. Animals can be sensitive creatures, just like us, so we need to take care of their delicate skin.
Our Top Pick
Our absolute favorite was the Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick And Mosquito Prevention For Large Dogs which is perfect for larger dogs. This is a powerful solution that is only suitable for dogs that do not have sensitive skin – but it’s highly effective and will keep working for up to 30 days. Mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and ticks do not have to bite your dog to die – they simply need to come into contact with them. The pack contains 2 x monthly applications and it’s easy to apply.
Sources:
- CAPC Issues First Mosquito Control Guidelines, American Animal Hospital Association
- Pet-Friendly Mosquito Repellents, Animal Humane Society
- Healthy Yard: Insect Control for Your Lawn, WebMD
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