mosquito repellent for dogs

[tonymull]

Nothing comes up on a search, but anyone have ideas?? One of our small dogs has pretty thin fur and Alaska has a lot of mosquitos.

[Naio]

tonymull wrote:
SI saw a consumer report on the news last night that compared repellents. Basically it found DEET to be the best (already knew that)then permethrin, and a new product from REPEL that is lemon/eucalyptus. All the 'natural' products and skin so soft failed badly (already knew that).

Of course, REPEL is a natural product.

Isn't it funny how, when people have the idea that 'natural cannot work' they stop thinking of the things that DO work as natural? Digitalis is a good example, and penicillin, and vaccines.

tonymull wrote:

Super_Dave wrote:
When I was a backpacker, vitamin B taken orally released natural mosquito repelling odor.

Many Alaska natives use this tactic and it works. Vitamin b-6 is the one that works. I tried it for a couple of summers in Alaska and it really cut down on the bites. Not as effective as DEET but you don't have to remember to reapply. Not sure how it would work for dogs. Worth some thought.

Cool to know!

I would definitely check with a veterinarian. Safe dog doses of vitamins are different from human doses, and too much can kill. But they can tell you what dose is good for a doggie.

[tonymull]

loggenrock wrote:
I use 2 approaches - 1st - I have a bandanna that I spray with permethrin - one treatment lasts approx 4-6 weeks, including washings - so when he gets it wet it doesn't matter. Note - permethrin is ONLY sprayed on "things", not beings - human or canine. Allow it to dry 4 hours minimum before contact. Bandanna is pre-tied in a loop that goes over his neck like a collar - easy on and off. 2nd - I do use DEET - google "safety of DEET". What do you think they do all that testing on? Often K9's... Something like 3 BILLION applications - it's safe. MUCH lower risk from DEET exposure than getting infected with EEE, West Nile, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme, the list goes on. After I apply DEET to me, I wipe my hands on his underbelly (most vulnerable spot for bug bites I've found). Never had an issue with any of my dogs trying to lick it off. ST

Great ideas. Always been a DEET fan for me. That lemon/eucalyptus stuff tested out better than premethrin and almost as good as DEET. I have some on order to try. I go to some of the buggiest places on the continent so I'll know by fall.

[loggenrock]

I use 2 approaches - 1st - I have a bandanna that I spray with permethrin - one treatment lasts approx 4-6 weeks, including washings - so when he gets it wet it doesn't matter. Note - permethrin is ONLY sprayed on "things", not beings - human or canine. Allow it to dry 4 hours minimum before contact. Bandanna is pre-tied in a loop that goes over his neck like a collar - easy on and off. 2nd - I do use DEET - google "safety of DEET". What do you think they do all that testing on? Often K9's... Something like 3 BILLION applications - it's safe. MUCH lower risk from DEET exposure than getting infected with EEE, West Nile, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme, the list goes on. After I apply DEET to me, I wipe my hands on his underbelly (most vulnerable spot for bug bites I've found). Never had an issue with any of my dogs trying to lick it off. ST

[Stormpeakco]

A possible consideration would be Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent called REPEL.
Only thing we use on ourselves, non-DEET containing, smells great, trouble-trying to keep your pooch from licking it once applied (spray on your hands and wipe the under belly of the dog and wash it off when back inside?). Run it by your vet?? They do have some K-9 heart worm there in AK. good luck

[tonymull]

Interesting is that the best working repellents are not really repellents. DEET, premethrin, etc work by blocking a mosquito's sensors so they cannot see you (it's like an invisibility cloak Frodo!)whereas various 'natural' ones are things mosquitoes don't like, they depend on being repellent. This I suppose is why they don't work as well. There may be the occasional skeeter with glasses, but we all know that if you want something bad enough you'll hold your nose and go for it 😉

[Far_Roamer]

Try searching cedarwood oil, there are a few homemade recipes for pet friendly insect repellent and I think there are a couple of commercial products as well, I have not tried it yet so I cannot vouch for it's safeness or effectiveness.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

tonymull wrote:
a new product from REPEL that is lemon/eucalyptus.

I can vouch for how well this stuff works on humans; I suspect a dog will think it stinks to high heavens, but that might apply to ANY mosquito repellent? I brought along bug hoods (the kind that go over a human's head) for my dogs when we went to Alaska, but since we went later in the summer, we had no bug problems.

Another thought would be to soak a bandana in repellent, then take it off when the dog is inside?

[billtex]

Super_Dave wrote:
When I was a backpacker, vitamin B taken orally released natural mosquito repelling odor.

Beer repels mosquitos?!
Psyched...

[tonymull]

Super_Dave wrote:
When I was a backpacker, vitamin B taken orally released natural mosquito repelling odor.

Many Alaska natives use this tactic and it works. Vitamin b-6 is the one that works. I tried it for a couple of summers in Alaska and it really cut down on the bites. Not as effective as DEET but you don't have to remember to reapply. Not sure how it would work for dogs. Worth some thought.

[Super_Dave]

When I was a backpacker, vitamin B taken orally released natural mosquito repelling odor.

[tonymull]

Some time reading and looking online, looks like some sort of permethrin impregnated gear is the best solution. It's toxic for cats but our dogs are not around them when camping. I saw a consumer report on the news last night that compared repellents. Basically it found DEET to be the best (already knew that)then permethrin, and a new product from REPEL that is lemon/eucalyptus. All the 'natural' products and skin so soft failed badly (already knew that). That test was for ticks which are not much of a concern in the northwest, but I think it will apply for mosquitoes too. They applied the product and if 2 ticks crossed onto the treated skin they considered it a failure. Thanks for the input.

[Naio]

This might vary by body chemistry or something, but I personally have found Herbal Armour to be more effective than 100% DEET.

Your dogs might not like to be coated in it, but herbal flea and tick collars seem to have many of the same ingredients, and are cheap. I'd start with one of those, and add more options if needed.

Bonus: Might also keep away fleas and ticks.

[tonymull]

Puttin wrote:
Sorry if this sounds dumb but why couldn't you use a spray that us humans use? Obviously around the head you'd spray on your hands and then put it on their faces, etc. Just wondering.....

Not dumb, but dogs lick themselves too much for that to work. I've probably used a gallon or two of 100% DEET over the years and inadvertently getting it on your lips is very unpleasant, numbing.

[Puttin]

Sorry if this sounds dumb but why couldn't you use a spray that us humans use? Obviously around the head you'd spray on your hands and then put it on their faces, etc. Just wondering.....

[2lazy4U]

I did a lot of research on what's out there and decided I didn't want to put chemicals all over my dogs, especially since they sleep with me. I opted to buy a bug jacket for each of them. Search for Coghlan's Bug Jacket on Amazon. I got a size small and I have cattle dogs. It works great. Took a bit for them to get used to it, but they seem to understand what it's for. With a small dog you could maybe make your own from mosquito netting or even use a bug hat. The secret is to tie it on so they can;t shake it off. The mosquitoes don't seem to be too bad this year from reports so far, maybe because it's been so dry.