Natural Bug Repellents for Dogs

Summer is upon us, and with it comes a deluge of nasty insects – ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, flies and more. While you may be treating your dog with a monthly pill or topical, these chemical treatments often only kill an insect once it bites. That is not a good thing, because your dog may develop allergic reactions to insect bites. Worse, they could contract deadly illnesses like Lyme Disease or heartworm, so it is important to use something that will repel insects from biting your dog – especially during the summer months. This article explores natural bug repellents for dogs that can be used for this purpose in over the counter forms and DIY remedies.

Over the Counter Natural Repellents

There are many over the counter natural  bug repellent sprays and wipes. Selecting the right one comes down to knowing the key ingredient. The following oils and herbs are found to be both safe and effective:

• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Eucalyptus
• Citronella
• Apple Cider Vinegar

Sprays and wipes that contain the above are pretty good for repelling common summer insects. They are perfect for walks, short trips or all-day events. But because they don’t have a lasting effect, daily or frequent application is necessary.

Below are a few over the counter sprays we found with one or more of these ingredients that had credible studies done on them.

“Repel” Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent
According to a 2002 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, which compared different synthetic chemical and herbal repellents, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120.1 minutes of mosquito protection, more than a repellent with a low concentration of the chemical DEET (Off Skintastic for Kids with 4.75% DEET provided 88.4 minutes of protection) and less than Off Deep Woods with 23.8% DEET, which provided 301.5 minutes of protection.

Pooch Protect Bug repellent Spray
The primary ingredient in this product is lemongrass. Sold by Pet Welling Being, it contains ingredients to confuse the sensory receptors of insects. When sprayed onto the coat of a dog, the insects fail to detect their host and move on. Secondly, there are ingredients that literally repel insects, making the host undesirable.

Lolablue’s Blissful Body Armor
OK, we do have a favorite here. This spray is safe for your dogs AND you! While we can’t reveal all their ingredients (all organic and proprietary – kinda like McDonald’s Secret Sauce but much healthier!) They include ingredients mentioned in both the above sprays. Unlike the other sprays, Blissful Body Spray does not have a lot of “filler” ingredients. We sell it at The Artful Canine because we know firsthand that it is safe for your dog – we use it on ours.

DIY/Home Natural Repellents

Want to make your own natural bug repellents for dogs? If you are the crafty kind you could, since you now know the active ingredients. We found a few websites that offer instructions. Below are links to a few recipes.

Life with Dogs

Wellness Mama

The Hippy Homemaker

Got a recipe or know one that we haven’t covered here? Please share!

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