The sun is out, and unfortunately, mosquitoes are too. Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as heartworm and West Nile. Dog owners want to protect their pets as much as they can and many wonder if human bug sprays are safe to use on their 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.
Many home-made recipes for mosquito repellent found online can be extremely toxic for your dogs. Sticking to products that are made for dogs is the safest thing to do. A lot of flea and tick medication procure protection against mosquitoes as well.
K9 Advantix is an excellent example of a convenient monthly topical application that kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. It’s specially formulated for dogs, and you can buy this product at any veterinary hospital/clinic.
Give us a call at 506-384-4838, and we can help you decide on the best solution for your pet.
Written by: Acadia Veterinary Hospital
