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. For this reason, you should also not let your dog lick your skin after applying bug spray.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers.
Apple Cider Vinegar – The smell of vinegar alone is enough to repel a mosquito, but apple cider vinegar is more than just a repellent. It is a natural conditioner to the skin and hair. It is also great for adding shine and luster to the coat. Strain herbs from the ACV and spray onto your dog.
Tea tree oil when used properly in dogs can heal dry, damaged skin, kill yeast, kill fleas and scabies, and soothe the itchy skin caused by airborne allergens.
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.
You can make your own insect repellent at home using natural ingredients such as essential oils like citronella and lemon eucalyptus. Combining bug repelling essential oils in a spray bottle with water and a carrier oil or vodka creates a natural bug spray you can put directly on your dog's fur to repel the bugs.
Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray. It is effective in repelling ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and many others. Acidity of the vinegar is potent enough to kill many pests.
The 12 Best Pet Safe Pesticides
| Pesticide | Great for… |
|---|
| Eco Defense Home Pest Control Spray | Your home |
| NatureShield® Insect & Pest Repellent | Gardening |
| Bonide® Hot Pepper Wax Ready-to-Use | Gardening |
| True Stopâ„¢ Fire Ant Killer | Ants |
Mix 1 part oil of lemon eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel in the bottle. (For each drop of oil, use 10 drops of witch hazel.) Shake gently to mix. Spray to apply.
Essential oils that are safe for dogs include:
- Myrrh.
- Frankincense.
- Chamomile.
- Lavender oil.
- Ginger.
- Rosemary.
- Bergamot.
Vinegar. Combine 1 quart of water, 1 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of baby shampoo or liquid dish soap. Use this mixture to bathe your dog once or twice a month. Vinegar kills fleas and ticks on contact and can prevent future infestations.
The study found that fatty acids derived from coconut oil had long-lasting insect-repelling properties against flies, ticks, bed bugs and mosquitoes. Zhu's study says many natural repellents quickly lose their effect on insects.
Homemade Natural Dog Repellent
- Chili Pepper – This is one of the most common and most effective dog repellents.
- Ammonia – Dogs are not particularly fond of the smell of ammonia.
- Vinegar – Vinegar is another strong-smelling scent that will act as a repellent to dogs.
Keeping Fleas and Ticks AwayTo make your own flea and tick repellent, mix one part vinegar with one part water and spray it on your pet's fur. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to help repel fleas and ticks from the inside out.
Smells That Repel Dogs
- Citrus. Nearly all dogs dislike the smell of citrus, whether it's oranges, lemons, limes or grapefruit.
- Chili Pepper. Capsaicin, the chemical that puts the spice in chili peppers, is irritating to a dog's sensitive nose.
- Vinegar.
- Mothballs.
- Ammonia.
- Rubbing Alcohol.
TOP-10 Best Dog Repellents
- Grannick's Bitter Apple | Best Dog Repellent Spray to Protect Your Shoes.
- Halt!
- The Company of Animals Pet Corrector.
- Electronic Dog Repellent and Trainer with LED Flashlight.
- First Alert Bark Genie Handheld Bark Control Device.
- SAFETY-SPORT DOG HORN XL | Attack Deterrent.
