Mosquitos are annoying, but for your dog, they can be deadly. Heartworm, which used to be a problem only in warm, southern states, has now spread to every state in the country, except for Alaska.
Without treatment, which can be very costly and take months to complete, dogs infected by this mosquito-borne illness will die.
One powerful option you have in the fight against heartworm is doggy mosquito repellant. Of course, this tool only helps protect your dog if it actually works.
That's why we scoured the market to find the most effective mosquito repellents and insecticides available. Every product on our list of the best mosquito repellents for dogs comes highly recommended by veterinarians and with rave reviews from users. We've even got some deet-free products to fit a more natural approach to heartworm prevention.
Disclosure:It is important you understand that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement.Mosquito Repellent For Dogs - Summary Table
The Best Dog Mosquito Repellent
K9 Advantix II Flea Tick and Mosquito Prevention is a once-a-month topical gel with the power to kill mosquitos the second they land on your dog's fur. The fast-acting formula begins working in less than 12 hours and remains eff ective for 30 days.
In addition to mosquitos, this product is also effective against fleas, ticks, and biting flies. The active ingredient, Permethrin, does not absorb well through the skin. Instead, it spreads out along the dermis of your pup, providing protection from external parasites without entering the body.
This safe, easy-to-use mosquito prevention is on the pricier side but is as effective a solution as you're likely to find for your four-legged friend.
What We Look for in Bug Repellents For Dogs
In order to qualify for our list of the best canine mosquito repellents, each product had to demonstrate that it was effective in preventing mosquito bites, that it had a safe active ingredient, and was easy to apply.
Effectiveness
Whether for humans or dogs, a mosquito repellent is nothing but a waste of money if it isn't effective. We raised the bar even higher in our choices by picking only products that are proven effective in repelling or killing mosquitoes before they get the chance to bite.
Active Ingredients
There are several chemical and natural compounds that have been proven effective against mosquitoes. But only a handful of these is safe to use on your pet.
We looked specifically for active ingredients that are known to be safe for use in canines. In addition to a few traditional chemical repellents, we mainly chose deet-free, natural sprays that are extra-safe for the whole family to be around.
Application Method
Nobody enjoys being sprayed down with bug spray, especially the family dog. And some hate it much more than others. We chose quick and easy-to-apply products so you and your pooch can get back to having fun faster.
We've featured some products that only need to be applied monthly and others that can be re-upped as required. This way, you can choose the right product for your particular needs.
Mosquito Spray For Dogs - Reviews
In areas where heartworm infections are high, you don't want to take any chances. That's where our top pick product, K9 Advantix II Flea Tick and Mosquito Prevention, comes in.
This highly effective formula kills mosquitoes on contact before they have a chance to bite your dog and spread disease. Unlike other topical applications, this one also repels mosquitos, so your pup doesn't have to deal with buzzing insects following them around.
The main active ingredient in Advantix is Permethrin. This ingredient is highly toxic to cats and, but it is safe for dogs. Instead of entering the bloodstream of the animal, this product stays on the surface of the skin. Because of this, it has fewer side effects than many topical pesticides.
Advantix is easy to apply and requires minimal effort on your part. The gel is applied over the dog's spine once every 30 days. It will start to work within 12 hours and is completely waterproof after 24 hours.
Like all chemical parasite treatments, this one comes with risks, so it is always worth conferring with your vet before starting this treatment. But most dogs do tolerate Advantix well. This treatment is on the pricier side but well worth it if you live in an area where heartworm is a big concern.
Vet's Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats
Another great all-natural choice is Vet's Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats.
This easy-to-apply spray is perfect for those doggies that only need occasional mosquito protection. This smaller-sized bottle is ideal for packing with the camping gear or taking to the park. Plus, you can apply this repellent as often as once every two hours.
This formula is similar to Wondercide's formula and also features lemongrass oil. The second active ingredient is geraniol oil, which is derived from the citronella plant. All the ingredients are produced in the USA and are safe for use around dogs and people.
Vet's Best mosquito spray isn't quite as powerful as the previous two we've featured, but it will significantly cut down on mosquito activity. It also has a pleasant smell-something like lemonade.
Users have found this product to be less greasy than other natural options. Still, expect your dog to need a bath after a week of camping and using this product.
To apply Vet's Best, simply spritz your doggy down and rub it in as needed. Avoid spraying it directly on the face.
You can't beat the ease of use or the price of this natural mosquito repellent.
If you're worried about the side effects possible with chemical mosquito treatments, Wondercide Mosquito Spray for Dogs is a great option.
Lab tests have proven that this natural spray repels and kills more than 98% of mosquitoes. And, unlike other natural sprays, it is completely safe for use on and around cats, so you don't have to worry about inadvertent contact.
The two active ingredients in Wondercide are lemongrass oil and cedarwood oil. Both are toxic to insects but completely harmless to mammals. Plus, they have a pleasing odor that won't keep you from cuddling up with your pup.
For use on dogs, Wondercide is available in a spray. To apply it, simply mist your dog's body, then rub it into their fur using your hands. Spray a little on your hands and run it over their muzzle and ears to protect their head.
For small dogs, puppies, and cats, this repellent is also available in wipes.
The spray typically lasts a few days, but you can reapply as often as needed. If the animal gets wet or gets a bath, you will need to apply it after drying off.
This mosquito repellent for dogs is an effective natural product that is priced very well. However, it takes a little more effort to apply than a monthly treatment but is worth a little extra work to keep your pup safe.
Bug Soother Spray is an all-around insect repellant that the entire family can use -and we do mean EVERYBODY.
Not only is this spray safe for humans and dogs, but you can also use it on cats, horses, chickens, and plants! It is most effective against gnats and biting flies but works as a decent repeller for mosquitoes and other obnoxious insects.
In addition to lemongrass oil, this spray also features castor oil and vitamin E -two ingredients that will help keep your pup's coat soft and healthy. It also has a great smell.
Like other sprays, this one is easy to apply. Simply mist your pup and rub it into their fur, being careful to avoid getting the spray in their eyes and mouth.
The standard order comes with two large 8 oz bottles and one handy 1 oz bottle for travel. You can also choose a multi-bottle pack with up to 4 bottles of various sizes. It is a touch more expensive than other natural options but well worth the price overall.
This product comes from an Iowa-based small family business that uses quality US ingredients.
For serious, long-lasting mosquito repelling, Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide Spray is one of the best options out there.
This sprayable pesticide kills mosquitoes, fleas, and other parasitic insects on contact. It also repels them and is perfect for use around the kennel and dog house. This formula is mainly marketed to horse owners, many of whom swear by it.
If it can keep flies off horses, it can keep mosquitoes off your pooch.
It has three active ingredients: pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, and permethrin. These chemicals work together to kill bugs on contact. There can be side effects like other pesticide treatments, but overall, adult dogs can tolerate this product.
Absorbine should be applied directly to your dog's body. Once dry, it forms a water-proof bond with the hair and skin, allowing it to last up to 17 days between applications.
This spray comes in a large bottle that is pretty well priced, considering how effective it is and how long it will last the average dog owner.
Like Bug Soother, Medella Naturals Insect & Mosquito Repellent is an excellent choice for dog owners that prefer an as-needed, all-natural repellent.
This US-made product is effective against mosquitoes as well as a long list of biting flying insects. It is marketed to both people and pets and is highly safe for use by the entire family.
The main ingredient in this product is also lemongrass oil. It also contains vanilla, vitamin E, and other nose and skin-friendly additives. You can feel good about using this product on your kids, whether they have two legs or four.
Like other natural products that contain only lemongrass oil, the effectiveness of this spray will depend on the type of mosquitoes around and how often you apply. Luckily, there is no risk of overdoing it with this product. It smells great and won't irritate the skin.
As with other sprays, you can apply Medella by misting your pup and rubbing them down.
This option has a reasonable price tag, but the bottle quality leaves a lot to be desired as many users have found the nozzle to be unreliable.
Nantucket Spider Natural Bug Repellent is formulated just for dogs. Unlike many other natural sprays, Nantucket is better tolerated by furry four-legged companions.
This formula is similar to the company's original mosquito spray but lacks the citrus oils dogs dislike. It is also free of clove oil, which can be toxic to dogs. But it is still highly effective, repelling 99% of mosquitoes.
The essential oils that this product does contain-peppermint, geranium, thyme, cedarwood, and more-are all highly effective in repelling mosquitoes. Plus, they smell great! And they are all very safe to use on dogs young and old.
This bottle has a better spray trigger than most. You will definitely appreciate it if you have a large dog that takes multiple sprays to coat thoroughly.
Like other natural products, you can reapply this mosquito repellent for dogs as needed.
Given the unique formula, user-friendly, 100% post-consumer recycled spray bottle, and effectiveness of this product, we'd say it is pretty well priced, despite being more expensive than other options.
Dog Whisperer Insect Repellent is another great, dog-specific formula we love for keeping biting pests at bay.
This product was made specifically to treat and prevent flea and tick infections, but it also works exceptionally well for mosquito protection.
It contains a long list of essential oil ingredients, with peppermint and cedarwood making up the bulk of the formula. But, don't worry. Dogs tolerate these oils very well.
This product comes in two sizes. The 4oz bottle is perfect for travel and sticking in the hiking backpack. The larger 16 oz size comes in a handy easy-spray bottle that won't irritate your hand muscles, no matter how big your pup is.
You can apply the Dog Whisperer repellant as needed. All you have to do is spritzing your pup and rubbing the mist into their fur. Do be sure to reapply if your dog gets wet.
This product will cost you a decent amount, especially the large bottle. But most customers are happy to make the investment for an all-natural mosquito repellent that works.
Specification Comparison Table
Other Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Pets
Mosquito sprays and treatments are a must for adventures out in the woods and around the lake. But if you are looking to buy one of these products for use around the house, you have a few more options.
There are plenty of things you can do to reduce how many mosquitoes live and feed in your yard. One of the simplest is to kill mosquito larvae before they turn into bloodsuckers is by treating your water with a mosquito killer.
Once the babies have been taken care of, here are a few things you can try to get rid of the adults.
Mosquito Repellent Plants
There are a ton of plants out there that are known to repel mosquitoes. Planting these varieties around the house can help keep your yard mosquito-free.
To see a complete list of mosquito-repelling plants, check out this article.
Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps are another excellent option for attracting and killing mosquitoes on your property. Many of these devices use harmless carbon dioxide to attract these flying pests and trap them. Others use UV to lure and kill the bugs on contact.
Click here to see some of the best mosquito traps on the market.
Bug Zappers
Bug zappers are one of many mosquito-killing options out there. These devices use UV light to attract mosquitoes into an electrified wire mesh that kills them on contact. This option is not as effective as CO2 attractants but will reduce your mosquito population gradually over time.
Keep Your Dog Free of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can quickly turn from annoying to deadly to your pup if they happen to be carrying heartworm. Luckily, there are many great mosquito repellents out there to keep your dog safe.
If you live in a high-heartworm-positive area, your best bet is K9 Advantix II Flea Tick and Mosquito Prevention For Dogs. This highly effective formula protects your dog 24/7 and only needs to be applied once a month.
For spot protection during hikes or camping trips, Wondercide Mosquito Spray for Dogs is an excellent choice. This all-natural formula works as well as chemical sprays but is much safer for you and your pup.
