Happy Wild Out Whiskers Wednesday, Missians!
Thanks for joining us for another edition of Missy's Blog--the blog that continues to be your premier source for fun and informative pet topics. With the heat of summer still in full effect in most places (in the US, at least), it's important to know what's needed to protect your favorite hound from those pesky blood suckers--the world's most annoying insect--mosquitoes. Since yesterday was World Mosquito Day, I thought it would be fitting to discuss some ways of fending off these disease-carrying nuisances.
Mosquitoes not only plague us humans, but they also bite and irritate our pets as well. In today's post, we're covering ways to help guard your dog against bites from these painful pests, (and if they do get bitten, what you can do about it).
Today's information is courtesy of the barkpost.com article, "How to Protect Your Dog From Mosquito Bites."
https://barkpost.com/discover/mosquito-prevention-dogs/
DO avoid leaving stagnant water around your home
DON’T walk your dog during peak mosquito times
DON’T ignore natural remedies
Thanks for joining us for another edition of Missy's Blog--the blog that continues to be your premier source for fun and informative pet topics. With the heat of summer still in full effect in most places (in the US, at least), it's important to know what's needed to protect your favorite hound from those pesky blood suckers--the world's most annoying insect--mosquitoes. Since yesterday was World Mosquito Day, I thought it would be fitting to discuss some ways of fending off these disease-carrying nuisances.
Mosquitoes not only plague us humans, but they also bite and irritate our pets as well. In today's post, we're covering ways to help guard your dog against bites from these painful pests, (and if they do get bitten, what you can do about it).
Today's information is courtesy of the barkpost.com article, "How to Protect Your Dog From Mosquito Bites."
https://barkpost.com/discover/mosquito-prevention-dogs/
t’s summer, but to us dog owners we know what season it really is: flea/tick/mosquito season. It’s that time of the year when you become wary of letting your dog walk through ominous-looking grass and uncut lawns. After all, mosquito bites carry deadly consequences and can transmit diseases like heartworm and West Nile. But if encasing your dog in a protective, unpenetrable bubble doesn’t work for you, here are some ways to keep your dog safe and bite-free all summer.
DON’T use human insect repellent on your dog
Human bug sprays are great for us, but they’re toxic for our furry friends. DEET, the main ingredient in most drugstore bug sprays, can cause vomiting, seizures, and skin irritation when exposed to dogs.
When applying bug spray, make sure your dog doesn’t lick your skin, and if they do, contact your vet immediately.
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| Don't let them bite me! |
DO avoid leaving stagnant water around your home
Mosquitoes, much like humans, need water to live. Restricting their access to water is the best way to keep adult mosquitoes from breeding and, thus, unleashing more mosquitoes into your home.
To prevent this, eliminate any standing water around your home (like the puddle of water behind your air conditioner or the dish of three-day-old water under your plants). You might also want to empty your dog’s water bowl at night when you know they won’t be drinking it.
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| Do you really want this disgusting creature biting your pet? |
DON’T walk your dog during peak mosquito times
Just like how us humans have rush hours, mosquitoes have their own time of the day when they’re the most active, and those times are at dawn and dusk. Avoid walking your dog during these hours and they’ll be less likely to be bitten.
DO buy insect-repellent products made for dogs
Fairly self-explanatory, but stick to products that are made for dogs. That way you know they’re safe to use. Most flea and tick products are formulated to repel mosquitoes as well.
K9 Advantix and Bio Spot are two examples of great triple-action products that should keep your dog free of bites all summer long. You can also buy sprays and other insect repellents from your pet store.
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| Hope there aren't any mosquitoes in this grass... |
DON’T ignore natural remedies
If you’re not comfortable using chemicals on yourself, let alone your dog, there are lots of natural remedies for mosquito prevention that work just as well as the chemical ones. Lemon eucalyptus oil is an effective repellent that keeps mosquitoes (and possibly other people) at bay with its repugnant smell.
Geranium oil and soybean oil when mixed together can also be used as a repellent. Although you can find products with these ingredients in health food stores, you can also mix together these oils yourself and make your own D.I.Y. bug spray.
DO fix any broken window screens in your home
Most mosquitoes get into the home through open windows or broken window screens. If you wake up with new bites on your arms, your windows might not be protecting you and your dog-roommate as much as you think.
Be wary of any holes or tears in screens that might be letting bugs in. And don’t forget to fill in the gap between the air conditioner and the window frame, too. Follow all these tips and you’ll have a healthy, bite-free dog all summer long. Frolic away!
*Mosquito bite treatment and symptoms in dogs is courtesy of wagwalking.com:
When dogs and cats are bitten by mosquitoes, they experience the same itching and irritation as humans. The following symptoms could indicate mosquito bites:
- Constant scratching
- Rubbing ears or nose against a rough surface
- Red welts similar to mosquito bites in humans
- Systemic illness from mosquito-borne parasite infection
- Coughing
- Respiratory difficulty
- Lethargy or depression
- Intolerance to exercise
- Lack of appetite or weight loss
- Vomiting (cats)
Treatment of Mosquito Bites in Dogs
Insect repellent is often used to reduce mosquito bites in humans, but it can be unsafe for dogs and cats. Any human designed spray, especially those that contain DEET, may be toxic and should be avoided. Choose a repellant that is tested specifically on your pet, preferably with the advice of a veterinarian. Environmental repellants such as sandalwood or citronella candles may be more advisable if you cannot find a spray that is safe for pets.
If your dog or cat is suffering from severe discomfort related to mosquito bites the veterinarian may be able to prescribe or recommend a treatment to reduce the itching. Otherwise, no treatment is necessary. Dogs that test positive for mosquito-borne heartworm infection are usually treated with an arsenic-containing medication given in small doses over the course of several months. This medication is not safe to use in cats. No treatment is currently available for cats diagnosed with heartworm infection. However, monthly preventive medication can be given to both dogs and cats and is usually effective at eliminating the risk of infection.
For more info on protecting your pet continue reading the rest of the article at the link provided above. Well, that's it for now, fur friends. I'll see you all back here on Monday for our National Dog Day post.
Until then, let's work harder to protect our canine, (and cat) friends from mosquito bites. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Until Monday,
This is your host J,
signing off...
Until then, let's work harder to protect our canine, (and cat) friends from mosquito bites. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Until Monday,
This is your host J,
signing off...
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| Make it a mission to protect your pet from mosquitoes! |
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