Mosquitoes are not just bothersome, but downright dangerous to pets. Mosquitoes can transmit fatal diseases such as heartworm disease, West Nile Virus, and Tularemia to your pets.
But the mosquito repellents we use on humans are not always pet-safe. Some may even be deadly, such as DEET — which causes tremors, neurological problems, and death.
If you are using conventional mosquito repellents which contain DEET, Pyrethrin, Permethrin, Methomyl, or other inorganic ingredients, you may be putting your pets at grave risk.
Instead, opt for an organic, essential oils-based mosquito repellent. There are several essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and geranium oil that are safe to use on pets in highly diluted amounts (Mix 2-3 drops of essential oil to 1 Tbsp of witch hazel or almond oil).
If you’re still not convinced whether essential oils will keep away mosquitoes and ticks from your pets, here are 5 reasons why you should use them.
Inorganic mosquito repellents are toxic to pets
The most popular mosquito repellents in the market contain one or more of the following ingredients:
- DEET
- Pyrethrin and Permethrin
- Citrus oil derivatives (d-Limonene, linalool)
- Methomyl
- Disulfoton
The general rule of thumb is, if it is inorganic and considered a poison or insecticide/pesticide, it is toxic for your pets.
The most common mosquito repellent is DEET. It causes seizures, vomiting, and death in animals.
Organic mosquito repellents such as essential oil-based repellents are safer for use on animals in small doses.
Inorganic mosquito repellents are not suitable for all pets
Pyrethrin and Permethrin are often prescribed in pill form for dogs as flea, tick, and mosquito bite preventives. But the same pills are severely toxic to cats, causing seizures, tremors, and suffocation.
Essential oils in highly diluted doses are suitable for cats, dogs, and even birds. This saves you the effort of buying multiple types of mosquito repellents if you have pets of different species.
Organic mosquito repellents grow anywhere
Several easy-growing plants have great mosquito-repelling properties and are pet-safe. These also happen to be popular additions to gardens.
Rosemary, catnip, basil, and peppermint plants have great mosquito-repelling properties. Plant them in your garden or grow them in pots in your house to keep away mosquitoes.
If you don’t have growing space, you can opt for their essential oils. Diffuse 1 drop of Tunisian Rosemary Oil or Peppermint Oil for a few hours to keep away mozzies from your surroundings.
Word of caution: Never diffuse more than 1 drop of essential oil in a closed environment if you have pets. Any more and it can cause sensitivities, diarrhea, and toxicity in your pets.
Aromatherapeutic benefits of organic mosquito repellents
Have a highly anxious dog? You can try essential oils to help them relax while also keeping them safe from bugs.
Lavender oil is a great essential oil to help a high-strung pet relax and it has antimicrobial and mosquito-repelling properties.
Dilute 1 drop of lavender oil with 1.5 Tbsp of Coconut oil and rub on your pet’s ears or diffuse 1 drop of lavender oil in a large, ventilated room with your pet in it.
No unknown ingredients in organic mosquito repellents
Ever seen the back of a tube of conventional mosquito repellent spray or cream? It probably has dozens of chemicals whose exact functions and side effects you may not exactly know.
Instead of putting potentially toxic chemicals on your beloved pet, make your own organic mosquito repellent at home.
What you need:
- ½ cup of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ cup of Witch Hazel
- 8 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
- A spray bottle
Shake all the ingredients and spray on your pet avoiding the eyes, mouth, genitals, and any open wounds. Shake the bottle well before every use as the ingredients tend to separate.
Caution: Monitor your pets closely for any reactions or sensitivities to the essential oils. Immediately contact a vet if they show unusual behaviour.
The Best Pet-friendly Mosquito Repellent
Ok, so based on the information above you’ve decided to ditch the inorganic mosquito repellents but are looking for an effective, pet-safe organic mosquito repellent that doesn’t involve buying too many ingredients or experimentation.
Don’t worry, we got you covered.
Your best option for pet-safe mosquito repellents that actually work is essential oils. But — not all essential oils are safe to use on pets.
There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet on what essential oils are safe to use on pets. To save you time, I have spent years researching what essential oils can be used on pets. I have chosen the most effective mosquito repellent essential oils that are safe for pets and have created my own mosquito repellent spray.
Ollie’s Mosquito Repellent Spray is made with 10 mosquito-repelling essential oils in pet-safe concentrations. You can spray it on yourself, your family and on your pets. It is safe for pregnant women and very young children as well.
