Babara Bush
With the arrival of summer, along with warm evenings and good weather, a problem appears mosquitoes, midges, and other insects that cause discomfort to both pets and their owners. Moreover, they bite not only people but also dogs. Moreover, these insects sometimes pose a much greater danger to animals than to humans. How to protect your dog from mosquitoes?
Intrusive mosquitoes and midges are not averse to feasting on the blood of pets, and often these bites remain unnoticed by the owner of the dog. But this does not mean that the animal easily tolerates them.
Short-haired and hairless dogs usually suffer from insect bites. Medium to long-coated breeds has natural hair protection. However, they also have vulnerabilities: ears and muzzle.
What is the danger of mosquito bites?
Allergic reactions
Of course, it is not difficult to notice an allergy to a mosquito bite in a dog: as a rule, this place is very swollen, itchy, and the local temperature rises. If there are many bites, the swelling can be quite severe.
Helminths
Another danger is that mosquitoes, through a bite, can infect an animal with a disease such as dirofilariasis. This heartworm is a special type of parasite that lives under the skin, muscles, lungs, and sometimes even the heart of a dog. A person can also be infected with dirofilariasis, but in his body, the worm does not reach puberty and therefore is not so dangerous. Without proper treatment, parasites in the dog’s body develop quickly enough and can provoke thrombosis or embolism.
Preventing a danger is much easier than getting rid of the effects of a bite. Moreover, today in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies you can easily find a suitable mosquito repellent for dogs. What are they like?
How to protect your dog from mosquitoes?
The most popular means of protection are collars, sprays, and drops. Let’s dwell on each of them in more detail:
Collar
A mosquito collar for dogs is a long-lasting remedy. When worn regularly, it is believed to be able to protect the animal for 5-6 months. In this case, the remedy usually acts not only on mosquitoes but also on fleas and ticks.
Spray
One of the most popular remedies is mosquito repellent spray for dogs. Typically, these drugs work from a week to a month. The sprays are also effective against other insects, including fleas and ticks.
It is important to remember that a dog treated with a spray should not be bathed, as most of these drugs dissolve in water.
Therefore, we must not forget to re-spray the pet with a spray every time after water procedures.
Drops
Mosquito droplets can work for up to 8 weeks. Most manufacturers offer comprehensive protection against various insects. Water-resistant preparations are produced in the form of drops. This means that if the dog gets caught in the rain or bathes in a pond, the drops will not stop acting.
You should only buy dog protection from your veterinary pharmacy or pet store. You should not buy them in supermarkets or in the market to avoid counterfeiting.
Moreover, you can not use funds intended for humans! In preparations for pets, substances that are safe for animals are used in a certain proportion and dosage.
That is why they must be of high quality and proven.
Rules for the use of mosquito repellents
Read the instructions carefully before use. Follow the manufacturer’s directions as not all products are used and work the same;
Pay attention to the expiration date, the integrity of the packaging;
Often, after applying the drug, the dog needs to be temporarily isolated from other pets and make sure that it does not lick itself;
The drops are applied to the withers of the dog so that the animal cannot reach and lick it off. You should remember this and do not stroke your pet for some time after application, so as not to erase the drug;
If you have a pregnant or lactating dog, a weakened animal, or a puppy, choose special preparations for this category of pets. A veterinary pharmacy specialist will recommend the best option.
You can often hear about folk remedies for protecting dogs from insects, but they will not always have an effect, moreover, they can harm the animal. Therefore, it is better to refrain from using strongly-smelling substances, especially from applying them to the pet’s coat.