Dog-Friendly Mosquito Repellent
Whether you are camping, hiking, or lounging around your backyard this summer, there are bound to be thousands of unwanted guests, and nothing ruins a party like mosquitoes. All it takes is one person to say, “I’m getting bit” and the party is officially over, or the hiking is no longer fun. AND, if you are getting bit, your dog is getting bit.
Bug spray or insect repellent is a booming industry this time of year, so it’s important to know what’s safe to share with your dog to keep the flying pests away. As an easy rule of thumb, ask yourself, if you were to lick bug spray off of your arm, would it be safe? If your insect repellent contains chemicals such as DEET, the answer is no.
The great news is that the CDC, as well as the US Department of Agriculture, have determined that Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is not only safe for use, but happens to be the most effective at keeping you from being attacked by bugs. They tested four synthetic and eight natural mosquito repellents and Lemon Eucalyptus Oil won! It also happens to be the only natural repellent for mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus, and additionally, keeps ticks and other biting pests away.
You can find bug spray containing Lemon Eucalyptus oil easily at places like Walgreens, Target and REI made by companies like Repel and Coleman (yes, the camping gear company). Grab a bottle for you and your pooch and be sure to reapply every 2 hours, as the effectiveness lasts for exactly 120.1 minutes, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Imagine the poor guy who had to find that out the hard way!
Have fun and be safe, and quit licking your arm.