Bug repellent spray for dogs?

[Bluecatt]

We were at the cottage this weekend for the first time this year with our 3˝ month old puppy. She loved it but unfortunately the black flies loved her too! Stupid me didn't even think about getting bug spray for her. Anyone know of a good pet bug spray that I can use for her next time?

[SnowDancer]

Your pup is young - I would suggest you ask your vet - OR hire me since no one - man nor beast - is bitten if I am anywhere close. My Eskie has already figured that one out. And the bees are seriously huge this year - at least the ones I have seen in Toronto.

[hazelrunpack]

We haven't found anything effective against black flies...if the mosquitoes weren't so horrendous, the black flies would be driving us nuts. I think it's going to be a really bad year for both--so if you find something that works, please let us know!

[Dr Lee]

Many people use Avon Skin So Soft as an off label bug repellent. I have heard people using it on themselves, their children and pets. I have yet to hear of negative side effects with this. I have personally had good luck with this. I used to work in Yosemite and we sold this stuff as fast as the DEET repellants.

Do NOT use DEET containing products in dogs or cats and especially puppies or kittens. Also avoid Tea Tree Oil or Pennyroyal.

Advantix does have a repelling agent however it lasts only 2 weeks or less and it not the strongest against ticks.

There are commercial fly repellents that you can get for dogs. Also feed stores or horse tack stores have fly repellents. I would ask them on age requirements for dogs though as I do not know them.

Hope that helps. Unfortunately there is not a super answer for this problem. Probably because the bugs have been developing their technology longer than we have. They have chemical sensors to pick up exhaled carbon dioxide which makes them not only go into a feeding frenzy but also alert other mosquitoes. Dark colors and motion also excites them. So I guess we can wear light colors, not move or breathe and go without any repellents? Wait there is a flaw here somewhere....

[Bluecatt]

Funny you should mention the Avon SSS - I actually sell Avon. My co-worker, I swear just 5 minutes ago, asked me to order her some for that reason! I'll have to get myself a bottle and try it on my puppy (and us as well!) Only thing is that's going to leave her hair really oily!! But oh well, if it works, it's well worth it. She'll just be having more baths!!

[sugarcatmom]

You could try one of the natural repellents that use catnip or geranium oil. They're supposedly safe for kids and dogs. I've personally found the geranium-based products to work the best, but mind you that's just in my backyard, not out in the deep woods.

http://www.quantumhealth.com/product...chandbite.html
http://www.rei.com/product/751279

[hazelrunpack]

Originally Posted by Bluecatt

Funny you should mention the Avon SSS - I actually sell Avon. My co-worker, I swear just 5 minutes ago, asked me to order her some for that reason! I'll have to get myself a bottle and try it on my puppy (and us as well!) Only thing is that's going to leave her hair really oily!! But oh well, if it works, it's well worth it. She'll just be having more baths!!

Avon SSS is pretty good for mosquitoes--and you can rub it between your palms, then lightly go over your dog with it, so they don't get too oily . But it doesn't seem to offer us much protection against the blackflies. Vanilla extract (the real stuff, not the artificial) seems to work better, but even that only works for 10 minutes or so till the oils and alcohol in it have evaporated, and you'd need an awful lot of it to protect an entire dog.