10 Best Mosquito Repellents for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Spending the weekend camping is a great way to get outside and spend time away from technology. With a fishing pole and your trusted hound, you can forget about work problems for a bit and worry about less important things. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes buzzing around during your fishing session can be just as irritating as jumbled paperwork.

With so many supplies tucked into your camping bag, though, adding multiple bottles of mosquito repellent for you and your dog can be difficult. These reviews cover repellents that can be applied monthly, as well as spray options that can be used on humans too.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Mosquito Repellents for Dogs

1. Wondercide Topical & Indoor Spray — Best Overall

As our best overall mosquito repellent for dogs, the Wondercide Topical & Indoor Spray uses a holistic approach to killing and repelling mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Along with the cedarwood scent, it’s also available in lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary.

Due to the lack of harsh chemicals, Wondercide can be used when needed and around your house to prevent pest infestations on the carpet, couch cushions, and your pet’s bedding.

While some of the available fragrances are safe for cats, felines are more sensitive to essential oils. Dogs might not have a problem, but your cat is more likely to suffer from an allergic reaction to certain scents.

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2. Vet’s Best Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray — Best Value

When it comes to our pets, affordable supplies are always the way to go, which brings us to the best mosquito repellent for dogs for the money. The Vet’s Best Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray is a DEET-free formula that uses natural oils like lemongrass and geraniol to repel mosquitoes. Since it does not use chemical pesticides, Vet’s Best is suitable for regular applications every 2 hours.

Sold in 8-ounce bottles, this option is easy to slip into a rucksack for hiking trips and is also safe for humans over 2 years old.

Some dogs can be sensitive to certain scents and may find the lemongrass and geraniol mixture displeasing.

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3. K9 Advantix II Spot Treatment — Premium Choice

If you’re not afraid to spend more to protect your dog from pests, K9 Advantix II Spot Treatment is a veterinarian-recommended solution. Formulated to start working within 12 hours of application, K9 Advantix II repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Applied once a month, it helps interrupt the flea life cycle to prevent future infestations.

The waterproof formula also lets your dog get up to their usual watery mischief whenever they’re outside without the repellent washing off.

For owners on a budget, this option is one of the more pricey treatments available. It’s also unsuitable for use on or around cats due to the chemical pesticides.

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4. TevraPet Activate II Collar For Dogs

Dogs love the outdoors and collect pests like they’re going out of fashion. The TevraPet Activate II Collar enables you to target the major menaces to your dog’s comfort with one collar. Designed to kill fleas and ticks on contact, this collar also helps repel mosquitoes. This option starts working within 24 hours and lasts for 6 months, with the two-pack giving you a total of 12 months of protection. The collar is adjustable to suit adult dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old.

Some dogs can have an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in this collar and it can be ineffective against fleas unless paired with another prevention treatment.

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5. Farnam Repel-X Insecticide & Repellent

For doggy owners who spend time outside around horses, the Farnam Repel-X Insecticide & Repellent enables you to protect both animals at once. Its gentle formula is suitable for horses and dogs and can be applied directly or with a clean towel. The Farnam Repel-X is a water-based formula designed to repel six species of flies, including mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, and ticks, to make long days at the stable more pleasant.

Although it’s safe for horses and dogs, this insecticide should be kept out of the reach of children. Some users have also had issues with the bottles arriving broken or leaking during use.

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6. Nantucket Spider Natural Insect Repellent

It can be difficult to find repellents that check all your boxes, but the Nantucket Spider Natural Insect Repellent is bottled in recycled plastic and is cruelty-free, non-GMO, and vegan. The bottle also has a lockable trigger to prevent leaks when stored in a bag during trips outdoors.

Formulated with organic ingredients, Nantucket Spider repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without relying on chemical pesticides. It doesn’t use DEET to kill bugs either, so this option is safe for dogs of all ages.

Nantucket Spider has a strong smell that some dogs and owners with sensitive noses may find unpleasant. It can also leave your dog’s fur feeling sticky.

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7. Bug Soother Spray Natural Insect Repellent

Spending a day outside hiking or fishing is a fun way to relax with your dog, but bugs can make these fun outings irritating. The Bug Soother Spray Natural Insect Repellent is safe for humans of all ages as well as dogs, so you don’t have to carry around multiple bottles of different formulas. It uses lemongrass oil combined with vanilla for extra fragrance to provide natural protection from flying insects like mosquitoes and gnats, and can even ward off fleas.

Unlike other bug sprays that repel mosquitoes, Bug Soother is not formulated to kill or repel ticks and may be ineffective against these critters. The lemongrass oil is also the only active ingredient, and it might not be as effective in fending off mosquitoes as some other options.

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8. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Wipes For Dogs

For dogs that hate sprays, the Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Wipes enable you to protect them against pests without stressing them out. Along with the protection against fleas and ticks, these wipes also kill and repel mosquitoes. Designed with a plant-based formula without chemical pesticides, they can be used on furniture, pet bedding, and collars. The wipes enable you to spread the product evenly over your dog’s fur and pay close attention to sensitive areas like their ears.

Due to the moisture contained in these wipes, you need to make sure the lid is shut so they don’t dry out. Some of the essential oils are toxic to cats and can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.

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9. ShieldTec Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Prevention for Dogs

Some dogs can be wary about spray bottles, and ShieldTec Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Prevention takes away the stress by providing a topical spot treatment option. Applied once a month, ShieldTec is safe for use on puppies and is waterproof, so outdoor adventurers can still benefit from the protection even when soaked through. It’s formulated to repel and kill mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and lice on contact and is one of the more affordable topical prevention solutions.

ShieldTec uses chemical pesticides that although safe for dogs, can cause allergic reactions in some canines. Several users have mentioned that this product is greasy, doesn’t dry quickly, and smells like cooking oil.

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10. Medella Naturals Insect & Mosquito Repellent for Dogs

If you’re looking for a spray that doesn’t use chemicals and is safe for your kids and your favorite fur babies, the Medella Naturals Insect & Mosquito Repellent can be used on humans and pets. The formula doesn’t use DEET, so it’s completely safe for your pooch while still repelling mosquitoes and other flying insects. It’s waterproof and isn’t affected by sweat during overly warm or humid days.

Some users have found that the scent of this natural deterrent can be overpowering and unpleasant and attract bees. Medella Naturals can also have a sticky consistency when applied and can be uncomfortable. It’s also only available in small 4-ounce bottles.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Mosquito Repellent for Dogs

Mosquitoes bother our dogs just as much as they annoy us, and mosquito repellents are the easiest way to provide protection. Choosing the best option isn’t always as simple as you might think, however. This section will look at everything that you need to consider before purchasing a dog-friendly mosquito repellent.

If you’re ever unsure about what option to choose, double-check with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to suggest the best products for your dog.

To talk to a vet online now, click on the image or button below:

Formulated for Dogs

If you’re new to buying mosquito repellent for your dog, it can be easy to assume that the one that you use is safe enough. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Many mosquito repellents designed for humans can be toxic to pets, whether they’re natural or not. While some natural mosquito repellents for dogs are safe for humans to use too, the same can’t be said for formulas designed with humans in mind.

Make sure the mosquito repellent states that it’s for dogs on the label before you use it anywhere near them.

• See Also: 10 Best Flea Collars for Dogs: Reviews & Top Picks

Ingredients List

One of the most important things to remember when buying mosquito repellent for your dog are the ingredients used in the formula. Many of the ingredients that we’re familiar with in mosquito repellents designed for humans are toxic to canines. To keep them safe, paying attention to pet-friendly contents is essential.

Essential Oils

Essential oils have their pros and cons. While they can be beneficial in killing and repelling pests like mosquitoes, their use around animals isn’t always cut and dry. Depending on the oil, it may be safe or toxic to your pet, depending on how sensitive they are to the oil in question.

Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds tend to be more sensitive to contact with essential oils and diffusers, but canines can suffer from sensitivities to essential oils too. Before you choose a natural mosquito repellent, make sure the essential oils used in the ingredients are diluted and are safe for your pooch.

You should also consider whether your dog is sensitive to particular scents. Their noses are stronger than ours, and they might find that subtle smell that you enjoy to be overpowering and unpleasant.

No DEET

You’re probably familiar with DEET and its effectiveness. Unfortunately, DEET can cause various health issues in dogs, from eye problems and respiratory issues to stomach upset and seizures. It’s one of the main reasons that repellents formulated specifically for humans aren’t good for dogs.

Dog-friendly brands of mosquito repellent won’t use DEET, but to be safe, purchase an option with “DEET free” on the label.

See Also:

• 10 Best Tents for Camping With Dogs: Reviews & Top Picks
• 5 Best Fly Repellents for Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks

Final Thoughts

Safe for use around your home and on your dog, Wondercide Topical & Indoor Spray is our best overall mosquito repellent for dogs. It repels mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks with natural essential oils, and some of the available fragrances are safe for cats. If you need a budget option that’s safe for humans too, Vet’s Best Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray is a DEET-free alternative to many human-only repellents.

Keeping you and your dog safe from mosquitoes is essential for everyone’s comfort. For your next outing, we hope these reviews help you find the best repellent for you and your dog.

 

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Featured Image Credit: Aleksey Boyko, Shutterstock