Mosquitoes bite not just humans, but also your pet dogs. This article discusses how to keep mosquitoes away from dog kennels and why it is important to do so.
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Your dog spends a lot of time in the kennel. He plays with his favorite toys, dozes off, and takes rest for many hours. But do you know mosquitoes can bite your dog even in kennels?
The kennel can be a good place for mosquitoes. You keep the water bowl near the kennel so that your dog will drink water whenever necessary. But these bowls can be a breeding place for female mosquitoes.
Moreover, the mosquitoes require blood for growing their egg. So, once the mosquitoes find the water bowl near your dog’s kennel, then they stay there to prey on your pet dog for blood.
Why Should I Care About Mosquitos Around My Dog?
Mosquitoes are dangerous for your dog. They can cause heartworm disease, which can be life-threatening for your pooch.
Fortunately, there are many mosquito repellents available in the market meant for dogs. You can use them to protect your furry friend from certain species of mosquitoes.
But never use any sprays made for humans because most of the sprays contain DEET, which can cause skin irritation on your dog.
The article discusses a few ways so that you can keep mosquitoes away from the dog kennel. So keep on reading the article for more information.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases In Dogs
#1. Heart Worm
It affects most of the dogs every year because of biting. There are nearly 30 species of mosquitoes that can transmit heartworm. The female mosquito bites a dog and ingests microfilariae from the bloodstream.
Heartworm develops in the mosquitos gut for 20 30 days and become infected larvae. When the mosquito bites a dog, the infected larvae transfer to his body. It takes six to seven months for infected larvae to mature and reproduce microfilariae.
#2. West Nile Virus
The West Nile virus usually stays in the salivary glands of a mosquito. Whenever the mosquito bites a dog, the virus transfers to his body. Consequently, your dog will decrease his appetite, fever, muscle weakness, and anxiety.
#3.Eastern Equine Encephalitis
The mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the EEE virus in dogs. However, the infection is very rare.
How Can I Keep Mosquitoes Away From The Kennel Of My Dog?
Many dog owners don’t know that the blood of their furry friend is a good meal for the mosquitoes. There are more than 3000 species of mosquitoes. But only mosquito species will attract your dog and can bite them.
These insects attract their prey by carbon dioxide emission, the smell of blood and body heat, and bite your furry friend. I am discussing a few ways by which you can keep mosquitoes away from the kennel of your dog.
#1. Cover Any Standing Water
Female mosquitoes usually lay nearly 300-400 eggs on standing water, and it takes only one or two days to become larvae. So, you can completely get rid of mosquitoes by covering any standing water nearby.
For instance, you need to cover the dog water bowls so that mosquitoes will not make their breeding place in them. Again changing the water regularly will prevent mosquitoes from biting your dog.
#2. Protect Your Furry Friend With An Insect Repellent Shirt
You can make your dog wear an insect repellent shirt to get rid of mosquitoes. These shirts look stylish and protect your pooch from harmful ultraviolet rays in the sun.
#3. Try A Mosquito Repellent
Many repellents are available on the market that protects your dog against mosquitoes. You can even ask your veterinary doctor about a good mosquito repellent because he knows your dog better.
You can buy them and apply them to your dog. But keep an eye for 15 -20 minutes once you spray the repellent on your furry friend as they tend to lick. You even don’t allow other pets to go near your pet dog.
#4. Use Essential Oils
Most of the essential oils serve as a natural remedy and can be used as a mosquito repellent. For instance, Geranium and soyabean oil can be applied directly to your pet dog and help get rid of mosquitoes.
The lemon eucalyptus spray is also gaining popularity among most dog owners as a good mosquito repellent. But before using any essential oil on your dog’s skin, confirm from a veterinary doctor.
#5. Apply Citrus Fruits
Mosquitoes don’t like citrus. So, you can apply some citrus fruits directly to your pet dog’s coat. You can add six freshly squeezed lemon juice with one quart of water and boil it.
Let it sit for a few minutes, and then strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Apply the spray on your dog to get rid of mosquitoes.
But don’t spray on your dog’s face as there are chances of spray getting inside the eye. Moreover, don’t spray on your dog’s cut or wounded area because it can irritate the wound, and your dog will start scratching.
#5. Use Citronella Products
You can use citronella products like candles and torches near the dog kennel to get rid of mosquitoes. But remember, these products will not work when it’s windy because the wind will blow away its scent.
#6. Use Mosquito Net
You can use a mosquito net on your dog’s kennel to get rid of mosquitoes.
#7. Give Tablets Against Heartworm Disease
Are you staying in a location where there are a lot of mosquitoes? If yes, then you can give heartworm tablets to your mosquitoes. You should consult your veterinary doctor and ask about the best suitable tablet for the breed of your dog.
If you provide the right tablet to your dog, then it can not only protect against heartworm but also from other worms. Some veterinary doctors give injections to the dog against heartworm disease within a gap of 6 months. If you like that, then give a shot to your dog.
#8. Use Herbal Repellant Collar
Mosquitoes are annoying and can cause dreadful diseases like heartworm n your pet dog. You can buy a herbal repellent collar for your dog to get rid of mosquitoes. But try to buy the ones which are non-toxic and DEET free.
#9. Give Garlic To Your Dog
You can feed your furry friend some garlic cloves to get rid of mosquitoes. Try to add these cloves to his favorite food. You can start giving him garlic one month before the breeding season of mosquitoes for best results.
#10. Add Mosquito Repellent Plants On Your Yard
You can add some mosquito repellent plants to your gardens like basil, lavender, rosemary, and peppermint in your yard. It will protect your dog from awful mosquitoes. These plants are even safe for your dog.
So whenever your pooch wants to play in your yard and investigate these plants, you don’t have to worry about it. But remember, every mosquito repellent plant is not safe for your dog. So do a bit of research before planting them in your garden.
#11. Use Insect Repellent Dog Blanket
If you have a puppy, he sleeps for more than 20 hours a day. You can use an insect repellent blanket to cover them while sleeping. It will help ward off mosquitoes, flies, and ticks to provide comfort to your dog. You can even take these blankets while traveling to some places or camping.
#12. Turn Off The Light
Light can attract mosquitoes. So, if you turn on all the lights near the kennel, there are chances of mosquitoes biting your dog. So better turn off the lights.
#13. Use Mosquito Repellent Shampoo
You can use a mosquito repellent shampoo on your dog to get rid of mosquitoes.
#14. Use a Fan
You can blow a fan pointed towards your dog’s kennel to get rid of mosquitoes.
#15.Spray Natural Pest Spray On Your Garden
The pesticide spray contains harmful chemicals which can be toxic for your furry friend. So you can use natural pest spray, which is harmless for animals and humans. You can spray on gardens, lawns, and patios to get rid of mosquitoes.
#16. Check Your Doors And Windows
If you are keeping your doors and windows open in the evening hours, then there are chances that mosquitoes can get inside the house and bite your dog. So keep them close, especially in the evening.
#17. Use Mosquito Trap
Mosquito traps are also another best option. The machine can capture the mosquitoes by vacuum and prevent your dog from biting.
#18. Use Methoprene
If there are water puddles in your yard and you cannot drain the water, it’s best to use Methoprene. You can spray Methoprene in the water collecting areas so that it will inhibit the growth of mosquitoes.
#19. Add Fish To Your Ponds
If you have a small pond in your garden, you can add some fish like goldfish to inhibit the growth of annoying mosquitoes.
A Few Final Words
Mosquitoes can be dangerous for your furry friend. So you can follow some of the above options to prevent the mosquito from biting your dog.
I hope this article is informative and if you have queries, please write it to us in the comment section. We will be happy to answer all your queries.
Thank you fo reading, we hope we answered your questions about mosquitos, and how they can harm your dog. You might also be interested in other things harmful to dogs such as ticks and fleas.