Mosquitoe problem

What is one supposed to do to try and keep mosquitoes from biting/annoying your dog? Do they make a pet safe bug repellent? In a pinch, I've sprayed some OFF on my hands and rubbed a little into just the back of his head area...but where they seem to bite him are his big German shep ears and his legs/feet. The rest of him's pretty hairy so I don't think they can penetrate. We have tons of mosquitoes in the backyard~ I try to avoid dusk but they're out there biting in the shade most of the day... I've used a Fogger spray but again worry cuz he sometimes eats grass (but it also gets expensive to spray the yard every time he goes out!)
Poor dog already has bad skin rashes and this just adds to his itchiness... Any ideas???
I don't believe in Skin So Soft as many of my friends do as a bug repellent- but maybe that's safe if he were to lick it off???
thanks,
deb

 

They do make pet safe mosquito repellent.

I 've seen it at the petstore.

I do use off skintastic on my dog, but thats only when we're on our walks. And I only put it on areas he can't lick, tips of his ears and on his cheeks or jowls, i do put it on his legs because I am with him and can make sure he won't lick those areas...I don't like to put it right on his muzzle as he can lick it off easily from there and probably too much would effect his stomach. Then when I come home i just wipe down his legs with a warm facecloth and then I don't have to worry about him licking it off.
Sounds like you have a large population of mosquitos though, especially if he's getting bit during the day...so you may want to invest in the pet safe spray if he's outside for long periods of time.

 

Aslo you may want to check with the vet in case your dog has any allergies. A lot of repellants that are good for us humans may not be good for dogs.

 

Deb, with such a high population of mosquitos, I'm hoping you have him on a heartworm preventative. That could be a real threat to his health.

Newt

 

Hi,
I think I will check with my Vet or go to Petco or something and look for pet specific repellants- though wiping his legs down when he comes in is a good idea too...
He's not out for long periods of time (basically due to this problem)
I actually do not have him on heartworm this year as I'd sadly planned to put him down (he's the German Shep who has the really LONG THREAD on this site) so I actually didn't expect him to be around this Season... What you can do is have their blood tested (and really SHOULD anyways) in the Springtime prior to starting any prophyllactic medications anyways~ so IF he is still with us next year- that's what I'd do...
I'm also out of work and just can't afford anything extra right now beyond his essentials (Vaccines, skin meds & Frontline)
So- thanks for the advice- I'll use what I have for now and wipe him down.
The Town supposedly sprayed but I see little improvement!!!
I AM getting chewed on as well- it's awful!!! And who wants to smell like OFF all night?
deb

 

Poor Deb...I know how you feel! I've found OFF in unscented and other ok smelling scents...not the best but at least it works. Is it working for you? I hope so!

 

Didn't know OFF came unscented - that's worth a try.
We've been just managing and I try not to leave him out long and go for walks instead...
I keep forgetting to go to the Pet store!
thanks!
deb