How To Make Homemade Bug Repellent For Dogs
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO
This homemade bug repellent for dogs is a great natural alternative for our furry friends. Using essential oils that are safe for dogs, this bug repellent will keep those nasty bugs off of your dog!
Homemade Bug Repellent For Dogs
Equipment
- 1 2oz Amber Glass spray bottle
Instructions
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 10 drops citronella oil
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- 10 drops rosemary oil
- 15ml carrier oil (1tbsp)
- 15ml vinegar or witch hazel (1 tbsp)
- Combine these and place them in a two-ounce spray bottle. Top this mixture off with distilled water.
Notes
The summer months are hard on us and our pets with all the annoying pests that come about with the warmer months. From ticks to mosquitos, these bugs can be extremely irritating. Not to mention, other bugs, like fleas, can wreak havoc on the whole house if your dog carries them in.
On top of being annoying, these bugs can carry deadly diseases such as Lyme disease or West Nile virus. It is important to protect your family and your dogs from bug bites. Thankfully, there are effective ways to naturally repel bugs without using harsh chemicals!
Typical bug repellents for dogs:
Heartworm preventatives:
Recent studies are showing that pesky bugs are becoming resistant to heartworm medications due to overuse of them.
Commercial repellents:
Commercial repellents rely on synthetic neurotoxins to kill off pests and deter them. The problem with these is they are also a neurotoxin to us and our pets.
These commercial repellents also have harsh chemicals in them that are not safe for our pets or our young children.
The good news is we can use natural ingredients to make an effective repellent spray. With a few simple ingredients and some knowledge of how to use essential oils for dogs, you can create your own natural homemade bug spray recipe for your dogs!
Essential Oils and Dogs:
If you are a beginner with essential oils you may tend to think that they are all safe for everyone and everything. I was shocked when I first started using essential oils that there are oils you shouldn’t use on babies.
I was even more shocked when I learned that there are essential oils that are not safe for animals. It makes sense if you think about it, but when you are switching to more natural solutions than what you had before, the hype of having safer products in your home can cloud that judgment.
Which essential oils are harmful to dogs?
According to this article, the following list of essential oils are not safe for dogs
- Pennyroyal oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Cinnamon oil
- Pine oil
- Thyme oil
- Sweet birch oil
- Tea tree oil
- Anise oil
- Clove oil
- Ylang ylang oil
- Juniper oil
- Citrus oil
How essential oils affect pets differently:
Pets are more sensitive to scents than we are. So while we think something might not have a strong scent, our pets can smell it more than we can.
Essential oils are also concentrated which makes our pets more sensitive to them than a regular plant. Certain essential oils can damage our pet’s lungs, cause liver damage, or cause skin irritation if not used correctly.
Essential Oils that are Safe for Dogs:
The good news is there are essential oils that are just fine to be used around our pets!
These common oils are safe for dogs:
- Lavender oil
- Chamomile oil
- Myrrh oil
- Frankincense oil
- Ginger oil
- Rosemary oil
- Bergamot oil
If you have concerns or questions about using essential oils with your pets, you should consult your vet. There is a lot of conflicting research and opinions on the safety of using essential oils on dogs. You should also note that what is safe for dogs may NOT be safe for cats.
Essential Oils in this homemade insect repellent:
The essential oils in this homemade bug repellent for dogs are almost the same as our homemade bug repellent.
Other Ingredients in the homemade bug repellent for dogs:
Witch Hazel or Vinegar:
Witch hazel or vinegar has been shown to kill ticks and fleas on contact. They also act as a natural bug repellent.
Vinegar is my preference, but some people don’t like the smell of vinegar. If that is the case for you, use witch hazel
Grapeseed Oil or Olive Oil:
These two oils work great as a carrier oil for your essential oils. By using these your dog can get wet and the essential oils will still stay on your dog!
I like to use grapeseed oil because it is cheaper than olive oil and more shelf-stable. You can also use fractionated coconut oil.
Distilled Water:
Distilled Water is used to dilute your homemade bug spray
Shop This Post:
Materials Needed to make this homemade natural bug spray recipe:
Clean Spray bottle. I use an amber glass spray bottle to prevent light from getting in so the essential oils don’t turn rancid.
How to Make your homemade bug repellent for dogs:
The most important thing to know when making your homemade bug repellent for dogs is the ratio of drops of essential oils to your carrier oil. According to this article, the ratio is one drop of oil to 1 ml of carrier oil.
I would make a two-ounce or four-ounce spray bottle depending on the size of your dog and how many dogs you have.
How to Make Homemade bug repellent for dogs
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 10 drops citronella oil
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- 10 drops rosemary oil
- 15ml carrier oil (1tbsp)
- 15ml vinegar or witch hazel (1 tbsp)
Combine these and place them in a two-ounce spray bottle. Top this mixture off with distilled water.
a two-ounce spray bottle equals roughly 59ml. If you want to add a few more drops of essential oils, you can. But be sure not to add too many. You can also make a larger batch of this natural repellent if you would like. You would use the same ratios as above but multiply them by the amount you want to make.
Where to spray Your Homemade Bug Repellent on your dog
You don’t necessarily have to spray your entire dog to repel bugs. You can spray this on your dog’s collar to make a bug-repellent collar for your dog. However, be sure to remove it when they come in the house or after a few hours to give your dog a break from the essential oils.
You do not need to spray a lot of this on your dog. If you have a small dog, one or two sprays may be fine. If you have a larger dog, you may need a couple more. I would avoid spraying it near their face.
Other natural mosquito repellents:
- citronella candles
- diatomaceous earth
- Neem oil
- Having plants around your home that are natural bug repellents like peppermint and geranium plants.
Protect your dogs from bugs using this homemade bug repellent for dogs! You will be able to have the benefits of commercial repellents without all the extra chemicals and ingredients. Making your natural products is easy and cost-effective. They are also much better for us and our environment.
If you you tried this I’d love to hear below! Leave a comment or review, I’d appreciate it!
