How to keep flies off dogs is one of the most common questions all dog owners have during the summer. Let’s face it. These insects are annoying and they are a huge problem.
They can annoy you and they will annoy your dog. Although dogs have fur so they are partially protected from flies, there are still some places where flies can bite your dogs such as the stomach, face, and ears. Now you will learn how to combat this common threat.
How To Keep Flies OFF Dogs
A few things you must avoid at all cost
Before we give you a simple answer, let’s start with a few things all dog owners must avoid. Certain chemicals and even essential oils must not be used for this purpose.
They can be toxic for dogs and extremely dangerous if present in high dosages. Just because a solution or essential oil is safe for you, it doesn’t mean it is safe for your dog. This is the first thing to know is how to keep flies off dogs guide.
The best example here are artificial chemicals and tea tree essential oil. Dogs will lick their fur meaning that these chemicals will come into their bloodstream.
Tea tree essential oil can cause liver failure and allergic reactions! We must add that some other, essential oils are dangerous for dogs as well. These include pennyroyal oil, pine oil, and oil of wintergreen.
Safe topical treatments
Special, topical treatments are the best option you can use and the one that has been recommended by all vets. These are still synthetic chemicals but they are developed for dogs specifically. Keep in mind that these are not safe for cats.
The main advantage is the fact these will protect your dog from flies, fleas, ticks, and other threats. Most of these chemicals contain permethrins and it is given to dogs according to their weight. Large dogs need a higher dosage and there is no issue even if they lick the fur. However, cats cannot process this chemical.
The treatment is applied to the back of your dog on the head, neck, and spine. The ideal dosage will be given to you according to the size and weight of your dog so you may need more than just one dosage.
The only problem is if your dog likes to swim. Water can dissolve the solution and even completely remove it. You will need to apply it. Another thing to know is that one dosage can last for a couple of months.
As you know by now, this isn’t all-natural solution. However, it is specifically designed for dogs and it is extremely safe. There are no risk of any kind and you can use it as long as you like.
Here we can also add that dog owners can use permethrin spray to apply on the clothing of their dogs. This is an excellent repellent that will work great and keep your pet safe from flies. Some manufacturers have been developing clothing that is fused with this chemical so it will repel flies permanently.
Natural remedies
If you are one of the dog owners who use only natural ingredients and products to protect their dogs, you do have options. You will need to look for products that are specifically designed for this purpose and the ones that contain ingredients in dosages safe for dogs.
For example, you can see natural products with lemongrass oil. But, these contain only 4% of this essential oil which is 100% safe for dogs.
These also contain castor oil, sesame, and cinnamon ingredients that are all present in specific dosages, safe for all dogs. Some other products may contain eucalyptus and sunflower oils. Once again, all of these are safe, when applied in safe dosages.
You can use both these methods in a combination, but usually, there is no need for that. Each one will work perfectly and it will keep your pet safe. Flies are annoying, as we have mentioned countless times (because they are really annoying) and they can even cause issues such as skin irritation, infection, and more.
Keep your dog trimmed and clean
Flies will be attracted more to dogs that are dirty and have bad odors. If you don’t trim your pet and bathing isn’t an option, he will suffer from flies far more. As such, you need to bathe your pet at least 2-3 times per month during the summer months. Trim him as often as he needs.
When bathing your pet, make sure the areas around his anus and the rear, in general, are 100% clean. Bad odors usually come from these areas so they can attract flies like nothing else. You also need to focus the attention on the teeth, ears, and paws. Better said, your dog needs to smell great and be 100% clean.
Here we can see one other thing that can help you. You should train your dog to the toilet in just one area. Cleaning is much easier and you can maintain that area and also treat it with various solutions that will keep flies away.
The goal here is to boost the hygiene of your pet and make sure he is as clean as possible. For this, you will need to train your dog and for some breeds, this can last for a long period of time. Just stay calm and patient. The benefits of this step are impressive.
The final word
These are all the main things and the best ones you can do if you want to know how to keep flies off dogs in the most successful way. Use a combination of all that we have said above and you will see a huge level of success.
Always remember that your pet hates flies as much as you do and they definitely do not deserve to harass your dog. Your mission should be to help him as much as you can and make summertime more appealing and happier.
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