Can i spray citronella on my dog

Lemongrass is also bad for dogs, but not as toxic as citronella. There are different ways dogs can get sick from citronella. First, they can ingest it. Certain dogs tend to eat anything that smells interesting or new. And when you find that your citronella candle has been devoured, it should be a cause for alarm.

More alarming is the symptoms that occur with large amounts of citronella ingestion, such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, hypothermia or death. Additionally, citronella can irritate the skin. So if your dog brushes up against or is exposed to a citronella plant, they could get a rash or skin infection. There are alternatives to using citronella as a mosquito repellant.

But in order to repel mosquitos, you need to know what attracts them. In general, mosquitos tend to be attracted to scented perfume and soaps.

While you might not be able to do much about the temperature of your body, you can avoid wearing anything scented or dark in color. The same applies for your dog. Sometimes mosquitos bite no matter how much you try to keep them from yourself and your dog.

This is especially true at dawn and dusk, and right after it rains. You may be tempted to use one of the most powerful types of citronella alternatives, which is DEET.

But products with DEET are no safer for your dog than products with citronella. Using DEET can cause neurological problems for your dog, including seizures or even death. Although there are dangers to using both natural and manufactured mosquito repellants, rest assured that not all of them are dangerous to dogs. You can even make your own. Many pet owners have found success with making their own mosquito repellant.

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and mosquitos hate it. Plus, the pots will ensure the mint stays contained without spreading to other areas of your yard. If you like to cook, having rosemary in your garden is a great idea. If you plant basil near any standing water like ponds, mosquitos will be deterred from laying their eggs there.

Thankfully, mosquitos hate it. Cooking with garlic during your backyard barbecue or planting garlic in your yard can naturally repel mosquitos to keep your dog safe. My neighbour complains about our 2 miniature schnauzers who are 6 months old and very active. The one schnauzer has just recovered from a spider bite causing anaphylactic shock and a 3 day hospital stint. His liver was compromised because of the bite but is recovering nicely. I refuse to use citronella spray on the advice of my neighbour for this reason.

Besides, the dogs were barking in our house in the early afternoon and apparently annoyed my next door neighbour. I would advise getting some behaviour help so that the dogs no longer feel they need to bark so much.

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Paws for Thought. Skip to content. Home About Me My main website. So Your Dog Ignores You? Posted on June 22, by Theo Stewart. Natural citronella oil may contain methyleugenol, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies. Citronella can cause lung cancer if ingested. Warnings include: Eye: may cause irritation. Skin: may cause irritation. Inhalation: may cause dizziness and loss of concentration Ethanol is alcohol. It makes you drunk. Keep them covered or cleaned as best you can.

But with these helpful tips, you and your pet can avoid these nuisance insects and stay healthy and itch-free all summer long! If you found this article helpful, sign up for AHS email , where we provide expert advice to keep pets and their people happy and healthy.

Pet-friendly mosquito repellents that humans can use too. Post-op care. Advocacy alerts Legislative priorities Position Statements. Breadcrumb Home Pet Dish. Be careful with essential oils Essential oils serve as natural remedies for all sorts of ailments, including bug repellents.

Citronella is toxic to pets Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. These common, mosquito-repelling plants are also safe for pets: Basil Catnip Lemon balm Rosemary Avoid toxic plants like geraniums, citronella, peppermint, lavender, some varieties of marigolds, and garlic — all of which can be harmful to animals if eaten.

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