What’s the buzz on insect repellents for pets

It seems like this year’s soggy, weather will never end, nibbling away at our already limited Midwest summer fun. Eventually the weather gods will our answer our prayers for a reprieve, but then we’ll have to take the bad with the good. That means putting up with blood-sucking and biting pests: i.e., fleas and ticks, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and chiggers.

Safe flea and tick products abound, so I won’t even mention them.  But what are our four-legged friends to do when deerflies dive-bomb them, flies munch on them, or mosquitoes hover while awaiting an opportunity to have a meal? 

We humans turn to DEET to repel insects.  It’s highly effective, and it’s also safe if used properly, especially considering the alternatives. (Encephalitis or West Nile virus, anyone?)

My searches on our Veterinary Information Network regarding the use of that compound on pets divulged as many opinions on the subject as there are Republican presidential candidates. Some say it’s hazardous; others say that if used judiciously, it’s safe and effective; and there are many viewpoints in between.

Which expert is right?  I’ve always discouraged the use of DEET in pets, and when I searched ASPCA Poison Control (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) and the Pet Poison Helpline (http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com) I saw my advice validated:  Fuhgeddaboudit!  No DEET for dogs and cats.

I was hiking recently through thick woods on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, where hordes of mosquitoes were suspended in the air in cloudlike clusters along the paths. I noted that the nasty little vampires would fly toward me as I walked past, then swerve away. The herbal product I’d applied before the trek had proved its worthiness and earned its moniker honestly:  Swerve. 

That got me thinking about the use of herbal insecticides for dogs and cats: Are they effective and safe to use?

Herbal products are made with essential oils. Those are obtained by distilling natural plant oils, and they have the characteristic fragrance of the plants from which they were extracted. The potential danger of an essential oil relates to its level of purity. Poor-quality oils can cause skin irritation, can provoke an allergic reaction, and can even be toxic to the liver.

They appear to work fairly well, but how does a pet owner know which ones are safe to use? I don’t think there’s any way to tell for sure. If you want to take the plunge, visit Dr. Melissa Shelton’s web site and decide for yourself. I noticed that she has a “testimonials” link, but I see no evidence of species-specific clinical trials. She sells an insect repellent called Away that contains essential oils and is purported to be safe for dogs.

But why use a product of questionable provenance when there’s a safe alternative on the market?  That would be picaridin. It’s as effective as DEET, is not known to irritate skin and eyes in humans, does not have a pungent odor, and has a wide margin of safety in dogs.  Beagle studies using high dosages on the skin every 24 hours for one year demonstrated no toxicity. There have been no such studies on cats.

 

Picaridin can be found in several products for humans, including Off! FamilyCare Insect Repellent II (Clean Feel) and Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin.  These preparations might need to be applied every two to six hours, depending on the percentage of picaridin in the product. When applying insecticides to the dog’s face, spritz some on a cloth and wipe it on rather than use a direct spray. 

Can flea and tick products be effective against other types of pests?  Those with permethrin claim to repel flying insects.  In my experience, the permethrin products which are applied to the coat, such as Advantix, do repel insects.  The problem is that the repellent effect wears off in a few days, and the product can’t be reapplied for three to four weeks.  I haven’t been impressed.

It’s worth mentioning that some dogs are plagued by flies gnawing on the delicate edges of their ears. I can’t vouch for their efficacy, but products such as Roll-on Fly Repellent or Swat Fly Repellent Ointment should help. Even using plain Vaseline on the ear tips can be effective in preventing flies from biting.

Don’t forget the old rules, which still apply:  Peak biting times for mosquitoes are from dusk to dawn, so try to get your daily dog walks in at other times.  And get rid of as much standing water on your property as possible.

 

As William Shakespeare wrote, "Summer's lease hath all too short a date," so carpe diem!  Grab your bottle of Avon Skin-So-Soft and let your pooch have a grand time outdoors.