Do Dogs Get Mosquito Bites + 5 Prevention Tips

Mosquitoes are tiny insects that feed on the blood of animals. They can be a nuisance to people and pets, especially in the summertime. But do dogs get mosquito bites?

The answer is yes, dogs can get bitten by mosquitoes. In fact, they are just as likely to get bitten as people are. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease to dogs, so it is important to protect them from these pests.

There are a few things you can do to help keep your dog safe from mosquitoes, including using mosquito repellent and keeping them inside during peak mosquito hours.

Continue reading to find out more about dogs and mosquito bites and how to prevent your canine friend from them.

Do Dogs Get Mosquito Bites?

Anyone who has ever suffered from the annoyance of a mosquito buzzing around and nipping at their arms would not wish the same fate on their dog – and that might lead you to wonder:

do dogs get mosquito bites? Yes, sadly for our canine friends, they can be bitten by mosquitoes just like us. Considering they are always outdoors, mosquito bites cases in dogs are very common, especially during mosquito season.

Dogs are just like us when it comes to mosquito bites – they itch and swell just as bad. In fact, mosquitoes are known carriers of heartworm, which can be deadly to dogs. So it’s important to protect your furry friend from these bloodsucking pests.

Mosquito Bites on Dogs

Most mosquito bites are harmless, but they can be annoying and itchy. In some cases, mosquito bites can also transmit disease.

Dogs are just as susceptible to mosquito bites as humans. And, like us, they can also experience discomfort and itchiness from these bites.

There are a few things you can do to help your dog if they get bitten by a mosquito. First, try to keep them calm and avoid them scratching the bite. This will help to prevent further irritation and possible infection.

Second, keep your dog’s fur short. This will help reduce the number of places for mosquitoes to hide and bite.

Third, use mosquito repellent on your dog. There are many products available specifically for dogs. You could also apply a little soothing lotion to the bite and keep an eye on it. In most cases, mosquito bites on dogs are nothing more than a nuisance.

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What Are The Signs That My Dog Has Been Bitten?

As a dog owner, you should be keeping an eye on any marks which appear on your dog, and mosquitoes can cause a similar reaction on a dog’s skin as on a human’s skin.

If you see little red lumps on your dog’s skin and he seems keen to bite, lick, and scratch at them, the chances are that a flying bloodsucker has got to your four-legged friend.

Unfortunately, this is how dogs respond to a lot of parasites, so you may have to use other contextual clues and look for things like fleas and mites before you can be certain they’ve been bitten by a mosquito. Before dismissing this, look around and within the household and identify if other family members have been complaining of the same (mosquito bites).

If you are using mosquito repellents and always sleeping under a treated mosquito net; then the little bumps, scratches, and licking of the bumps from your dog are definitely from mosquito bites.

Are There Any Dangers From Mosquito Bites?

Besides the obvious irritation they cause, mosquito bites aren’t usually dangerous to your dog. However, there is a possibility of them transferring heartworm larvae into your dog’s system, so this is something to be aware of.

Below is a table with some of the key symptoms of heartworm in dogs:

Symptoms of Heartworm

symptoms	Effects
Coughing:	It may be only mild coughing but in case it worsens a trip to your vet would be very much needed for your best friend.
Fatigue:	If your dog seems tired than usual and sleeps so much or refuses to go for your daily walk/exercise; then that could be a symptom of heartworm.
Difficulty breathing	As the infection spreads through the bloodstream, your dog may start facing some breathing difficulties.
Weight loss:	Heartworm might lead to loss of appetite for your canine friend and that could lead to him/her shedding some weight.
Bulging chest:	Due to the weight loss, chest bulging will start appearing; at this stage, you need to seek assistance from your vet, as the disease is at a very late stage at this point.
Collapsing:	As the heartworm spreads in the heart and the bloodstream; it could block blood flow and eventually lead to collapsing.

A less common danger that bites can pose is the West Nile virus. It’s rarely very serious in dogs but can cause reactions in immune-compromised dogs or older dogs. It has flu-like symptoms and if you notice them, you should contact your veterinarian for advice.

You should also watch out for potential allergies. Keep an eye on mosquito bites and if you notice them getting inflamed or sore, contact your veterinarian. If your dog is showing serious reactions such as difficulty breathing or major swelling, get him straight to an emergency veterinarian.

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How to Prevent Mosquito Bites on Dogs?

If your dog is getting irritated by bites or you’re particularly concerned about any of the above happening, there are a number of actions that you can take.

First, let’s look at what you can start with to ensure you are reducing any risks of mosquito infestation around your homestead.

1. Clearing potential breeding areas: Start by clearing any potential mosquito breeding areas. These are not limited to; clearing bushes around your homestead and clearing of any stagnant water. These are more preventive measures that you can take that won’t just prevent your dog from mosquito bites, but prevent your entire family from the same predicament. Making one big happy family.
2. Planting mosquito repellant plants: You could also plant some mosquito repellant plants around your compound. There are a number of plants known to act as natural mosquito repellants. Some of these plants include; peppermint, rosemary, catnip, lemon balm, just to mention a few. It’s important that you do all the necessary research as some plants could be good mosquito repellants but could be harmful to your canine friend. If the above preventive measure doesn’t work for you for one reason or another; you could work with the below measures.
3. Using pet-safe insect repellents: For those living closer to large water bodies or in areas that always experience mosquito seasons; you can get some pet-safe insect repellents.
4. Consult your vet: Talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend, and never use insect repellents intended for humans on your dog. If he licks his fur, he may ingest chemicals that aren’t safe for pets, which could do him major harm. They also are potential skin irritants.
5. Take your dog for early walks: Taking your dog for walks earlier in the day, rather than at dusk or dawn; and keeping them indoors during those peak hours, could also help with keeping them away from mosquito bites.

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How to Treat Mosquito Bites on Dogs?

Mosquito bites will still happen even with the above precautionary measures. It’s therefore important to also get an understanding of how exactly you can treat these bites to prevent any further injuries to your dog.

You need to keep a close eye on your dog and keep an eye on some of the above-mentioned symptoms. If you notice any of the symptoms and they start worsening you need to get your dog checked by your vet. Treatment will involve the application of some ointment to their skin. You however need to get clarity from your vet on what exactly you can use on them.

Natural substances like water could also be applied or water mixed with baking soda; again, don’t try any of this before consulting with your local vet.

If your dog is causing additional harm by wanting to scratch on the little mosquito bite bumps, then you might also want to consider using an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from causing any additional harm to themselves.

FAQs:

Conclusion

Dogs certainly can be bitten by mosquitoes, just like humans, and will suffer similar irritation if they are. If your dog gets bitten, keep an eye on the response and seek advice if you’re concerned about any of your dog’s symptoms.

Try to avoid letting your dog get bitten, as the itching can make them miserable, just as it can for humans!

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