A can of repellent.
Pets and certain insects have well-known associations. Fleas infest cats, dogs, and sometimes even mice, and mosquito bites can transmit things like heartworm to dogs. Pets shouldn’t be infested with fleas or susceptible to ticks and mosquitoes, but repellant may not be the best way to help keep your pet bug-free.
The question of whether insect repellant is safe for pets deserves attention. First, is bug spray intended for animals? Is it insect repellant for humans? Alternatively, is the spray a pesticide you are spraying on your house or plants to kill bugs? There are so many different types of bug sprays on the market that you can’t answer yes or no to that question.
Bug sprays and air fresheners are often dangerous to pet birds.
Some pet insecticides are perfectly safe, although you should consult a veterinarian when planning to use any product on your pets. Some have naturally-derived ingredients, but that doesn’t necessarily make them safe. Products containing tea tree oil and pennyroyal may be sold as a natural pet repellant, but they have not been shown to be particularly effective and pose potential health risks for dogs and cats.
Sprays to get rid of cockroaches are often poisonous to pets.
Most pet bug sprays that are not manufactured as “natural” have separate warnings about using with care. It’s a good idea to consider whether an aerosol, which you and your pet can inhale, is really a good option if the aerosol poses a danger to people and pets. Insect repellants for humans, like products that contain DEET, should never be used on your pets.
Fleas can sometimes torment pet rats, so it’s important to prevent the animal from becoming infested.
DEET is especially dangerous to animals and can cause them to develop neurological diseases. If you want to use DEET on yourself, use it when you’re away from your pets and consider using a lotion instead of bug sprays that don’t act like inhalants. Any other contact between lotion or repellant containing DEET and your pet should be avoided.
People with pets should consult a veterinarian to see if the repellent is safe to use around animals.
Bug sprays used in the home to kill bugs are often toxic. If you are using sprays to get rid of cockroaches, ants, or the like, you should remove your pet from the house while using them. It is safer to use animal trapping devices or products such as ant mounds, as long as your animal cannot reach them. There is considerable concern about the use of most chemical pesticides, especially in aerosol form, in homes. They can be dangerous to pets and other people.
Products that contain tea tree oil are generally not safe for dogs.
Various other spray chemicals can endanger your pets. Parrots and other birds are notoriously susceptible to many air cleaners and purifiers. You should observe how your pet behaves in your home when you plan to use any cleaning products or repellants. If your dog or cat routinely licks itself, on carpets, on the floor, or anywhere it may have spread known toxins, it could put your pet in danger.
The best advice is to ask your veterinarian which insect repellants are most recommended for your pets. Many of the “one-off” treatments are much safer for animals than insect repellant. Unless directed by a veterinarian, certainly don’t use humane repellant on your dogs or cats. Even those marketed as “natural” can cause skin irritation in pets, but not in humans.