Mosquitoes are notorious for biting humans and leaving itchy welts all over our bodies, but if you’re a pet owner, you may find yourself asking, “Are they biting my dog too?” The short answer is yes — mosquitoes bite dogs. If your dog loves to run around and play outside in the hot summer months, there’s a good chance they’ve already had multiple mosquito bites. Dogs are just as susceptible to mosquito bites as humans, so it’s important to know the signs to prevent unnecessary itching and even bloodborne diseases.
In this article, I’ll explain why mosquitoes bite dogs, how to tell if your dog was bitten, what the bite marks look like and how to get rid of mosquitoes. Keep reading to learn more about how to help your furry friend during mosquito season. If you want to protect your pets from mosquitoes and other pests year-round, get a free quote from two of the best pest control companies in the industry below.
4.6
Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs?
Researchers at the University of California revealed that mosquitoes are drawn to dogs for the same reasons they’re drawn to people — to feed on blood.
Mosquitoes have receptors in their maxillary palp that can detect carbon dioxide from our breath as well as skin odors, worn clothing, smelly socks, and other sweat-stained garments. Mosquitoes are genetically programmed to be attracted to these odors and body heat. Dogs exhale carbon dioxide, have smelly skin odors, and body heat the same as we do, so mosquitoes are drawn to them the same as humans.
Female mosquitoes need lots of protein, which they get by drinking blood from mammals, to produce their eggs. That’s why they bite humans, pets, and all kinds of creatures. Blood-sucking insects seek out prey in order to feed and reproduce.
How Can You Tell if Your Dog Was Bitten by a Mosquito?
Your dog may display certain symptoms if they have mosquito bites. Be on the lookout for:
- Scratching when they don’t have any fleas
- Continuously rubbing their nose and ears against the ground or carpet
- Red welts on your dog’s skin
These are sure signs that your dog has bug bites and may need some itch relief. However, if they get sick from a mosquito-borne illness, they’ll display other symptoms and behaviors. Be on the lookout for:
- Constant coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Lack of energy
- Refusal to play or run
- No appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
If your dog has mosquito bites and displays any of these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian right away. By the time you’re able to spot these symptoms in your pet, the disease is already advanced and will require immediate treatment.
Are Mosquito Bites Dangerous to Dogs?
While regular mosquito bites aren’t very dangerous to canines, they can sometimes spread mosquito-borne diseases and bacteria. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, mosquitoes can spread heartworm disease in dogs. If a mosquito bites an infected dog (or another infected animal), the mosquito becomes infected with microfilariae. If that mosquito bites another dog, those larvae will grow into adult heartworms in six to seven months and move into your dog’s heart, giving the dog a full-blown heartworm infection.
However, infected mosquitoes can also spread other diseases, such as such as West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), to dogs. To protect your dog from mosquito-borne illnesses, it’s best to take preventative measures. Consider giving your dog heartworm prevention medication. The American Heartworm Society recommends getting a prescription for heartworm medication from your veterinarian.
It’s worth noting that, According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there have been zero cases of dogs contracting the Zika virus, which is a relief. While there are plenty of diseases that dogs can get from mosquitoes, it’s nice to know they can’t get all the diseases humans can get.
What Do Mosquito Bites Look Like on Dogs?
Mosquito bites on dogs look the same as mosquito bites on people: small red welts. However, if your dog has red welts around their ears, nose, mouth, or groin in the middle of winter when there are no mosquitoes around, it’s most likely because of bed bugs or other small insects. Mosquito season is generally from late spring to early fall in most states, so keep an extra-close eye on your pets during that time.
What Are the Best Mosquito Bite Treatments for Dogs?
Just like when mosquitoes bite humans, if your dog gets bitten, you’ll want to consider how to get rid of mosquito bites. There are a few ways to treat mosquito bites and repel mosquitoes for dogs, but they differ from the ways we treat humans.
It’s hard to know what mosquito repellant works best for humans, but it’s even harder for dogs since many human insect repellants are harmful to them. Whatever you do, don’t use human insect repellents on your pets. These repellants can be harmful to your dog’s health and give them an allergic reaction. Instead, use pet-safe anti-bacterial creams that are formulated just for dogs. Use small dabs of cream and gently rub them on your pet with your fingers. The cream should help soothe your pet’s itchy bites in no time.
Canine metabolisms are different than ours, and chemicals that are harmless to us can be toxic to them. Things like human insect repellants are particularly harmful to dogs.
Dog owners can also keep mosquitoes away naturally using essential oils on the bites. Essential oils won’t hurt your dog, and you can use tree tea, lavender, and lemon eucalyptus oils to treat mosquito bites on both you and your pets. These oils soothe the itching and help keep the mosquitoes away, too. Apply the essential oils the same way as you would apply the anti-bacterial creams.
Preventative Mosquito Treatments
Most likely, if your dog is getting bitten by mosquitoes, it’s happening in your own backyard or neighborhood. When it comes to mosquito control, it’s important to know how to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard.
There are several DIY ways to keep mosquitoes away. You can start by getting rid of every source of standing water on your property. Mosquitoes lay their eggs only in standing water, and their larvae feed on the algae and bacteria that live in stagnant water. That’s why you should clean out your gutters, drain your bird baths, and empty any excess moisture from flower pots. Likewise, get rid of outdoor water bowls for your pets and wipe away any puddles on your patio, sidewalks, and driveway.
Mosquitoes can easily lay their eggs in the standing water in your dog’s water dish, so don’t leave a water bowl outside. After mosquitoes lay their eggs, they’ll hatch and mature within a couple of days.
If you have pools of standing water you can’t get rid of, such as a koi pond, use some mosquito dunks in the water. They’re a doughnut-shaped pesticide that slowly dissolves in the water and kills mosquito larvae. They’re not harmful to pets, children, or fish, so you can safely use them in fish ponds. Each dunk will treat about 100 square feet of water.
Also, during mosquito season, keep your dog inside except when they need to go to the bathroom. Make sure all the screens, doors, and windows are tightly sealed so mosquitoes can’t get in. If you have a screened-in back porch, carefully check the perimeter of all the screens to ensure there aren’t any gaps and make sure there aren’t any rips in the screens themselves.
Another simple routine to help prevent mosquitoes from biting your dog is to only walk your pet in the early morning (before the mosquitoes become active) or in the late afternoon (when it’s too hot for them). Mosquitoes don’t like the cool morning hours, and they have trouble shedding heat during the hottest parts of the day, so they’re not as active during those times.
So, Do Mosquitoes Really Bite Dogs?
Yes, mosquitoes bite dogs just as much as they bite humans. However, since your dog can’t talk to you and they’re covered in fur, you may not realize if they have bite marks all over them. That’s why it’s important to know the warning signs and keep a close eye on your pup. Mosquitoes can be potentially dangerous to dogs because they spread diseases like heartworm disease, West Nile virus, and Eastern equine encephalitis, so you can never be too careful when it comes to preventing mosquitoes.
If your DIY pest control methods aren’t working and you think you might need professional pest control or exterminators to help with your mosquito problem, use the form below to connect with local pest control experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of year are mosquitoes most active?
Mosquitoes are most active during the warm months of the year. However, due to their brief life cycle, a warm spell in January can provide just enough time for them to hatch and become a nuisance in a few days. Unless there is frost or snow on the ground, mosquitoes are a possibility.
Are there any canine diseases besides heartworms that dogs can get from mosquitoes?
Yes, mosquitoes carry systemic lupus erythematosus and Eastern equine encephalitis. Fortunately, both diseases are extremely rare.
How can I stop my dogs from scratching their ears raw?
If your dog won’t stop scratching, you may need to put a cone collar on them. They won’t be able to reach their ears — although they will certainly try. Use a soothing cream or essential oil in combination with the collar to ease their pain.
Can my dog die from a mosquito bite?
It isn’t common, but if you don’t treat diseases like heartworm disease in the early stages, they could be lethal for your pet. Since mosquitoes can transmit this disease, technically, mosquito bites can be deadly. However, if you observe your pet closely, this is unlikely.
