Not only are they extremely itchy and irritating, but mosquitoes are also known vectors of countless human diseases, including the West Nile virus, dengue fever, and various types of encephalitis.<\/p>\n
And for our dogs? Oh, hello heartworms.<\/p>\n
We have discussed heartworms in dogs<\/a> comprehensively before, and spoiler alert: It's one of the most serious and potentially deadly diseases a canine can contract from mosquitoes!<\/p>\n So I won't blame you if you reach for your OFF! spray without thinking twice, especially if there's a swarm of mosquitoes around.<\/p>\n But did you know that one of its main ingredients, DEET, can be toxic to your dog?<\/p>\n So, if you've ever wondered, “Is OFF! safe for dogs?” The short answer is no.<\/p>\n In this article, we'll explain why common insect repellents like OFF! can harm our pets and suggest safe alternatives for keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay.<\/p>\n Let's begin!<\/p>\n RELATED: How To Care for Your Dog During Spring<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n OFF! is a popular brand of mosquito repellent for humans worldwide.<\/p>\n They have different formulations, even for babies and toddlers<\/a>!<\/p>\n Depending on the variety, OFF! Mosquito repellent has different active ingredients, too. But for the most part, they contain:<\/p>\n We've already mentioned DEET as harmful for dogs (we'll discuss more of this later).<\/p>\n Still, other ingredients, such as fragrance, alcohols, propellants, and preservatives, can also irritate a dog's skin or be toxic if ingested.<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a06 Cleaning Products That May Be Poisoning Your Dog<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n DEET, the common name for N-diethyl-meta-toluamide<\/strong><\/a>, is the active ingredient in<\/span>\u00a0most insect repellent sprays, lotions, and other products.<\/p>\n DEET is designed to be applied directly to people's skin.<\/p>\n It doesn't kill insects. Instead, it repels them by interfering with their ability<\/a> to detect humans, particularly their antennae.<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they can also detect carbon dioxide<\/a> from breathing and air movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Clearly, DEET effectively repels mosquitoes for humans, but unfortunately, it's also dangerous for dogs.<\/p>\n It is toxic to dogs<\/strong>, even in small amounts. They can experience side effects just from contact with or inhaling the product.<\/p>\n DEET is not approved for animal use, and according to the ASPCA, it can cause\u00a0significant clinical signs<\/a> in companion animals, especially at higher concentrations.<\/p>\n Ingesting or absorbing DEET through the skin can lead to:<\/p>\n These risks are amplified for puppies, small breeds, and dogs with respiratory conditions<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n IMPORTANT NUMBERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n – Pet Poison Helpline<\/strong> (800-213-6680) 4. Monitor for symptoms<\/strong> such as vomiting, disorientation, or skin reactions. RELATED:\u00a09 Emergency Dog Health Conditions That Cannot Be Delayed<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The best solution is to use pet-safe insect repellents<\/a> (which we'll discuss later).<\/p>\n But if you already have the OFF! or any DEET-based product that you don't want to put to waste, just make sure to be careful when using it near or around your dog.<\/p>\n Take these extra precautions:<\/p>\n Taking the steps above can drastically reduce the chance of exposure while still allowing you to protect yourself from mosquitoes.<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a0How to Wash Dog Toys: Rope, Rubber, Plastic, and Plush<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"OFF!](\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/off_us-4_24-clean_feel-lifestylel-image_3.webp\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIs OFF! Safe for Dogs? <\/strong>And What Does It Contain?<\/em><\/h2>\n
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The Dangers of DEET to Dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/natural-mosquito-repellent-for-dogs-300x176.jpg\")
<\/a>Mosquitoes use their antenna to detect body heat and odor, sense sounds, and even detect humidity.<\/p>\n\n
What to Do If Your Dog Is Exposed to OFF!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Wash](\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Wash-and-Dry-Them-Off-When-You-Get-Home-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>If your dog accidentally got his paws on a lotion or someone in the house accidentally sprayed them with OFF!, the best thing to do is to act fast.<\/p>\n\n
\n– Animal Poison Control<\/strong> (888-426-4435)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n5. Don't panic,<\/strong> and follow the instructions that the experts will tell you.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/shutterstock_125572388.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h2>\nHow to Use OFF! Safely Around Your Dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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