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5 Natural Insect Repellants for Pets

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Warmer weather is perfect for outdoor activities with your pet, like hiking, camping, and swimming. But do you know that the warmer months also increase your dog’s risk of heartworm?

Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites. After an infected mosquito bites a dog, the larvae develop into adult heartworms in about seven months. Some of the most common symptoms of heartworm disease are reluctance to exercise, weight loss, decreased appetite, and a persistent cough. It’s a serious disease that causes heart failure, severe lung disease, and death.

Fortunately, there are many natural insect repellants you can give to your dogs. These insect repellants are guaranteed to be safe and effective!

Consider these tips before you head out with your pet on your first or next hiking adventure: 

Homemade Bug Spray

 

Do you have a knack for making your own products at home? If so, try this natural insect repellant ASAP. You’ll only need to prepare a few things:

  • 1 glass spray bottle
  • 15 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil
  • 2 oz witch hazel or other carrier oil like almond oil

 

The Benefits of Almond Oil for Skin and Hair of Your Pet

 

Once you have everything prepared, mix the ingredients in your glass spray bottle. Shake well and spray your dog all over. Make sure to avoid getting the spray into your dog’s eyes.

 

Essential Oils

Essential oils aren’t a must-have for your aromatherapy session at home — some also have insect-repellant properties. For instance, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, and pine keep insects away, as well as ants and spiders.

But remember that essential oils are powerful to dogs. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (like grapeseed, olive, or sunflower) before using them on your dog.

Mix one drop of essential oil with 1 ml carrier oil, and then spray the mixture on your dog’s body. You can use more than one type of oil but remember to increase the amount of carrier for every drop of essential oil you use.

Lemon Balm For Dogs And Cats

Neem Oil

Neem oil is an all-natural and effective insect repellant. It’s extracted from the tropical neem tree and is known for its insecticidal compound. Research shows that neem affects more than 200 species of insects, including ticks, sand fleas, biting flies, internal parasites, and mosquitoes. 

Neem oil for dogs can help reduce itchiness with allergies, treat skin infections, fight fungal infections, and has even been shown to treat mange and ringworm.

Put a drop of neem oil on different areas in your dog every day during the mosquito season. Start by putting neem oil on top of your dog’s head, behind their ears, on their shoulder blades, along their back and flanks, and at the base of their tails.

 

Neem contains omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids along with vitamin E; this makes it a great ingredient to improve the health of your pet's skin and coat.
Neem contains omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids along with vitamin E; this makes it a great ingredient to improve the health of your pet’s skin and coat.

Cedar Oil

What are the benefits of Cedar Wood Oil for Dogs
Is Cedarwood Oil Safe For Dogs: The oil has antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, insecticidal, and diuretic properties.

Another dog-safe insect repellant is cedar oil. It repels mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. In fact, it’s said that ancient Egyptians used cedar oil for embalming to keep the bugs away.

Most people and dogs don’t seem to mind the smell of cedar oil, but insects don’t like it. If insects come into contact with cedar oil, they can die, as well as their eggs and larvae. This happens because cedar oil pulls the water out of their bodies, interferes with their respiratory system, and inhibits their pheromone receptors.

Pet-friendly cedar oil is commercially available. Look for products formulated with 10% to 20% cedar oil and spray all over your dog’s body before they go outside.

 

Citrus Juice

Mosquitoes hate citrus. Use that to your dog’s advantage by using citrus juice to repel mosquitos. To do this, cut some tart fruits and rub them on your pet’s coat. Make sure to avoid any open cuts and their eyes.

You can also make lemon spray juice simply by combining freshly squeezed juice from six lemons and a quart of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, let it steep for an hour, pour it on a spray bottle, and spray it all over your dog’s body.

Keep Your Pets Mosquito-Free

Pet owners exhaust time and effort to keep their pets happy and healthy, so knowing that they have heartworm disease is heartbreaking. Being in that situation can take a toll on your own and your dog’s mental and physical health. We want our fur babies to live as long as possible, right? Ensure that your pet stays in tip-top condition all summer long by protecting them from mosquitos. With the natural insect repellants we’ve presented here, you’ll surely find one that’s easy to use and suits your lifestyle!

 

Image sources:

  1. Healthline – Almond oil
  2. The Gardener – Lemon balm
  3. What are the benefits of Cedar Wood

7 Things To Include in Your Pet’s First Aid Kit

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Pet emergencies can occur anytime, anywhere — whether your pet is at home, with you running errands at the mall, or when you’re out hiking. When they strike, it’s essential to be prepared with your pet’s first aid kit. Most pet emergencies require immediate attention, and failing to do so can have life-threatening effects on your fur baby.

This article will help you assemble everything you’ll need in your pet’s first aid kit. This first aid kit will come in handy when canine health issues or medical emergencies arise.

 

 

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Hiking With Your Pet This Summer? Follow These 5 Tips Before Hitting the Trail

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Aside from being a great mental and physical exercise for you and your pet, hiking together is one of the best ways to bond and enjoy nature together. But because pets aren’t built the same way as humans, taking them to hike will require preparation. For one, you need to keep them safe throughout the hike and protect them against heat stroke and exhaustion. 

 

 

[Read more…] about Hiking With Your Pet This Summer? Follow These 5 Tips Before Hitting the Trail

3 Unquestionable Reasons Why You Should Use Backpacks For Small Dogs When Traveling

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Traveling is a common bonding activity shared between pet owners and their pets. Regardless of the destination, traveling with your fur baby is always fun. 

But as much as you want to spoil them and take them anywhere with you, admit it — there are instances when traveling with your dog causes inconvenience. For instance, carrying them all the time with both of your hands prevents you from holding other things. This can also get tiring. 

Fortunately, there are now backpacks designed to transport small dogs while keeping them safe and comfortable. Using one when traveling is definitely a must because of these reasons:

[Read more…] about 3 Unquestionable Reasons Why You Should Use Backpacks For Small Dogs When Traveling

Hard vs. Soft Pet Carrier: Which One is Better?

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You need to consider several things when choosing a pet carrier. Besides its features, style, size, and price, you also have to choose between a hard carrier and a soft carrier. Both types of carriers serve their purpose — to keep your pet safe during travels — but one may be a better option depending on your lifestyle and your pet’s behavior. 

Pet travel carriers are essential even if you don’t travel with your pet very often. Chances are, you’ll have to take your pet to the vet, and you’ll need something to keep them confined. Can you imagine how dangerous it can be for you and your pet if you let them wander in a moving car?

Hard vs. Soft Pet Carrier: The Main Differences

Citing the main differences between hard and soft pet carriers will help you choose one. This information is crucial, especially if you have never bought any travel pet carriers in the past. 

Hard Pet Carriers

Also known as kennels, hard carriers are often built with plastic and are recommended for car travel rather than air travel. Below are some pros and cons of hard carriers:

Pros:

  • Hard pet carriers or pet kennels are easier to clean than soft-sided pet carriers. If your pet often makes a mess, simply wipe the insides of the carrier with a wet cloth. Additionally, your pet won’t likely do much damage to the interiors of a hand carrier with their claws or paws. 
  • Hard carriers are studier than soft carriers. Hard pet carriers are heavy-duty and don’t tip over or get damaged easily as small soft pet carriers might. 
  • Hand pet carriers are usually more secure because they come with a plastic or metal door, which is nearly impossible for your pet to open and sneak out of. If your pet loves to wander and run away whenever you’re out, a hand carrier might be a better option. 

Cons:

  • Hard-sided pet carriers are bulky and not easy to carry around. This can cause inconvenience and stress, especially if you love to travel with your pet or plan to take them on a plane. In cases like these, an airline-approved soft-sided pet carrier is ideal. 
  • Because they’re bulky, hard-sided pet carriers are also harder to stow or store. This means you must allocate a lot of space when storing the carrier when not in use or when bringing it during trips. 
  • Hard-sided pet carriers can be uncomfortable for pets as they don’t come with any kind of padding. As mentioned, hard carriers are made from plastic — a material that’s too hard to sit and lie on and easily gets cold. 

Soft Pet Carriers

As the name suggests, soft-sided pet carriers are constructed with softer materials, like fabric, mesh, and nylon. Below are a few pros and cons of soft-sided pet carriers:


Pros:

  • Soft dog carriers are lightweight. This is especially helpful if you’re fond of carrying your pet a lot. 
  • Soft carriers are more comfortable for your pets. Most soft-sided cat carriers today are designed with plenty of padding, allowing your feline friends to enjoy a comfortable and cozy space to sit and lie down for hours. Plus, many soft cat carriers are designed with breathable materials, like mesh, which lets fresh air in and improves your pet’s ventilation while being inside the carrier. 
  • Because soft carriers are made with flexible materials, they’re easier to store and transport than hard carriers. If you plan on bringing your dog onto a plane with you, a soft-sided dog carrier is the best choice. 

Cons:

  • Soft-sided pet carriers are made with soft materials, which your pet can easily damage with their teeth, claws, or beak. This can shorten the lifespan of the carrier and will cause you to buy another. 
  • Softer materials usually mean lesser protection. If anything bumps or falls on the carrier, your pet will be at a higher risk of being injured. 
  • Soft-sided pet carriers are more challenging to clean. Unlike hard carriers, where you just need to wipe soiled areas with a cloth, you’ll need a washing machine to thoroughly clean soft carriers. Additionally, bad smells may stick longer in a soft carrier since they can soak deep into the fabric. 

 

Which Pet Carrier is Right For You?

There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The right carrier for you isn’t always the right carrier for others and vice versa. The key here is to assess your own and your pet’s needs to determine which type of carrier will work best for your situation. 

  • How often do you travel with your pet?
  • Are you planning to take them on all of your trips? Or are you going to buy a carrier solely for vet visits once or twice every year?
  • Do you have plans to fly with your pet?
  • Is there any chance that you’ll fly with your pet soon?
  • What’s your pet’s personality like?
  • Does your pet easily get anxious?
  • Do they try to escape when in an enclosed space?

If you’re still unsure about which type of carrier to choose, consider our recommendations below. 

Hard-sided carriers or pet kennel carrier are best for:

  • Pets who love to wander and escape when placed in an enclosed space
  • Pets who are destructive and messy
  • Pets who are anxious about leaving the house, being outdoors, or traveling for hours
  • Owners who want something sturdier and safer for their pets
  • Owners who have plenty of storage space

Soft pet carriers are best for:

  • Pets who are more behaved and don’t have accidents
  • Pets who are used to or calmer when traveling
  • Owners who want to fly with their pets
  • Owners who want something more comfortable for their pets
  • Owners who have limited storage space

Hopefully, this has been an easy-to-follow guide when it comes to choosing the perfect pet carrier. If you’re eyeing to buy a soft-sided pet carrier, Ibiyaya has got you covered. Check out our catalog and choose from our wide range of hard and soft pet carriers! 

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