Lemon – A Safe, Natural Mosquito Repellent for Dogs

Lemons - A Safe and Natural Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats
★ 3.5 min read
In This Article:
  1. A Natural Approach to Repelling Mosquitoes
  2. How to Use Lemon as a Natural Insect Repellent 
    1. Fresh Lemon Spot-on Treatment
    2. Fresh Lemon Spray
    3. Collar Drops
  3. How to Include Lemon in Your Dog's Diet 
  4. Additional Foods To Help Repel Insects         
 
1.0 A Natural Approach to Repelling Mosquitoes
 
Conventional mosquito, insect and parasite preventatives are made with toxic synthetic chemical pesticides that are very harmful to your dog’s health. As well, conventional parasite preventatives (heart worm products such as Bravecto, HeartGard, etc.) don't provide 100% protection. Your dog can still get heartworm while taking conventional preventatives, learn more about that here.

A natural protocol can be used to provide protective support and should include ingested and topical items that work together to:
  1. Repel insects.
  2. Fight pathogens and disease caused by insects (e.g. heartworm, Lyme disease, etc.).
  3. Support the immune system.
A natural protocol should include:
  1. A species appropriate diet which supports the body's natural ability to deal with insects and parasites. 
  2. Additional insect repelling and immune system supporting foods and herbs.
  3. Natural topical repellent aids. 
Lemon can be added to the diet and used as a topical insect repelling aid. 
 
This article includes recipes for using lemon, other foods and herbs to help repel insects.
 

2.0 How To Use Lemon as a Natural Insect Repellent   

Mosquitoes don't like the scent of citrus.
Lemon can be used to help repel insects and parasites.

Lemon Insect Repellent Recipes

2.1 Fresh Lemon Spot on Treatment
  1. Cut a fresh lemon, (lime, orange, or grapefruit) in half and rub the cut fruit onto your dog’s fur.
  2. Avoid the area immediately around your dog’s eyes.
  3. Do not apply to open wounds or cuts, citrus stings.
  4. Pay special attention to insect vulnerable areas of the body, ears, nose, under the tail and tummy.
Lemon is non-toxic to dogs, (unlike conventional preventatives).

2.2 Fresh Lemon Spray Recipe

You'll Need
  • 6 lemons, or you can use a mix of citrus.
  • 1 quart of water (.95 liter).
  • 1 pot.
  • 1 spray bottle.
Preparation
  1. Cut the lemons and/or other citrus fruit in half
  2. Place the cut fruit and 1 quart of water in a pot
  3. Bring to a boil and then allow too steep for two hours
  4. Allow the resulting liquid to cool
  5. Once cool, strain the liquid to remove any pulp
  6. Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle
To Use
  1. Spritz your dog’s fur. Remember to protect your dog’s eye from the spray.
  2. To apply the spray to your dog’s face:
    1. Spray the palm of your hand with the solution.
    2. Rub your hands gently over your dog’s nose, around their eyes, behind the ears, around the base of the tail, under your dog’s legs, etc.
  3. If your dog is outside for extended periods, repeat the spray application every 2 to 3 hours.
  4. Store the spray in the refrigerator.

2.3 Mosquito Repelling Collar Drops

Place a few drops of lemon-oil or 1 drop of essential lemon-oil on your dog’s collar to further discourage misquotes.

Lemon Oil Recipe
You'll Need
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 cup olive oil
Preparation
  1. Peel the rind from the lemons.
  2. Place oil and lemon rinds in a sauce pan.
  3. Place on very low heat for 20 minutes.
  4. Allow to cool.
  5. Strain and pour the liquid into a bottle.
  6. Store in a dark cool cupboard.

3.0 How to Include Lemon in Your Dog's Diet
 
There are several simple ways to add lemon to your dog's diet. For options and serving recommendations:
 
4.0 More Foods to Help Repel Mosquitoes

These simple, natural whole foods can be added to your dog’s diet to help repel insects and parasites.

Foods for Mosquito Repellent


Allow your dog to self-select the items that best suit her. Make sure you respect your dog's indication.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – organic, unpasteurized
Small size dogs - 1 tbs
Medium size dogs – 1.5 to 2 tbs tbs
Large dogs – 2 to 3 tbs
 
Coconut Oil 
Coconut oil health benefits and serving recommendations:
Garlic  
Fresh minced garlic has multiple health benefits, Its also a natural insect repellent aid.
More about fresh garlic, uses, health benefits, serving recommendations, etc.
Goat Milk, Kefir or Yogurt 
 
Raw goat milk, kefir and yogurt are rich in probiotics that help support the body's natural defences against insects, parasites and infection.

More about health benefits, serving recommendations, etc.
Turmeric 
 
Turmeric is a natural anti-parasitic aid. Turmeric supports the immune system and has many other health benefits. Turmeric is great for some dogs, but doesn't suit all. 
 
Find out if turmeric is a good match for your dog:
  1. About turmeric here. 
  2. Golden paste recipe here.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition and wellness services, visit my holistic wellness services page.

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.
 
Holistic Behavioral Services for Your Dog

For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page. 
 
Affiliations to Companies  
✓ None. 
✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 
 
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.