Lemon – A Safe, Natural Mosquito Repellent for Dogs

In This Article:

 

1.0 How to Use Lemon as a Natural Insect Repellent 

-     1.1 Fresh Lemon Spot-on Treatment

-     1.2 Fresh Lemon Spray

-     1.3 Collar Drops

2.0 How to Include Lemon in Your Dog's Diet 

3.0 Additional Foods To Help Repel Insects and Support Your Dog's Immune System

 

Conventional mosquito, insect and parasite preventatives are made with toxic synthetic chemical pesticides that are very harmful to your dog’s well being.  The other issue with conventional parasite preventatives (i.e. heart worm products such as Bravecto, HeartGard, etc.) is that they do not 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 as well used as a topical insect repelling aid. This article includes recipes for using lemon and also includes other foods and herbs to consider adding to your dog's natural protocol.

 

1.0 How To Use Lemon as a Natural Topical Insect Repellent

Lemon when applied topically can be used to repel insects and parasites. Mosquitos do not like the scent of citrus.

 

Lemon Insect Repellent Recipes

 

 

1.1 Fresh Lemon Spot on Treatment

• Cut a fresh lemon, (lime, orange, or grapefruit) in half and rub the cut fruit onto your dog’s fur
• Avoid the area immediately around your dog’s eyes and do not apply to open wounds/cuts - citrus stings
• Make sure you pay special attention to vulnerable (to insect) areas like ears, nose, under the tail and tummy
• Lemon is non-toxic to dogs so, unlike most commercially manufactured mosquito repellents – your dog will not be harmed by licking and ingesting the lemon juice

1.2 Fresh Lemon Spray Recipe

What you will need…

• 6 lemons, or you can use a mix of citrus
• 1 quart of water (.95 liter)
• 1 pot
• 1 spray bottle

Preparation

• Cut the lemons and/or other citrus fruit in half
• Place the cut fruit and 1 quart of water in a pot
• Bring to a boil and then allow too steep for two hours
• Allow the resulting liquid to cool
• Once cool, strain the liquid to remove any pulp
• Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle
• Spritz your dog’s fur - remember to protect your dog’s eye from the spray
• To apply the spray to your dog’s face:
• Spray the palm of your hand with the solution
• 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
• If your dog is going to be outside for a good portion of the day - repeat the spray application every 2 to 3 hours
• Store the spray in the refrigerator

1.3 Mosquito Repelling Collar Drops

 

You can put 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

• Peel the rind from the lemons
• Place oil and lemon rinds in a sauce pan
• Place on very low heat for 20 minutes
• Allow to cool
• Strain and pour into a bottle

2.0 How to Include Lemon in Your Dog's Diet
 

Adding fresh lemon to your dog’s daily diet is simple

Preparing the Lemon

• Freeze a whole lemon and grate a little over your dog’s food
• Add fresh lemon juice to your dog’s water bowl. Change the lemon water on a daily basis.
• Add fresh-finely minced lemon to your dog’s food:

• Peel the lemon and slice it into 4 to 6 pieces
• Remove the seeds
• Finely chop/mince the sections of lemon, you can use a food processor
  
• Add the finely minced lemon to your dogs’ food once a day
• Remaining minced lemon can be stored in an air tight glass container (in the refrigerator) for several days

Adding The Lemon to The Daily Diet

• Start by using the half the recommended lowest dosage in your dog's size range - see 'Daily Dosage' below
• Over the space of a week to 10 days gradually increase the amount of lemon to the lowest recommended dosage for your dog's size range
• You can then increase to the higher dosage in your dog's range if you would like to do so

Daily Dosage (non-therapeutic)

• X-Small dogs - 1/16 to 1/4 tsp/day
• Small dogs - 1/4 to 1 tsp/day
• Medium dogs - 1 to 2 tsp/day
• Large dogs - 2  to 3 tsp/day
• X-Large dogs 3 to 4 tsp/day

Learn more about the health benefits of lemon for your dog here.

More natural DIY recipes for repelling mosquitoes, here.

 

3.0 Additional Foods to Help Repel Mosquitos and Support Immune System

These simple, natural whole foods can be added to your dog’s diet to help support your dog's immune system and assist in discouraging insects and parasites.

Below a selection of foods that can be added to your dog’s daily diet. 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 tsp
  Medium size dogs – 1tbs
• Large dogs – 1.5 to 2 tbs

• Cranberries - fresh/frozen finely chopped cranberries (no sugar added)
• Small size dogs - 1 tbs
  Medium size dogs – 1.5 to 2 tbs tbs
• Large dogs – 2 to 3 tbs

• Coconut Oil – read more about coconut oil here – benefits, dosage

• Garlic - fresh, chopped – read more about garlic here.
• Dosage for Garlic...
• 1 clove/1 tsp chopped garlic per every 30 lbs of body weight;

• Lemon - fresh, finely chopped
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs
• Large dogs - 1.5 to 2 tbs

• Yogurt - plain, natural, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, depending on the dog’s weight/body type/metabolism.
  Dosage for yogurt:
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp to 1 tbs
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs to 2 tbs
• Large dogs – 2 tbs to 4 tbs

• Kefir or Goat milk– read more about kefir (and/or sauerkraut) and how to introduce it to your dog’s diet here. Kefir is a powerful probiotic and should be introduced in small amounts, building up to the full dosage:
  Dosage for kefir:
• Small size dogs - 1 tsp
• Medium size dogs - 1 tbs
• Large dogs - 11/2 to 2 tbs

• Essential Omega Fatty Acids – make sure your dog is getting the right balance of Omega fatty acids. Learn more more here, and choose the Omega 3 you want to use.

• Turmeric and golden paste:
• About turmeric here. 
• Golden paste recipe here
  

Cranberries and Lemon

• Puree in a food processor.
• Store in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze.
  

Learn more about the dangers of conventional heartworm preventatives; risks, zones and alternative interventions here. 

4.0 Holistic Support

Holistic Wellness Services and Holistic Behaviorist Services 

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld