How To Keep Flies Off Dogs

Summertime is a great time for dogs, but it can also be challenging because of all the pesky flies.

Flies can be annoying for dogs, and they can also cause skin problems.

In this article, we will discuss tips on how to keep flies off dogs’ skin and prevent fly bites.

What Are The Best Ways To Keep Flies Off Dogs?

image if a fly from near

Wash And Groom Your Dog

Grooming your dog regularly is a great way to keep flies off them.

Grooming helps de-shed your pet’s fur and lets you check for flies and fleas.

Flies are drawn to dirty pets, things like that attract flies.

This indicates that regular baths are essential!

A warm bath keeps flies away from Fido and their fur soft and smelling fresh.

Essential Oils

Using essential oils is an affordable way to keep your pup fly-free while enjoying the outdoors!

Essential oils are a natural fly repellent.

Essential oils are becoming popular for providing an effective, chemical-free method to deter flies from your furry friend.

You can make your own essential oils: A simple mixture of citronella and peppermint oil mixed with a bit of structured water can help.

Applying these oils to your pup’s fur will also help create an extra barrier against flies and their pesky bites.

Keep Your Dog’s Environment Clean

white brown dog from back scratching himself

To do this, maintaining a clean environment for your pup is critical.

To keep flies away, keep their living and sleeping areas clean, sweep up food crumbles, and dispose of pet waste routinely.

Use fly-repellent products or keep window screens closed to keep flies out.

Check your dog’s ears, nose, and eyes periodically for flies, which can cause discomfort and infections.

Using these tips will help keep flies away from you and your pet.

Sprinkle Baking Soda On Your Dog’s Bedding To Get Rid Of Lingering Odors

Baking soda is a great natural way to freshen up your pet’s bedding and get rid of lingering odors.

Sprinkling some baking soda over the affected area can pull any odors out of the fabrics.

Additionally, flies are repelled by baking soda, making it an excellent tool to keep flies away from your furry friend.

However, ensure that any baking soda you use is food-grade quality.

Regular baking soda found in most kitchens won’t be safe for your pup’s sensitive skin.

House Train Your Dog

Potty training your pup is not only an integral part of housebreaking but also a great way to keep flies off dogs.

Provide designated areas for toileting with grass mats and another terrain your pup can use as his or her restroom.

Make sure these spots are away from where your pup eats, sleeps, and plays for health reasons.

Also, use special tools like poop bag holders and pickers to maintain a clean environment outdoors and at home.

With daily practice and patience from you, your pup will learn eventually.

It will be worth it in the end!

white brown dog scratching himself

Feed Your Dog Healthy Food

Keeping your dog’s diet healthy and balanced is essential for his or her health, but did you know that it can also help keep pesky flies away?

Research shows that dogs who are well-fed and don’t suffer from malnutrition attract flies due to their lack of odor.

Natural ingredients, portioned food without additives, and preservatives can repel flies.

Adding canned or fresh fish to your dog’s diet improves skin tone, reduces inflammation, and repels insects.

Good quality food advised by your vet will help keep fleas away.

Pick Up Your Dog’s Food

Keeping dogs happy and healthy is a priority of any dog owner.

Aside from taking them for checkups and following proper exercise routines, another way to make your pup’s life better is by picking up your dog’s food right away.

Leaving food out and not disposing of it can lead to flies being attracted to it, which can harm your four-legged companion.

Flies love to lay eggs in wet foods, such as kibble left unattended, which hatch into larvae later.

To prevent this from happening, try to clean off the space around where you feed your pet every time you give them food.

Wash Your Dog’s Bedding

Keeping your pet’s bedding clean not only helps keep them comfortable and happy but also helps keep the pests away.

If your furry friend sleeps outside or rolls around in the dirt, their bedding can become a breeding ground for flies and other insects.

Of course, you want to minimize contact with any of these unwanted pests

That’s why it’s key to make sure you’re washing your dog’s bedding.

This will ensure your pet stays safe and healthy while also preventing extra messes around the house!

Washing your dog’s bedding often eliminates any lingering odors, which can mean a more pleasant home environment for everyone!

Clean Your Dog’s Kennel Area

If the kennel isn’t kept clean, flies will be attracted to the area due to leftover food scraps and unclean surfaces.

The most effective way to ensure a fly-free environment is to clean your pet’s kennel area.

That means to also throw out any food that may have attracted them to begin with.

If you can, try to move the kennel away from wet areas, where flies are much more likely to linger.

Clean Up Your Dog’s Poop

brown puppy scratching himself

Disposing of dog poop is essential to keeping flies away from your pup.

Flies attract the scent of feces, so it’s best to pick it up as soon as possible after your dog does its business.

You can use eco-friendly dod trowel.

Once the poop has been collected, you should seal it in a designated bin or bag before properly disposing it.

Clean Up The Trash Around Your Home

Keeping an area clean of trash can do more than just maintain good looks – it can also help keep your beloved pets healthy and safe.

When you clear away all your household trash in secure containers, you’ll reduce sour odors and pests at home and protect your pup from harmful insects.

Taking these steps will help ensure that everyone in the family stays safe and healthy!

Trying Natural Fly Repellent Or Chemical Fly Repellents

Using natural fly repellents on your canine companion is a great way to keep the pesky insects away.

Apple cider vinegar, lavender, and eucalyptus oil are common natural repellents.

In addition to being safer for your pet than chemical alternatives, natural medicines sometimes have a pleasing smell.

If all else fails, however, it may be necessary to use chemical products designed for keeping flies off of dogs.

While chemical repellents may be effective in dealing with a stubborn infestation of flies, it is best to use these as a last resort after attempting other remedies.

Ask Your Veterinarian About Prescribed Balms Or Dog-Safe Cleaners

To ensure your pup’s well-being, it may be beneficial to consult with your trusted veterinarian about prescribed balms or cleansers designed for canine safety.

Many of these products have been designed to provide lasting protection from those pesky insects.

So don’t forget to ask your vet about what options are available!

Vacuum The Carpet

Vacuuming carpets is an effective way to reduce the number of flies that are attracted to your dogs.

Vacuuming works well because it removes the dirt, dust, and pet hair that can attract these pesky insects.

Invest in an upright vacuum for deep-pile carpets.

Regular vacuuming will keep your dog healthy and free of fly bites.

If your home still has a significant fly population, try insect repellent sprays that target flies.

Apply Apple Cider

white black dog scratching himself

Apple cider has the potential to be used in a number of ways, including keeping flies away from dogs.

All you need to do is mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then mist it onto your dog’s fur.

The sharp aroma of the vinegar acts as an effective repellent against flies and other pests while being gentle enough not to cause any irritation.

Apple cider also has added benefits for your pup’s skin and coat, leaving them smelling fresh with a healthy shine!

It may sound simple, but it really is an easy and effective way to protect your four-legged friend.

Hang Up Fly Traps

Having to constantly swat away flies from your pet can be an annoyance.

An effective solution is to hang up fly traps near the dog’s food, water, and waste areas.

Fly traps is a non toxic fly repellent bait, which will attract and capture flies in an enclosed space.

This trap should be emptied to ensure the area stays free of flies.

Do your pup a favor – hang up some fly traps and help keep those pesky insects away!

Use Natural Pesticides To Repel Flies

Natural pesticides use ingredients that are generally considered safe for humans and animals alike.

These solutions are made up of essential oils such as peppermint, citronella, and eucalyptus, which work together to repel the flies.

Add several drops of the blend to your dog’s collar or bedding daily to help drive those flying critters away from the area.

Just make sure to test out the blend on a small area of your dog first in order to make sure they don’t have any adverse reactions before applying it widely.

Using natural pesticides is an effective way to protect dogs from troubling flies this summer – giving you peace of mind as you enjoy time out in the sun with your four-legged friend.

What Not To Do To Get A Dog Rid Of Flies

Trying to get rid of flies can be a real nuisance, but there are some things you shouldn’t do if you want to eliminate these pests effectively.

Flypaper may be effective for catching individual flies but won’t make a dent in larger populations.

Similarly, relying on aerosol sprays and other synthetic products will only cause you to become the temporary ruler of your fly problem.

Such products are dangerous for your family and pets and lack long-term solutions as they tend to repel the same flies that come back quickly.

If you want to eliminate flies from your home, natural remedies like essential oils and integrated pest management are more effective.

Utilizing screens can also help keep them out of your home once it’s been cleared out.

Whether you try natural or synthetic methods, ensure that your solutions are safe for your dog.

Why Do Flies Bite My Dog?

Flies can become a nuisance when they bother your pet, but why do they do so?

Flies bite dogs and other animals for two reasons: getting a blood meal or laying fly eggs near a food source.

Warmth and carbon dioxide from our pets’ skin attract blood-feeding flies.

Fly eggs love damp, moist locations near faeces or food particles.

During the warm summer months, our dogs can be bitten by these parasites, leaving them itchy and uncomfortable.

Natural repellents like citronella oil, bug zappers, and fly traps can help.

Before You Go…

Now you know how to keep flies off dogs.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.