Insect Repellent For Dogs: The Complete FAQ Guide In 2025

1.What is insect repellent for dogs?

Insect repellent for dogs

The insect repellent for dogs are specified products that are designed to protect the dogs from harmful insects that creates headache for the dogs. Do you know the insects that create problems for dogs? They are mosquitoes, fleas, mites and lice etc. they create discomfort, allergic reactions and sometimes serious health issues in dogs as well.

Are you wondering you can use the human repellent for dogs as well? Never use them for dogs as they are toxic to them and can cause severe health issues.

2.Do you know how the insect repellent for dogs work? 

The insect repellent for dogs work by creating a protective shield on the skin, fur and through slow-releasing mechanisms of collars. This shield either:

Repels insects:

The insect repellent for dogs have ingredients that can cause strong smell to the insects so, they refuse to come closer to the dog’s body. Some ingredients have strong unpleasant odor to insects or may mask the dog’s scent so, insects confuse and can’t land on the dog.

Kills or paralyzes the insects:

The insect repellents have chemicals like permethrin, fipronil and imidacloprid. When flies attempt to bite the dogs body then the chemical target on the insect nervous system and damage it. In this way, the insect repellent for dogs not only repels the insect but also kills or paralyze the insects.

Breaks the life cycle:

The repellents have chemicals that interrupt the life cycle of the insects. The insect growth regulators prevent and breaks the life cycle. But how? It can prevent the eggs from hatching, if eggs hatched then larvae are prevented from developing etc. In this way, adult insects can’t be grow.

3.What are the types of insect repellent for dogs?

Is your dog is suffering from insects bite and you are wondering for the insect repellent? Well, there are various types of insect repellent for dogs are available and you can use them to find your dog happy and healthy. These are as follows:

Topical spot-on treatments:

Topical spot-on treatments for dogs

Is your dog is roaming in the grassy area and when home back you see your dog itching occurred? Well, to avoid the skin irritation, you have a liquid solution that can apply directly to the skin. But where should they be applied? You can apply on the neck and shoulder area of the dog.

The advantages of this treatment is for month, you dog can be protected from lice, fleas and mosquitoes.

But the disadvantages is that it cause irritation to the sensitive skin of the dog and you can’t use it for your cats.

Oral medications:

Oral medications as an insect repellent for dogs-Picture courtesy: entirelypetspharmacy.com

Are you the type of dog owner who wants to treat your dog with zero mess? But is it possible to prevent your dog from insects with zero mess? Well, there are chewables or pills that enter your dog body through mouth. They dissolves in the body and from there they enter the dog bloodstream. When the insect bites, it ingest the medication and dies without harming the dog. These medications work from 1 to 3 months in your dog body.

Insect repellent collars:

Insect repellent collars

Are you dog owner having busy schedule and prefer low effort protection for your dog? You have a good option available, you can mix collars with insect repellent chemicals that gradually released and can spread over the dog skin and coat. Do you know this repellent protect against what? Ticks, lice and mosquitoes are prevented for a long time by using this repellent.

The main advantage of using this type repellent is long lasting and you can easily use it.

But besides advantages, there are some disadvantages and that is it cause irritation around the neck area and not suitable for your dog if dislikes wearing collar.

Sprays and mists:

Insect repellent sprays and mists for dogs-Picture courtesy: getsunday.com

Do you want to travel with your dog? Or wants to go out with your dog as a companion for a walk? You can spray liquid repellent onto your dog’s coat. The spray has repellent that is chemical based and plant oil-based. The spray can protect your dog from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and other biting insects for few hours to a day.

Insect repellent shampoos:

Insect repellent shampoos for dogs-Picture courtesy: wondercide.com

Is your dog have sensitive skin? Or do you want to get benefit of bathing and pest control in one product? For this purpose, there are special designed shampoos that contains ingredients that can help kill or repel the insects. In this way, your dog can happily spend few days to a week with treated skin irritations or infestations. This shampoo is helpful in preventing the lice, mites and fleas in your dog.

Natural / herbal repellents:

Natural/herbal insect repellent for dogs-Picture courtesy: danaturaldog.com

Do you want to spray or exposed your dog to the repellents having no chemicals? There are natural repellents available in the market that are made from plant extracts and can help protect the dog from insects. They can give pleasant smell to your dog as well. It works for a short time meaning that reapplication needed after few hours.

4.Can you use insect repellent for dogs for your puppies as well?

Do you have insect repellent for dogs available but wants to apply for your puppy? Absolutely, you can use them for your puppies but under certain restrictions and considerations. Make sure to always check the labels on the repellents.

Types of insect repellents	For puppies
Topical spot-on treatments	This is suitable for puppies who are 8 weeks or old. If used for puppies, it can be effective and long lasting. Sometimes, it cause irritation so, avoid in applying in those areas where licking occur. You should always use vet recommended puppy formulas.
Oral medications	For oral medications, always consult the veterinarians. If it is prescribed, you can use for 4 to 8 weeks puppy. It can provide powerful internal protections.
Insect repellent collars	It is recommended for 12 week puppies. If you want for a safe collar repellents then choose collar labelled for puppy’s formula. Your puppy will be protected from insects up to 8 months. It can cause choking hazard if chewed so, apply with precautions.
Sprays and mists	It can vary by product. You can use from birth but you have to choose the alcohol free or essential oil options for this purpose. It can easily be apply and need reapplications.
Shampoos	If your puppy is 4 to 8 weeks old then you can use shampoo for them. Always use puppy formula shampoo. It can clean and repel the insects and soothes the kin.

5.Should you use insect repellent for dogs daily during summer?

Is your dog loved to spend a lot of time outdoors? Or play in an area with high mosquitoes, fleas or tick activities? If you want to protect your dog from insects then yes, you can use insect repellent for dogs daily during summer but only certain types.

Yes-if there is daily risk:

If your dog is spending a lot of time outdoors then you can use natural sprays and natural wipes daily. You can apply spray before walk or outdoor play. Wipes are used for short term protection of dogs from insects. This will reduce the painful bites of the insects and reduce the risks of parasites and infections in your dog.

No- if long-lasting protection is already applied:

If your dog has already taken the medications for insect repellent that works for weeks or months then you should not use a daily repellent. The long lasting insect repellents are chemical spot-on treatments, oral medications and collars because they are already ling lasting. If apply daily then it can lead to overdosing or skin reaction to your dog.

6.What are the natural options of insect repellent for dogs?

Is your dog skin is sensitive? Are you conscious about the chemical based repellents used for the dogs? Or you just want a daily insect repellent for your dogs? Well, for these purposes, there are best insects repellent options are available for your dogs. The detail in given in the table below:

Natural ingredients	Insect repelled and its use
Neem oil	You can add neem oil to the shampoo that is diluted with water or carrier oil. Fill it in a spray bottle and the dog body is sprayed with such solution. Apply it in small amount and avoid the eyes and mouth area. This will prevent the dog from fleas, tick and mosquitoes.
Lemongrass oil	You should dilute the lemongrass oil with natural collar. Properly dilute it otherwise it can irritate the dog skin. This solution will prevent your dog from mosquitoes and fleas.
Lavender oil	The lavender oil can be use in diluted sprays or you can add it to the bath. If used in small dose, this can create calming effect. Moths and mosquitoes are repelled by using it.
Cedarwood oil	The Cedarwood oil is effective if used in natural sprays or collars. This solution can protect the dog from mosquitoes and flies.
Peppermint oil	You can spray the peppermint oil onto dog body or can diffuse around the dog areas. The strong smell can prevent the dog from insects. Fleas, ants and flies are repelled by using it.

7.How to manufacture the insect repellent for dogs in industries?

The insect repellent for dogs in industries can be manufactured in a series and sequential manner. The step by step process in given below:

Industrial manufacturing process for insect repellent for dogs:

Topical spot-on treatments

Topical spot-on treatment for dog

Steps	Explanation
Formulation	You can use neem oil, lemongrass oil or lavender oil as a repellent for insects. The distilled water as a base liquid is emphasized. You can also use coconut oil as a base liquid as well. Potassium sorbate should be used as a preservative or vitamin E oil to increase the shelf life of insect repellents for dogs.
Mixing	All the raw ingredients are then transferred into the mixing tank where all the ingredients are mixed well for 20 to 60 minutes depending upon the batch size and homogeneity.
Filling	The mixed products obtained in then transferred to a holding tank. The product is then pumped into the filling machine that fills the product into different sized bottles.
Sealing and packaging	In order to secure the products or insect repellent in the bottles, capping and sealing is done. After that, they are packaged in a boxes or cartons.

Oral tablets/chews:

Fleas and tick prevention chewable pills for dog

Steps	Explanation
Granulation	The active ingredients and powders are mixed with insect repellents and granulated. You can insert binder solution into the powder for wet granulation procedure. If there are moisture- sensitive ingredients then dry granulation is preferred.
Tablet pressing or encapsulation	The formed granules are then pressed in to customized shaped tablets. The granules can also be filled in the capsules.
Coating	The tablets and capsules are coated by using coating machine. This enhance the flavor and stability of the tablets and capsules.
Dedusting and polishing	The tablets and capsules are then process through dedusting and polishing procedure to get smooth and shiny tablets and capsules.
Blistering or bottling	The formed insect repellents tablets and capsules are then packed into blisters and bottles to ensure its safety.

Insect repellent collars

Steps	Explanation
Mixing of materials	You should mix insect repellents with polymer resins and additives to get a uniform mixture.
Forming the collar	The mixture is then heated and molded into collar form and then left for cooling.
Cutting	After cooling, cut them in collar sizes.
Labelling	The collar is then move along a conveyor where they are labelled with an essential information related to insect repellents like drug name, precautions, direction of use and ingredients used etc. the batch coding machine prints the batch number, QR code etc. to ensure the traceability of the product.
packaging	The labelled products having insect repellents, are packaged into cartons or boxes. The boxes safeguard the products. This ensures the transport of insect repellents to the markets in safe way and satisfy the customers

Sprays and mists

Insect repellent spray for dog

Steps	Explanation
Formulation	If you are using the natural ingredients like neem oil and chemical ingredients then, you should mix them well. Water, alcohol and insect repellents should be mixed very well.
Blending	If the oil based ingredients are used then they should be emulsify into the water phase by using emulsifier or blender. You will get a homogenous liquid.
Filling	The homogenized liquid product should be filled in spray bottles by using filling machine.
Capping and labelling	The desired capping like pump tops and spray tops is done by using capping machine. Caps are then sealed by using sealing machine that applies torque to ensure the tighten seals. These spray bottles are then labelled with an essential information.

Shampoos

Insect repellent shampoo for dog

Steps	Explanation
Mixing	You should mixed all the shampoo ingredients e.g. thickener, surfactants etc. are mixed with insect repellent ingredients.
Homogenization	To obtain high viscous solution of shampoo, you should homogenize them by using high speed stirrer.
Filling	You will obtain viscous liquid when should be filled into bottles or sachets by using liquid filling machine.
Sealing and labelling	The filled sachets and bottles are then sealed by using sealing machine. These sealed bottles and sachets are then transferred to the labelling machine where all the necessary information should be labelled.
Packaging	The labelled sachets and bottles are packaged into the customized boxes and cartons by using cartoning machine.

Natural/herbal repellents:

Natural/ herbal repellent powder for dog

Steps	Explanation
Grinding	All the solid ingredients are grind in to small particles by using grinding machine.
Blending	The small particles are blend uniformly by using blender. The blender pulverize into the small particles to ensure the flowability.
Sieving	The blended powder is then processed through a sieving machine to ensure removal of any particulates or lumps. This ensures the clear, smooth and fine texture of the final product.
Filling	The fine powder is then filled into the sachets or jars etc. this ensures the safety and contaminant free packaging of insect repellent powders.
Packaging	The filled product is then packaged into styled and good boxes by using cartoning machine.

8.What type of machines are involved in the manufacturing of insect repellent for dogs?

There are various formulation of insect repellents for dog. The machines involved in manufacturing of these insect repellents are as follows:

Mixing and formulation equipment:

Storage and mixing tank

Raw materials storage and mixing tank-Picture courtesy: chunkerowaterplant.com

The measured amount of ingredients are stored in the storage tank. The ingredients should be essential oil, water as a solvent and preservatives. The liquid materials are then transferred from tank to the mixing tank by using transfer pump.

Do you know which equipment is used to mix all the ingredients well? It’s the agitator tank or liquid mixing tank that blends all the ingredients uniformly.

High shear mixer or emulsifier:

AIPAK high shear mixer

If the oil based ingredients are used as a raw material, then you should use high shear mixer or emulsifier to break down the ingredients into small components and form a stable solution.

Filling machines:

There are various types of filling machines are used depends on the types of insect repellent to be manufactured. These are as follows:

Liquid Filling production line

AIPAK liquid filling production line

Some of the insect repellents are in the lotion formulation that is applied over a dog’s coat. The propellant-based insect repellents are filled into the containers by using this machine. It can precisely filled the liquids into the spray bottles, and performs valve crimping and propellant gassing in sequence.

Trigger Spray Bottle Filling machine production line

AIPAK Spray bottle filling production line

The natural and non-aerosol sprays products are filled by using this machine. This is complete production line in which precise filling, pump cap placement and labelling of the spray bottle occur.

Liquid Syrup Filling Machine production line

AIPAK Liquid Syrup Filling Machine production line

Some medications are given orally to the dogs by using droppers. So, the liquid syrup has insect repellent ingredients that can repel or paralyze the insects if contact with the dog’s body. The liquid syrups are filled into the bottles by using liquid syrup filling machine.

Labelling machine:

AIPAK Front & Back Sticker Automatic Labeling Machine 

The bottles, sachets etc. are then labelled with a drug name, ingredients, precautions, dose and brand name, if not production line is used. It also ensures the manufacturing and expiry date, batch numbers and QR code to ensure the traceability and safety of the products and to the dogs.

Cartoning machine:

AIPAK cartoning machine

If cartoning machine is not used in the production line, the insect’s repellent bottles are then packed in the boxes or cartons with the help of cartoning machine. The cartoning machine can hold every type of flat cartons and then fold them and shaped into boxes. It automatically hold and place the bottles into the cartons and ensures the aesthetic packaging of the insect repellents. These cartons support and protect the products during shipping and transportation.

9.Can you use pharmaceutical-grade machines in the manufacturing of insect repellent for dogs?

You must be wondering if you can use pharmaceutical-grade machines for the manufacturing of insect repellent for dogs. Ask yourself, is the chemical based insect repellents can absorb in the dog or puppy body? Yes, for ensuring the high quality and sterile production of insect repellents for the dogs, it is necessary to use pharmaceutical grade machines for its manufacturing.

The use of such machines are appropriate when:

• High purity is required. Either you wants to spray or apply the repellent on your dog body it will absorb so, sterility, purity and consistent quality is necessary for the final product and you can achieve it by using pharmaceutical-grade machines.
• If the injectable insect repellents are needed for your dog that directly goes into the blood stream of your dog. For that purpose, by using pharmaceutical grade machines ensures safety from contaminations and safe formulation is ensured.
• In some regions, pet products are regulated like human drugs so, for this purpose, the pharmaceutical grade machines meets good manufacturing practices (GMPs) standards.

10.What should be considered during the manufacturing of insect repellent for dogs?

If you are manufacturing the insect repellent for dogs, your ultimate goal should protect the dogs without compromising their health. But what should be do? You must focus on the ingredients safety, regulatory compliance, precise formulations etc. these are as follows:

Factors to be considered	How should be considered?
Selection of safe ingredients	Before using ingredients for manufacturing insects repellents for dogs, ask yourself, are you using veterinary approved active ingredients? Always use safe ingredients for dogs either it is chemical based or natural options.
Dosage and concentration	You should keep it in mind while formulation that, is this products for small, large dogs or for puppies? Then use the dose and ensures that the used concentration is effective against the insects but non-toxic to the dog and puppy.
Formulation stability	Always ensures the insect repellent stability over time. Check the stability by checking the PH, viscosity etc. if you want to prolong the shelf life of the products, you can use animal- safe preservatives as well.
Manufacturing environment	The environment in which the machines operates should be clean and controlled. You must make sure that there should be no cross contamination from other veterinary products or human products.
Packaging considerations	While manufacturing, are you using pet safe, leak proof containers? The insect repellents should be in the containers that hinder the interference of heat, light and moisture with the products. The clear labelling must be done on the bottles as well as on the cartons.
Regulatory compliance	You must make sure the veterinary drugs and pesticides regulation to be followed. For example, in Pakistan, DRAP is followed and in USA, FDA etc. is followed.
Machines calibration and maintenance	While manufacturing the insects repellent for dogs, you should calibrate and clean the machines like fillers, mixers and cappers to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the machine.

Conclusion:

After reading this blog, you are now aware of the types of insect repellents, natural options of insect repellents and many more. If you are dog owner then, you must be take care of your dog as your family. Applying of insect repellents on the dog body can protect them from mosquitoes, fleas and lice etc. and you will find your dog happy and healthy. You can also manufacture insect repellents for dogs. AIPAK ENGINEERING is providing you pharmaceutical-grade machinery for the manufacturing of insect repellents for dogs to ensure the safety and quality. If you have any query, feel free to reach us!