Do mosquitoes bite dogs? Both humans and dogs are vulnerable to mosquito bites and disease. Find out how Terminix can help protect you and your pets.
Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs?
The answer is yes. If your dog is bitten by a mosquito, it may also be vulnerable to heartworm or other mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and System Lupus Erythematosus. However, if a dog is bit by a mosquito, it will most likely just experience the same itching and irritation humans feel when they are bitten by mosquitoes. Can dogs get mosquito bites if they have thick hair? Yes, even dogs with a lot of fur can get bitten where they are least protected, like their ears and nose. Find out how you can help protect your dog from mosquito bites and what signs to look out for.
Mosquito Bite Symptoms in Dogs
The following symptoms could indicate mosquito bites on your dog:
- Constant scratching
- Rubbing ears or nose against a rough surface
- Red bumps or welts similar to mosquito bites on humans
- Systemic illness from mosquito-borne parasite infection
- Coughing
- Respiratory difficulty
- Lethargy or depression
- Intolerance to exercise
- Lack of appetite or weight loss.
How Disease Transmission Occurs
Mosquitoes will typically acquire a disease-causing pathogen from an infected host while taking a blood meal. Once infected, the pathogen must survive inside the mosquito until it is passed along to another host during another blood meal. Transmission typically occurs through a mosquito’s saliva. Therefore, in order to transmit disease, the pathogen must survive passing through the mosquito’s digestive system to accumulate in the salivary glands. Only certain mosquito species are able to transmit a particular disease.
Heartworm is the most common infection passed from mosquitoes to dogs. Cases of heartworms in dogs are the most prevalent along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Other areas where heartworm cases in dogs are common are the Midwest and North-central states.
Tips for Mosquito Bite Prevention
Dogs should be given monthly preventative heartworm medication year-round (provided by their veterinarian) to help prevent heartworm larvae. Do dogs get mosquito bites even with heartworm medication? Heartworm medication does not repel mosquitoes and dogs can still be infected with heartworms transmitted by mosquitoes, but the worms do not survive in dogs that are properly treated with preventative heartworm medication.
The best way to protect your dog against mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent your dog from getting bitten. This can be done by helping to reduce potential mosquito sites in your yard:
- Remove any containers with standing water, such as pet bowls, ornamental ponds or old tires.
- Make sure water in plant or flower pots properly drains.
- Mow tall grass where mosquitoes could be hiding.
- Change the water in birdbaths and children’s pools at least once a week. Turn wading pools upside down when not in use.
- Keep rain gutters unclogged and dry.
- Drain any puddles, ditches or swampy places around the home.
- Seal any potential entry points to the inside of your home.
- Consider replacing your porch or outdoor lights with special bulbs called “bug lights.
- Have a pest control specialist treat your yard.
Terminix® has a long-lasting mosquito solution that can help protect your yard for weeks. With our solution plan, you can help protect yourself, pets and backyard events from these blood-sucking pests. Contact Terminix today to schedule a free inspection.
