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Flies can be a major nuisance for dogs and their owners, especially in countries like Australia where the warmer months bring an increase in flies. Not only are flies irritating for dogs, but they can also transmit diseases and cause infections. Therefore, it is important to know how to keep flies away from dogs to ensure the health and comfort of your pet. This can be achieved through a combination of approaches, including maintaining a clean environment, regular grooming, and the use of pet-safe fly traps and repellents.
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What You'll Learn
Use pet-safe fly traps and repellents
Flies can be a major nuisance for dogs and can even pose a threat to their health. While keeping your dog and its surroundings clean is a good way to prevent flies, you may also need to use pet-safe fly traps and repellents to keep flies away from your dog.
One pet-safe fly trap is fly tape. This very sticky tape is attached to the ceiling. You can attach several strips of fly tape around the area and change them out as needed.
You can also use pet-safe fly repellents. It is important to consult a veterinarian before using a chemical fly repellent or applying anything topically to your dog's skin. Some essential oils can be poisonous for your dog, so you should avoid using them. Instead, look for a product that can be safely sprayed directly onto your dog's coat and combed through. These products act as a temporary deterrent. One such product is 'Fly Off', which can be used on dogs' ears. Another effective and longer-lasting product is Permoxin, which can be diluted with white petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and mineral oil (baby oil) to achieve the desired consistency.
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Keep your dog and their environment clean
Flies are attracted to dirt, odours, and food sources, so keeping your dog and their environment clean is crucial for preventing fly bites. Regular grooming is essential to prevent flies from being drawn to your dog's coat. Brush and bathe your dog at least once or twice a month, paying special attention to the area around their genitals and anus to ensure it remains clean and trimmed. This is particularly important if your dog has diarrhoea or experiences incontinence, as flies are attracted to faecal matter.
If your dog has a skin condition or a skin infection, it is more likely to attract flies, so keeping their coat clean and healthy is vital. An oatmeal bath can help soothe inflammation and keep your dog's skin and coat clean, reducing the chances of flies seeking a place to feed and lay their eggs. However, avoid using vinegar in baths or dips, as this may attract insects.
Toilet training your dog can also help keep their environment clean and less attractive to flies. Train your dog to relieve themselves in a specific area of the yard to make cleanup easier. Establishing a daily toileting routine and rewarding your dog for following it will help keep their living areas clean and reduce the risk of flies laying eggs in their faeces.
In addition to grooming and bathing your dog, maintaining a clean environment is crucial. Vacuum your carpets several times a week to remove any unseen fly eggs, and empty the vacuum outside to prevent reinfestation. Keep your dog's bedding clean by washing it at least once a week with pet-friendly soap and hot water to eliminate odours, stains, and any fly eggs. Sprinkle baking soda on the bedding to get rid of lingering odours.
It is also important to keep your dog's kennel and play areas clean. Hose down the kennels and disinfect them daily, and be sure to remove all dog waste, food, and bones throughout the day. Flies are attracted to food, so always pick up your dog's food bowl and wash it right away after they have finished eating. Keeping your dog's living areas well-maintained and free from trash, waste, and old food will help prevent fly bites and keep the fly population low.
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Be aware of what attracts flies to dogs
Flies are attracted to dogs for several reasons, some of which are preventable. Flies are drawn to dogs with skin conditions, illnesses, or diarrhoea, as they like to lay their eggs in the dog's fecal matter. This is especially true in the area of the perineum near the dog's anus, where faecal matter can become caked on and attract flies. House flies, in particular, are attracted to soiled coats, including dogs whose private parts have not been groomed properly, and those with greasy coats or skin infections.
Flies are also attracted to open food sources, so it is important to pick up your dog's food bowl and wash it right away after they have finished eating. Similarly, flies are attracted to trash and dog waste, so it is important to keep your dog's living areas clean and free of garbage, old food, and dog poop.
In addition, some dog breeds may be more prone to fly bites than others due to their physical characteristics. For example, stable flies are attracted to ears with pointed tips, such as those found on German Shepherds, while black flies target the hairless bellies of dogs. Mosquitoes, which are also a concern for dogs in Australia, will bite any exposed skin.
Finally, flies are more active during the summer months, especially during the day when temperatures are highest. This is true in Australia, where the problem of flies is most apparent during the warmer months in Sydney and late summer in tropical regions. Therefore, it is important to take extra precautions during these times to protect your dog from flies.
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Use natural remedies to deter flies
Flies are not only a nuisance to dogs but can also transmit diseases and cause painful bites that may get infected. To prevent this, it is important to keep your dog and its surroundings clean. This includes regular grooming, bathing, and cleaning of bedding and living areas. Here are some natural remedies to deter flies:
Grooming and Bathing
Groom your dog regularly to prevent attracting flies. Flies are drawn to dirt, odours, and unclean coats. Grooming helps to keep your dog's coat clean and free of any dirt or odours that may attract flies. Pay special attention to the area around your dog's genitals and anus, as these areas can become matted or dirty and attract flies. Brushing and bathing your dog once or twice a month can help reduce the attraction of flies.
Clean Bedding and Living Areas
Wash your dog's bedding at least once a week with pet-friendly soap and hot water to remove any dirt, odours, or fly eggs that may be present. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the bedding to eliminate lingering odours. Additionally, keep your dog's living areas clean and free of trash, waste, and old food, as flies thrive in dirty conditions and are attracted to odours. Vacuum carpets several times a week to pick up any unseen fly eggs.
Natural Repellents
Some natural repellents can be used to deter flies. For example, you can use a product like Odor Mute to rinse down your dog's kennel and get rid of odours that attract flies. You can also set up a screen house to create a fly-free zone for your dog. However, be cautious when using essential oils, as some can be poisonous to dogs.
Dietary Habits
Flies are attracted to food, so it is important to pick up your dog's food bowl and wash it right away after they finish eating. Additionally, do not leave dog food or bones out, as they can also attract flies.
Kennel Hygiene
Keep your dog's kennel clean and free of odours to deter flies. Hose down the kennels and disinfect them regularly. Use fly traps, such as fly tape, to catch flies that may enter the kennel area.
By following these natural remedies, you can help keep flies away from your dog and reduce the risk of bites and associated health issues.
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Walk your dog in sunny areas at midday
Walking your dog in a sunny area at midday is a great way to avoid flies. Many insects prefer to be out at dawn and dusk or hide in shaded areas, so the sun and noontime heat can help discourage them. Avoid grassy areas, as insects will lurk in the grass and bite your dog's tummy as they pass, especially if your dog is low to the ground. Additionally, many insects, like mosquitoes, prefer wet and marshy areas, so it's best to avoid walking your dog in these spots during the buggy season.
When walking your dog in sunny areas at midday, it's important to take precautions to protect your dog from the heat. Make sure your dog has access to shade and fresh water to prevent overheating. You can also apply dog-safe sunscreen to your dog's nose and other exposed areas to protect them from the sun's rays.
It's also important to note that while walking your dog in sunny areas at midday can help deter flies, it may not completely eliminate them. Flies can still be a problem, especially during the warmer months in Australia when flies are more prevalent and breeding. In addition to walking your dog in sunny areas, you should also take other measures to keep flies away from your dog.
This includes keeping your dog and their living areas clean, as flies are attracted to dirt, odours, and fecal matter. Regular grooming, such as brushing and bathing your dog, can help remove dirt and odours that may attract flies. Keeping your dog's bedding and living areas clean and free of food or waste can also help deter flies.
In addition to cleanliness, you can use fly repellents specifically designed for dogs. It's important to consult your veterinarian before applying any topicals to your dog's skin, as some essential oils can be poisonous. However, there are dog-safe options available, such as pet-safe fly traps and sprays, that can help keep flies away from your dog.
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Frequently asked questions
Flies are attracted to dirt, bad odours, and fecal matter. They also tend to target thinly-haired parts of a dog's coat, such as the ears and belly.
Keep the kennel and surrounding area as clean as possible. Remove dog waste at frequent intervals, hose down the kennels, and disinfect them daily. You can also use pet-safe fly traps and repellents.
Regular grooming and cleaning can help keep flies off your dog. Brush and bathe your dog at least once or twice a month, paying extra attention to the area around their genitals and anus to prevent matting. You can also try to walk your dog during midday when the sun is out, as flies are less active at this time.
Yes, there are dog-safe insect repellents available. However, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian before applying anything topically to your dog's skin. Some essential oils, for example, can be poisonous for dogs. A product called Permoxin is mentioned as being effective and longer-lasting.
