Can I Put Mosquito Repellent on My Dog?
Short answer: Do not put human mosquito repellent on your dog unless the product label specifically says it is for dogs. Human skin repellents are labeled for people, pets can lick treated skin, and pet parasite products have their own directions and risks. Use a veterinarian-recommended product labeled for your animal.
The label is the boundary
A repellent label is not a vibe check. It is the use direction. The EPA tells people looking for a repellent to use the label to choose the right product and to follow label directions. NPIC says common repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus can be applied to human skin, and some can be used on clothing. That sentence does not turn a human product into a dog product.
Why dogs are a different surface
A dog is not just a smaller person with fur. The coat changes coverage. The animal can lick the product. A family member may pet the dog and get residue on their own hands. NPIC describes exposure routes as skin, eyes, breathing, or eating, and notes that residues can be eaten if hands are not washed after repellent use. With pets, grooming makes that oral route harder to ignore.
What to do instead
Use products labeled for that animal, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure. The American Veterinary Medical Association says external parasites can irritate, injure, and transmit disease to pets, and that pet owners should work with a veterinarian on prevention and treatment. That is especially important if the pet is old, very young, pregnant, sick, medicated, or lives with cats.
Where Longsleeve fits
Longsleeve is for people. It is an EPA-registered 20% picaridin insect repellent lotion, EPA Reg. No. 101457-1. Use it on human skin as directed by the label. For your dog, use a dog-labeled product.
Common questions
Can I use Longsleeve on my dog?
No. Longsleeve is an EPA-registered insect repellent lotion for people. Do not use it on pets.
What should I use for a dog instead?
Use products labeled for dogs and follow the directions. Your veterinarian can help choose flea, tick, and mosquito protection for your dog.
Why is licking a problem?
If a pet licks treated skin, a product meant for skin contact can become an oral exposure. Labels are written around the intended route and species.
Sources
- EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
- NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html
- AVMA, External Parasites. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/external-parasites
- CDC, Preventing Tick Bites. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html
Last reviewed 2026-08-31 · every claim on this page is sourced above