Gnat bites on dogs: Treatment, Prevention and Things to avoid

Robert James
Pest Control Technician
gnat bites on dog
Image source : wagwalkingweb.com 

Gnats aren’t just an annoyance but could also pose health risks. Did you know gnats bite? These gnat bites can be a source of diseases in humans and other living beings. Thus, it is not just you, but also your beloved pet dog that might suffer health consequences due to gnat bites.

So, let us elaborate on this aspect of how a gnat bite affects dogs.

Why gnats bite

Most gnats hover around you and surroundings being an aggravating presence. These gnat types depend on organic matter for their nutrition and breeding.

However, there are some other gnat types that depend on animal blood for nutrition. These are the ones that most likely will bite your dog. Biting gnats, mainly the females, depend on a blood diet to get the required protein for laying eggs. Feeding on blood provides the females with sufficient nutrition and energy to lay eggs for proper breeding. Male gnats do not bite.

Hence, the only reason that a gnat might bite your dog is because of its dietary need.

How to spot a gnat bite? Check out our ‘What gnat bites look like’ article.

Gnat bite on dogs: prevention and treatment

Prevention from gnat bites for your dog is important because of the health risks associated. Your first step should be to avoid getting your dog bitten by gnats.

But, sometimes, it just happens to be - a gnat bites your dog. In such a case, you should be quick to assess the situation and act accordingly to treat the bite.

So, let’s focus on some prevention and treatment measures concerning gnat bite on dogs.

Preventing gnat bites

Gnats won’t be around you if they don’t have suitable grounds for living and breeding. Therefore, you should concentrate on making your surroundings unfavorable for gnats to live and reproduce.

Meaning, you should:

  • Keep your surroundings dry. Gnats love moisture as it helps with breeding. So, clear water from drains and puddles nearby.
  • Use gnat repellents. These products are specifically made to drive gnats away. You can find numerous products in the market that are safe for use on animals.

Following the above suggestions should keep your dog and other pets safe from gnat bites.

But, what to do if a gnat has bitten your dog?

Treating gnat bites

Dogs, or any pet, cannot speak their mind. So, you have to look for signs that suggest your pet is feeling uneasy about something.

A common sign of gnat bite would be scratching. Your dog might try to scratch the bitten spot repeatedly.

If you find your dog trying to scratch a specific body part continuously, immediately tend to it. Use a head cone to prevent licking of the bitten spot.

Next, prepare a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it over the bitten spot to help soothe the bitten spot.

Look for allergic reactions. Things like feeling uneasy and swelling are signs of your dog having an allergic reaction. If that’s the case, take it to a vet immediately and get appropriate treatment.

Take care of your dog…

By protecting it from gnat bites.

In this article, we talked about why gnats bite living beings, gnat bite prevention, and treatment procedures.

We hope you found value in this article.

Do let us know how it helped you in the comments.

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