Mosquito Safety for Pets

The Mosquito Disease That Targets Your Dog

When people think of mosquito-borne disease, they think of human illnesses. But the most common serious mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey veterinary clinics is canine heartworm disease — transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, expensive and difficult to treat, and almost entirely preventable. If you take one thing from this page, let it be this: keep your dog on year-round heartworm prevention, as your veterinarian recommends.

Heartworm Disease in Dogs

• How it spreads: a mosquito bites an infected dog, picks up heartworm larvae, and passes them to the next dog it bites. It takes about 6 months for larvae to mature into adult worms in the heart and lungs.
• Why it is serious: adult worms damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Treatment exists but is lengthy, expensive, and hard on the dog — prevention costs a fraction of treatment.
• Prevention is simple: a monthly chewable, topical, or injectable preventive prescribed by your veterinarian, given year-round. In New Jersey, mosquitoes can emerge during any warm stretch, so most vets do not recommend seasonal-only prevention.
• Annual testing matters: most vets run a quick heartworm blood test once a year. A missed dose plus a skipped test is how infections go unnoticed.

What About Cats?

Cats can get heartworm too, though it is less common than in dogs. There is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats — infected cats must fight it off on their own, and some do not. That makes prevention and mosquito control around the home even more important for cat owners. Talk to your veterinarian about whether preventive is right for your cat, especially if mosquitoes get indoors.

Never Use Human Bug Spray on Pets

• Do not use DEET or other human repellents on dogs or cats unless your veterinarian specifically directs it. Pets groom themselves and ingest what is on their fur.
• Use only pet-labeled mosquito and flea products, at the correct weight and species dosing.
• Cat owners: never use dog products on cats. Some ingredients safe for dogs — notably permethrin — are toxic to cats.
• Ask your vet about pet-safe options for hikes, camping, and heavy mosquito evenings.

Yard Steps for Pet Owners

• Tip-and-toss weekly — pets’ water bowls included. Dump and refresh outdoor bowls every day or two.
• Fix the spots pets create: the muddy hollow by the fence where the dog digs, the low spot under the deck where water pools.
• Keep the potty area sunny and mowed short. Dogs doing their business at dusk — peak house-mosquito hour — get bitten plenty.
• Bring pets in at dusk during peak season, or supervise evening yard time.
• Check screens so mosquitoes are not biting indoor pets all night either.

Quick Answers

Can mosquitoes make my dog sick?

Yes. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease to dogs, which is serious and expensive to treat but easy to prevent with monthly preventive medication from your veterinarian.

Can I use my own bug spray on my dog?

No. Never use human insect repellents containing DEET on pets unless your veterinarian specifically directs it. Use only pet-labeled products.

Do cats get heartworm from mosquitoes too?

Cats can get heartworm, though it is less common than in dogs and there is no approved treatment for cats — which makes prevention and mosquito control around the home even more important.

Do Not Forget the Humans

Every time you let the dog out at dusk, you are out there too. Our Mosquito Safety for Kids guide has the repellent and clothing routine the whole family can use, and the Seasonal Yard Mosquito Checklist covers the full property strategy.