Poisonous to Dogs: The Dangers of Insect Repellents
What is DEET?
DEET, or N,Ndiethylmtoluamide, is a widely recognized insect repellent ingredient recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. Alongside DEET, other recommended repellents include Icaridin, BAAPE (pyrethroids), and OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus). However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises only DEET and Icaridin as safe for children.
To make our article today more straightforward, we will focus on the potential side effects of DEET on dogs, as it is the most commonly used ingredient in insect repellents.
Why is DEET a topic of concern? Developed by the U.S. military in 1945 for use in the field, DEET was not introduced to the civilian market until 1957. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 40% of Americans opt for DEETcontaining repellents each year. This makes DEET a more prevalent ingredient that dogs may come into contact with compared to other repellents.
How Dogs Can Be Exposed to DEET:
Similar to the essential oils mentioned in our previous article, dogs can come into contact with DEET through their skin, eyes, and mouth, leading to poisoning symptoms.
Each DEETcontaining insect repellent product will label its concentration, ranging from 10% to 90%. The higher the concentration, the better the repellent's effectiveness and the longerlasting protection it offers. While DEET is harmless to humans, the higher the concentration, the more dangerous it can be for dogs.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has received numerous reports of DEET poisoning in cats and dogs since 2011. The most common symptoms in dogs are vomiting, while cats often exhibit tremors.
If DEET gets into a dog's eyes, it can cause conjunctivitis, scleritis, corneal ulcers, and drowsiness. In such cases, it is crucial to rinse the eyes with sterile saline solution for at least 30 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
Inhalation of DEET can lead to respiratory distress and tracheitis. If this occurs, it is essential to seek immediate veterinary care, as professional rescue equipment may be required.
If a dog is exposed to DEETladen air, such as when a mosquito repellent spray is used nearby, it may experience gastrointestinal discomfort. If exposed to concentrations above 80%, dogs may exhibit symptoms like ataxia, disorientation, tremors, and seizures. In these cases, veterinary care is also necessary.
Metabolism:
Some may argue that as long as dogs do not show severe reactions, it is not a concern. However, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center has found that after ingestion, DEET is metabolized in a dog's liver and excreted through urine, with approximately 60% being eliminated within 24 hours. Feces almost never excrete DEET.
In other words, DEET not only causes various side effects but can also harm internal organs and remain in the body.
What Insect Repellents Are Safe for Dogs?
In short, only insect repellents labeled as "nontoxic to animals" are safe to use. However, finding these products in China can be challenging.
