How to Get Rid of Flies on Your Dog

Quick answer

• Use a veterinarian-approved fly spray or wipe specifically for dogs.
• Keep your dog’s living area clean and free of food scraps.
• Manage outdoor attractants like garbage cans and pet waste.
• Consider natural repellents if your dog is sensitive.
• Consult your vet if the fly problem is severe or causing skin issues.
• Keep your dog’s coat groomed and free of mats.

What to check first (do this before you drive out)

Before you head out for a camping trip with your canine companion, or even just to your backyard, it’s smart to get ahead of the fly game. A little prep goes a long way to keeping your dog happy and bite-free.

• Know Your Land Manager & Legality: Is this public land managed by the US Forest Service, BLM, or a state park? Or is it private property? Rules about pets, where they can roam, and what products you can use can vary wildly. Always check the official website or call the ranger station. This avoids any awkward run-ins.

• Access/Road Conditions: For camping, is the road to your site a paved highway or a rutted dirt track? Does it require 4WD? Are there any recent reports of washouts or deep mud? Knowing this beforehand saves you from getting stuck and keeps your dog from having a stressful ride.

• Fire Restrictions + Weather + Wind: This is crucial for safety and comfort. Check current fire restrictions – you don’t want to be the reason for a wildfire. Look at the forecast for rain, extreme heat, or high winds. Strong winds can make fly spray less effective and generally make your dog uncomfortable.

• Water Plan + Waste Plan (Leave No Trace): Bring enough water for both you and your dog. For flies, a good waste plan is key. Pack out all pet waste. Leaving it behind is a major fly attractant and frankly, just bad etiquette. This is fundamental to Leave No Trace.

• Safety (Wildlife, Distance to Help, Comms): Are there any local wildlife concerns? Know what to do if you encounter them. How far is the nearest vet or human help? Do you have reliable cell service or a satellite communicator? Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for tick-borne diseases, which can sometimes be a secondary concern with fly activity.

Step-by-step (field workflow)

Here’s how to tackle fly issues with your dog, whether you’re at home or out in the sticks.

1. Assess the Situation:

• What to do: Observe where and when flies are bothering your dog the most. Are they congregating around the ears, eyes, or wounds?
• What “good” looks like: You can identify the primary areas of fly activity and understand the general level of nuisance.
• Common mistake: Assuming all flies are the same or that it’s just a minor annoyance. This can lead to ignoring a problem that could become serious.

2. Identify the Fly Type (if possible):

• What to do: Try to get a general idea of what kind of flies you’re dealing with – biting flies, house flies, etc. This helps determine the best approach.
• What “good” looks like: You have a sense of whether they are biting flies causing pain or nuisance flies.
• Common mistake: Not considering the type of fly, which can lead to using ineffective methods. For example, a spray for nuisance flies might not deter biting stable flies.

3. Consult Your Vet (Proactive Step):

• What to do: Before resorting to products, talk to your veterinarian. They can recommend safe and effective fly repellents and treatments specifically for dogs, considering your dog’s age, breed, and any health conditions.
• What “good” looks like: You have a veterinarian’s recommendation for a specific product or strategy.
• Common mistake: Using human insect repellents or unapproved products on your dog, which can be toxic.

4. Choose a Repellent/Treatment:

• What to do: Select a product approved by your vet. This could be a spray, wipe, spot-on treatment, or even a collar.
• What “good” looks like: You have a safe, veterinarian-approved product in hand.
• Common mistake: Grabbing the first thing off the shelf without checking if it’s dog-specific or vet-approved.

When choosing a repellent, consider a veterinarian-approved dog fly repellent spray for effective and safe protection.

5. Apply the Product Correctly:

• What to do: Follow the product instructions precisely. For sprays, avoid the eyes and mouth. For spot-ons, apply to areas the dog can’t lick.
• What “good” looks like: The product is applied evenly and safely, covering the areas most targeted by flies.
• Common mistake: Over-applying or under-applying the product, or missing key areas like the ears and belly.

6. Clean Your Dog’s Environment:

• What to do: If flies are a problem at home or at a campsite, clean up any potential attractants. This includes food scraps, spilled water, and especially pet waste.
• What “good” looks like: The immediate area around your dog is clean and free of fly magnets.
• Common mistake: Focusing only on the dog and ignoring the source of the fly population.

7. Manage Outdoor Attractants:

• What to do: Keep garbage cans sealed. If camping, store food securely. Consider fly traps for the general area, but keep them away from your dog.
• What “good” looks like: You’ve reduced the overall fly population in the vicinity of your dog.
• Common mistake: Thinking that just treating the dog will solve the problem when the environment is teeming with flies.

8. Groom Your Dog:

• What to do: Brush your dog regularly. Remove any mats or tangles, especially around the ears, tail, and hindquarters, as these can trap moisture and attract flies.
• What “good” looks like: Your dog’s coat is clean, brushed, and free of debris or mats.
• Common mistake: Neglecting grooming, which can create an ideal environment for flies and skin irritation.

9. Monitor for Skin Issues:

• What to do: Keep an eye on your dog’s skin for any signs of irritation, redness, sores, or infections caused by fly bites.
• What “good” looks like: You’re catching any fly-related skin problems early.
• Common mistake: Not checking for skin damage, which can lead to secondary infections that are harder to treat.

10. Reapply as Needed:

• What to do: Reapply fly repellent according to product instructions and the level of fly activity.
• What “good” looks like: Your dog remains protected during periods of high fly presence.
• Common mistake: Assuming a single application will last indefinitely, especially in challenging environments.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using human insect repellent on dogs	Toxic reactions, skin irritation, neurological issues.	Always use products specifically formulated and approved for dogs. Consult your vet.
Ignoring open wounds or skin irritations	Fly strike, secondary infections, severe pain, potential tissue damage.	Clean wounds immediately, apply vet-approved treatments, and keep flies away from the area.
Not cleaning up pet waste promptly	Attracts flies, creates a breeding ground, spreads disease.	Bag and dispose of waste immediately. This is a core Leave No Trace principle.
Over-applying fly spray	Skin irritation, potential for absorption into the bloodstream, eye damage.	Follow product instructions for dosage and application areas. Avoid eyes, mouth, and genitals.
Relying solely on fly spray without environmental control	Flies keep coming back because their breeding grounds are still present.	Clean up attractants like food, garbage, and waste. Use traps if necessary.
Not checking for fly activity before camping	Arriving unprepared, leading to a miserable trip for you and your dog.	Research local fly seasons and conditions. Pack appropriate repellents and protective gear.
Forgetting to reapply repellent	Dog becomes vulnerable to bites again, potentially leading to irritation.	Reapply as directed by the product, especially after swimming or heavy sweating.
Using essential oils without vet approval	Some oils are toxic to dogs, causing liver damage or neurological problems.	Always confirm with your vet before using any natural remedies or essential oils.
Letting flies congregate around eyes/ears	Corneal damage, eye infections, ear infections, severe discomfort.	Use vet-approved wipes or sprays specifically for the face and ears. Apply with care.
Assuming a “natural” product is always safe	Some natural ingredients can still be harmful or ineffective for dogs.	Verify “natural” products with your vet. Look for specific dog formulations.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your dog is scratching excessively and you see flies, then apply a vet-approved fly spray because constant itching indicates discomfort and potential skin damage.
• If you are camping near standing water or a marsh, then be extra vigilant about fly repellent and cleaning up waste because these areas are prime fly breeding grounds.
• If you notice flies congregating around an open sore on your dog, then clean the wound and apply a protective barrier (like a vet-approved ointment or spray) because flies can spread bacteria and lay eggs in wounds.
• If your dog has sensitive skin or allergies, then consult your vet for hypoallergenic fly control options because standard products might cause adverse reactions.
• If fly activity is extremely high and persistent, then consider using a combination of topical repellents and environmental controls (like traps) because a multi-pronged approach is often more effective.
• If you see flies landing on your dog’s eyes or muzzle, then use a fly wipe or a very fine mist spray specifically designed for the head area because direct spray into the eyes is harmful.
• If your dog is a breed with floppy ears or deep ear canals, then pay extra attention to applying repellent around the ears and inside the outer ear flap because these areas can trap moisture and attract flies.
• If you’re traveling to a new area for camping, then research common pests and fly seasons for that region beforehand because prevention is always better than reaction.
• If your dog seems distressed or is showing signs of a fly-related illness (lethargy, fever), then contact your veterinarian immediately because this could indicate a more serious problem like fly strike or an infection.
• If you are using a fly trap, then place it well away from your dog’s resting and eating areas because you don’t want to attract more flies to your dog.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the same bug spray I use for myself on my dog?

A: Absolutely not. Human insect repellents often contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs. Always use products specifically made for canines.

Q: How often should I reapply fly spray to my dog?

A: Follow the product’s instructions, but generally, reapply every few hours, especially if your dog has been swimming, sweating, or the fly activity is very high.

Q: What are the signs of fly strike on a dog?

A: Look for excessive licking, redness, swelling, sores, or maggots on the skin, particularly in areas with open wounds or soiled fur. It’s a serious condition.

Q: Are there natural ways to deter flies from my dog?

A: Some people use diluted apple cider vinegar rinses or certain essential oils (like citronella, but only with vet approval and heavily diluted), but always confirm safety with your vet first.

Q: My dog keeps shaking its head. Could flies be the cause?

A: Yes, flies bothering the ears can cause dogs to shake their heads. It can also indicate an ear infection, so it’s worth checking for flies and consulting your vet.

Q: What should I do if my dog has open wounds that flies are attracted to?

A: Clean the wound thoroughly and apply a vet-approved antiseptic. Then, use a fly repellent specifically safe for wounds or cover it if possible, and keep the area clean.

Q: How can I protect my dog’s face from flies?

A: Use gentle fly wipes or a very fine mist spray designed for the face. Apply carefully, avoiding direct contact with the eyes. Some dogs benefit from fly masks designed for canines.

For protecting your dog’s face, especially around the eyes and muzzle, a dog fly mask or bonnet can be a great solution.

Q: Is it safe to use fly traps around my dog?

A: Yes, as long as the traps are placed far away from your dog’s living area and food/water. You don’t want to lure flies directly to where your dog spends time.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed identification of specific fly species and their life cycles.
• Prescription medications or advanced veterinary treatments for severe fly-related skin conditions.
• DIY homemade fly traps or repellents beyond general principles.
• Specific campsite regulations for individual national parks or forests.
• Information on other common outdoor pests like ticks, mosquitoes, or fleas.