A Dog Photographer's Tried-n-True Natural Tick Repellent Recommendation

Maizy approved!

Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs in Chester County PA and anywhere really! What’s Worked for Us (and What Hasn’t)

If you spend any amount of time outside with your dogs—you know that ticks are everywhere. Whether your dog is a hiking buddy, a sunbather or loves a good walk at the park, ticks are a real concern for our dogs (and us!).

I’ve spent years reading up on natural tick repellents for my own dogs. While I’m not a vet, and this isn’t medical advice, heck it’s not even scientific advice, I want to share what’s worked for us and the recommendations of a local natural pharmacy when it comes to keeping these unfortunate little buggers off our dogs and ourselves. And of course, if you are a pet parent, you must know that anytime you plan to try something new, the general recommendation will always be to consult your veterinarian.

What’s Worked for Us

1. Natural Sprays: One of BarkHop Studio’s Go-To!

I had a great chat with Jamie, the resident animal expert at Lionville Natural Pharmacy. She recommended Nantucket Spider for Dogs—a spray she uses on herself and her dogs. It contains cedarwood, geranium, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme oils. She suggests applying it to a bandana or a small, non-lickable area and reapplying every 1–2 hours during high-risk activities. She’s noticed ticks on her dog, but they haven’t bitten in a long time. After catching up with Jamie, I bought a couple of bottles- the dog safe and the one for humans (this one has cloves). My whole family, dogs included, use the sprays when we're going to be outside to fend off ticks, mosquitoes and those particularly annoying gah-nats (aka. gnats) and both have proven to be pretty effective! I spray a bit on my hand and then give them a good scratch behind the ears to be sure the smell is near the part of them most susceptible to hitchhikers- right above their eyebrows and on their heads.

2. Essential Oils: Let's hear it for geranium and rosemary oils!

My personal go-to tick deterrent has always been essential oils. While I have found that applying a drop of Fabulous Frannie's geranium oil to my dogs’ collars before outings seems to help keep ticks at bay, I've also tried rosemary and lavender oils and while I'm also not a scientist, I'm pretty sure all work well to deter ticks from even stepping foot near us. The oils also leave my pups smelling lovely and though Muddy seems a little off put by the smell, he appears to be oblivious once he’s out the door and adventuring.

What Hasn’t Worked (or what Jamie suggests we avoid)

1. Garlic Supplements- we (I know I may be speaking for myself) love garlic but should our dogs?

During my conversation with Jamie at the natural pharmacy, she shared a bit more about the belief that garlic can repel ticks and fleas when fed to dogs. According to Jamie's research, garlic contains compounds that can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. While some sources suggest small doses might be safe, I prefer to err on the side of caution and avoid it. I’m on the same page as Jamie with this one! But if you’d like more information, stop by the Lionville Natural Pharmacy to chat about it!

2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Supplements- not tried and true over at BarkHop Studio but the natural pharmacy has given it a whirl

Some dog owners use Vitamin B1 to repel insects, believing it changes the dog’s scent. However, studies have shown limited effectiveness. Jamie from Lionville Natural Pharmacy mentioned she didn’t notice a difference when using it with her dogs. And I cannot attest to it from the BarkHop standpoint.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)- Cue the research because I have not tried this at home!

I have read the ACVis a bit controversial. Some dog parents add a teaspoon to their dog’s water to change their scent, making them less appealing to ticks and fleas. Others create a spray by mixing equal parts ACV and water, applying it before walks. While some anecdotal evidence supports its use, scientific studies are limited. This is not a preventative I can attest to- I have definitely not tried this for my dogs- I just don't want to take the chance that adding anything to their water will upset their stomachs. And, with the heat this summer, my dogs are just getting cold, fresh water to keep them hydrated!

A Note on Cats

One of the side conversations Jamie and I had gravitated towards cats and the fact that they have different sensitivities than dogs. Cats are particularly sensitive to essential oils. Oils like citrus, wintergreen, anise, garlic, clove, and yarrow are known to be toxic to them. Even oils considered safe for dogs can be harmful to cats. I’d definitely suggest consulting your vet before using any essential oil products around cats.

Final Thoughts

Natural tick prevention requires diligence and a bit of trial and error. What works for one dog might not work for another. Always monitor your pet for any adverse reactions and consult your veterinarian with concerns or to talk about a new tick deterrent or prevention. And ALWAYS check your dogs for ticks when you come back inside!!

If you have natural methods that have worked for you, I’d love to hear about them!

Visit Nantucket Spider for more information on their natural outdoor products.

Visit Fabulous Frannie's to check out their lovely geranium oil and other essential oils.

I tend to go with Aura Cacia for our rosemary and lavender oils.

Visit our local gem of a pharmacy, Lionville Natural Pharmacy and ask for Jamie to hear all of her insight on the best natural remedies for our pets when it comes to repelling ticks.

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Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs in Chester County: What Dog Parents Should Know