Do Midges Bite Dogs?

[Charlie]

Charlie is rubbing his face on the rug and seems to be scratching since we arrived in Scotland. There are a lot of midges so I wondered do they bite dogs? xx

 

[kateincornwall]

I think they do Helen , certainly horseflies bite dogs because both Reuben and I got bitten by the damn things . I read that you can make, or buy , a citronella spray to help deter all biting insects , for humans and dogs alike so it might be worth a try x

 

[Charlie]

Thanks Kate. It's odd as Hattie is fine. I will look for some spray and candles. xx

 

[Jacqui-S]

They definitely do.
Been quiet for midges on the West Coast so far.
They are only just hatching says my SNH friend.
Good luck!

 

[Charlie]

Thanks Jacqui think we going to need it, pesky bloody things!! x

 

[Cupcase]

Avon skin so soft the original one. I've found this is better than the mossy sprays. Citronella burned in candles helps.
I'm on south West coast Scotland and the midges are not bad ( touch wood) at the minute but some areas are worse than others.
My dogs have never seem bothered by them, thankfully.

 

[Oberon]

It may be an allergy of some other kind, not a reaction to bites. If he doesn’t improve a vet visit for an assessment and some medication might be in order...it is miserable to be itchy.

 

[Charlie]

I will keep an eye on him @Oberon just seems a bit of a coincidence that we've just arrived and he's scratching. Although he is flat out and fine just now xx

 

[Cath]

Poor lad

 

[Oberon]

It could be an allergen (eg pollen, plant moulds) that’s just in that local area, which would explain why it’s come on suddenly.

Insect bites can cause itchiness but it’s not the only possibility.

Some years ago my hubby and I visited Edinburgh in the autumn and he was suddenly afflicted with a major allergic reaction (eyes streaming, sneezing, coughing, headaches). As soon as we left the Edinburgh area he was fine. It was something in the air, just in that area.

When affected in the same way by airborne allergens dogs don’t get respiratory symptoms, they get itchy and red skin and eyes.

 

[Charlie]

Crikey Rachael, thanks for the information, I just automatically thought midges as there are a lot. He seems fine right now no scratching, his eyes are fine and no redness. If anything changes I can pop him to the local vet that we will be registering with anyway. I appreciate the information so does Charlie!! xx

 

[Oberon]

Glad he’s stopped scratching Hope it was a temporary thing.