My human loves summer… but she’s not fond of the mosquitos that haunt her this time of year! They are attracted to certain blood types more than others, and unfortunately her blood type is one that they love. Whenever she takes me out in the early evening, she is almost guaranteed to get bitten.
Since she so often has me along when she is outside around the house, she can’t put on any chemical solution that might be harmful to me. And so many mosquito repellents out there are highly toxic for cats. So finally she decided to search for a solution. Here’s what she found — maybe some of these suggestions will work for you.
First, However: Mosquito Repellents to Avoid Around Your Cat
DEET, also known as diethyltoluamide
This is a common insect repellent, but never put it on your skin and then pick up your cat. My human holds me so much that she can’t ever use this for fear of making me ill. If your cat accidentally ingests DEET and shows signs of depression, tremors, hyper salivation, vomiting, or worse, seizures, take her to the vet immediately!
Permethrin
Another repellent, which is sometimes sold under the brand name Nix. It can be sprayed on clothes and camping gear or used as a clothing treatment — but don’t, if you are going to be near your cat. According to the International Cat Care site, Permethrin poisoning is one of the most common for cats worldwide, probably because it is a frequent ingredient in spot-on flea treatment for dogs, and people mistakenly use it on their cats. Symptoms of Permethrin poisoning include tremors, drooling, sensitivity to touch, and seizures, and it can be life threatening.
Mosquito Repellents That Are Safer to Use Around Your Cat
Mosquito Repellents Specifically Made for Cats – You Can Use Them Too!
There are a handful out there because, yes, cats get bitten by mosquitos too. And they may also work for their humans. But make sure they are specifically formulated for cats, not primarily for dogs. Dogs and cats have different sensitivities to toxic substances (see Permethrin above). So what works for dogs may harm cats. Even repellents for dogs that are called “natural” may contain ingredients that are poisonous to cats, especially essential oils. So read the labels carefully and avoid ones that contain things like peppermint or eucalyptus oil.
Cat friendly mosquito repellents may need to be applied on human skin more often than the usual chemical stuff, but at least it is safe for your cat. Keep in mind that some cats are extra sensitive to substances that wouldn’t bother other cats, so always keep an eye on your cat’s reaction to anything you haven’t tried before.
Avon Skin So Soft
This skin softener has long been touted as a mosquito repellent (they hate the smell), and it won’t harm your cat.
Bug Zappers and Ultrasonic Pest Repellents
If you don’t want anything on your skin, or you want to supplement what you have already put on, keep a bug zapper nearby. Or you can try an ultrasonic pest repellent. The sound they emit does bother bunnies and rodents (also some reptiles), but they don’t disturb cats or dogs.
Mosquito netting and mosquito repellent clothes
Although your neighbors make give you the side eye, a hat with mosquito netting is a safe way to keep the little critters off you without chemicals.
There are also certain clothing colors that mosquitos avoid. If you want to know what they love, it is black, which is my human’s favorite clothing color! Dark colors in general tend to attract mosquitos. She would be much better off wearing softer colors like khaki, beige, and even a light gray.
Catnip
Yes, mosquitos hate catnip. Lucky for us cats! This has not been tested, but if your human wants to rub fresh catnip all over her skin, it’s worth a try! At the very least it will be a cat attractant.
If you have a green thumb, basil, rosemary and lemon balm also repel mosquitos. If you are prone to getting bitten, they are good to have in your garden… alongside the catnip, of course.
As you can see, you have lots of options to repel mosquitos and still be able to pet and hold your cat without worrying about harming her. Have you tried any of them, or are you planning to? Let me know in the comments!
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Is Catnip a Mosquito Repellant? Wow!
- 7 Household Items Dangerous to Cats
- Unusual Household Items that are Poisonous to Your Cat


Good information to know, Summer! Mosquitoes like me too.
Good ideas! I do put out planters full of all those plants on my patio each spring…and catnip grows rather wild here…it took over some areas…MOL!
LadyMew used to use Avon Skinnysosoft shee meowed to mee!
An shee has rubbed catnip on herself when shee used to walk ‘angel’ Unkell Siddhartha!! An then shee tried Vick’s Vapo Rub an fore sum weerd reeson it werkss so shee can sit out with mee!! Maybee iss time to plant sum thyme thp’??? Mew mew mew ….
***purrss*** BellaDharma an <3 LadyMew
Thanks so much Summer. I knew most of this but not the herb stuff. I’m one of those the little vempires love
Great post. When the peeps had a garden, they would get bitten. They LOVE Pop cos he eats bananas and they also love bananas. TW used to use Neem when there was a mosquito in the house so it wouldn’t keep her awake. Nicky used to sleep with her but never licked it. She thinks Neem is ok for cats but will re-look it up.
This is such important information, and really something I’ve never given much thought to. I always loved the scent of Avon Skin So Soft.
Hmmm. I didn’t know any of this. Good to know.
Thank you so much for the informative post, Summer! I knew about the harmful repellents but I had no idea that mosquitos hate catnip! I think I should rub catnip all over my mom!
very helpful… our way to avoid getting bit is to never go outside.
I avoid outside, especially at night, but next week is a meteor shower so I will try the catnip. 🙂
Mosquitoes love me, too. Sadly, none of the safe solutions you offered every worked for me, so I make sure that when I have to use the “bad stuff,” I wash it all off before I touch Allegra.
Great post! Really appreciate the information.
Thank you Summer for the important information in this article.
Great advice, Summer!
That was interesting sweet Summer, catnip all around!
We have a huge rosemary plant (no thanks to Mom’s black thumb) and we used to have citronella plants outside too.
The Florida Furkids
Mum does not like mosquitos either .
Those are some good suggestions too 🙂
Purrs, Julie