Midge Season and Your Dog: A Highland Survival Guide
If you've spent a still summer evening anywhere in the Highlands, you'll know our tiniest local resident all too well. The Scottish midge is out in force right now, and while we humans reach for the hood and the repellent, it's worth a thought for our four-legged friends too.
Here's a friendly guide to getting your dog through midge season comfortably.
When are midges at their worst?
Midge season runs from around late May to early September, with the real peak in July and August. The good news is they're fairly predictable:
- They love still, damp, overcast conditions.
- They're at their worst at dawn and dusk.
- They can't cope with wind (a breeze above roughly 6mph grounds them) or bright, hot sunshine.
That predictability turns out to be your best friend.
Do midges actually bother dogs?
They can, yes. It's only the female midge that bites, and she isn't fussy. Midges will happily feed on deer, cattle, sheep and, of course, dogs. Your dog's coat protects most of them, but the thinner-furred spots are fair game: the belly, the groin, the ears, and around the muzzle.
Most dogs shrug it off, but some are more sensitive and may nibble or scratch at bitten areas, or come up in little bumps. It's usually mild and settles on its own, but keep an eye on any dog that seems really irritated.
Simple ways to keep your dog comfortable
You don't need anything fancy. A few sensible habits make all the difference:
- Time it right. In peak season, walk in the middle of the day rather than dawn or dusk, when midges are quietest.
- Head for the breeze. Open, sunny, exposed routes (a bit of wind off the water or up on higher ground) are far kinder than a still, boggy wood at dusk. It's exactly the kind of thing we factor in when we're planning walks.
- Keep moving. Midges swarm around things that stand still, so a dog on the go is a harder target than one lingering in a damp spot.
- Check and soothe afterwards. A quick look over the ears and belly after a walk, and a cool, damp cloth on any grumpy patches, goes a long way.
A word on repellents (please be careful)
This is the important bit. Never use human midge repellent on your dog. Products containing DEET are toxic to dogs and can cause anything from an upset tummy to tremors and seizures. Also try not to let your dog lick your skin or clothing straight after you've sprayed yourself.
Lots of "natural" options aren't safe for dogs either, as many essential oils are surprisingly toxic to them. So the golden rule is simple: if you want to use a repellent on your dog, ask your vet first and only use a product made for dogs. Your vet knows your dog and can point you to something suitable.
The Pawkies bit
Working through Highland summers, we're used to reading the conditions and picking the right route and time for the day, midges included. It's all part of making sure every walk is a happy one, whatever the weather (or the wee beasties) are doing.
Got a dog who could use a walk while you dodge the midges yourself? Book a walk or get in touch for a chat. 🐾