NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs – Natural Plant-Powered Insect Defense
NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs (Item SKU: N4307) is a gentle, botanical outdoor spray made to shield your dog from biting fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Instead of relying on harsh synthetic chemicals, this clean formula uses a veterinarian-recommended blend of six pure essential oils—geranium, lemongrass, peppermint, cinnamon cassia, cedarwood, and thyme—emulsified in pure water and skin-softening almond oil. By creating a natural scent shield that confuses and repels pests on contact, it keeps your four-legged family member happy and comfortable on walks, hikes, and backyard play sessions.
✓Primary Target: Targets invertebrate pest nervous systems (octopamine receptors) and jams the sensory receptors ticks and fleas use to detect your dog's body heat and breathing.
✓Supply & Value Math: Packaged in an easy-to-use spray bottle that provides weeks of outdoor adventure protection at a fraction of the cost of monthly chemical topicals.
✓Formulation Purity: 100% free of DEET, synthetic pesticides, pyrethrins, permethrins, artificial colors, and fake fragrances; bottled in an eco-friendly 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin bottle.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing Safe Botanical Defense Over Harsh Chemicals
Many conventional flea and tick sprays sold at big box retail stores rely on synthetic neurotoxins such as pyrethrins, permethrins, or artificial organophosphates. While these commercial chemicals kill bugs, they can also cause skin redness, hair loss, and toxic stress in sensitive dogs. NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray uses pure, cold-pressed and steam-distilled botanical oils that naturally bother insects while staying safe and soothing for your dog's skin and coat [1, 2].
✓ Ideal For Dogs & Pet Parents Who:
✓ Walk, jog, or camp in tall grasses, leaf piles, dog parks, or wooded trails where ticks and fleas wait.
✓ Want to avoid greasy chemical neck-drops, synthetic pesticide collars, and artificial scents.
✓ Prefer a clean, water-based spray made by an established, family-owned company with verified lab testing.
✗ Consider Another Option If:
✗Your pet is a cat: This spray is formulated strictly for dogs only. Cats lack a vital liver enzyme needed to safely break down certain essential oils.
✗Your puppy is under 12 weeks old or your dog is pregnant: Young puppies and nursing mothers have delicate systems and should not use topical essential oil sprays.
✗You are dealing with an established in-home flea infestation: This is a topical outdoor repellent spray, not an indoor carpet or furniture extermination treatment.
Risk-Free Shopping Assurance: Every purchase at VitaNet®, LLC is backed by our unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—even on opened bottles, and we even pay the return shipping costs—so you can test this spray on your dog completely worry-free!
How Botanical Oils Work: The Science Behind Natural Bug Defense
How can simple plant oils keep aggressive pests off your dog without synthetic poisons? In nature, plants produce aromatic essential oils as their own built-in defense mechanism against insects. When these pure oils are combined in exact ratios, they protect your pet through two proven biological pathways:
1. Jamming the Bug's Scent Radar (Olfactory Masking)
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes do not see like humans do. Instead, they hunt by sensing warm body heat and tracking invisible clouds of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by your dog [3]. Ticks possess specialized sensory organs on their front legs (called Haller’s organs) that act like chemical antennas. The fragrant vapors of Geranium Oil (rich in natural geraniol) and Lemongrass Oil (rich in citral) quickly fill the air around your dog's fur [1, 3]. This aromatic cloud blocks the pest’s sensory antennas, effectively blinding their radar and preventing them from finding your pet [3].
Insects and arachnids have a vital neurochemical messenger called octopamine, which controls their heart rate, movement, and behavior [1]. Active botanical molecules—such as menthol from Peppermint, cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamon Cassia, and thymol from Thyme—bind directly to these octopamine receptor sites [1, 2]. When a flea or tick lands on treated fur, these plant compounds trigger a hyperactive sensory avoidance reflex that forces the pest to drop off immediately [1]. Because mammals (including dogs and humans) do not have octopamine receptors, these botanical ingredients provide targeted pest deterrence without harming your pet’s nervous system [1, 4].
3. Natural Cuticle Disruption
Cedarwood Oil contains natural aromatic terpenes that dissolve the delicate waxy outer protective layer (the cuticle) found on the bodies of crawling bugs [5]. Without this moisture barrier, insects rapidly lose water and avoid the treated area altogether [5].
Scientific Literature & Authority References:
Enan, E. E. (2001). Insecticidal activity of essential oils: octopaminergic sites of action. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 130(3), 325–337.
Enan, E. E. (2005). Molecular response of insect tyramine and octopamine receptors to plant essential oils. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 35(4), 309–321.
Tabari, M. A., et al. (2017). Comparative tickicidal and repellent activities of natural plant essential oils against brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Veterinary Parasitology, 245, 107–113.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2015). Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration: 40 CFR § 152.25(f).
George, D. R., et al. (2014). Present and future potential of plant-derived products to control arthropods of veterinary significance. Parasites & Vectors, 7, 28.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Directions, Timing & What to Expect
Applying NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray correctly makes all the difference in keeping your dog protected outdoors. Follow these practical steps before heading out for a walk or run:
Application Steps for Maximum Shielding
✓1. Shake Vigorously: Pure essential oils and purified water (H2O) naturally separate when resting. Always shake the bottle well before each use to blend the active oils evenly.
✓2. Spray Against the Fur Grain: Hold the sprayer 6 to 8 inches away from your dog. Gently brush your dog’s coat backwards with one hand while misting with the other so the spray reaches down through the fur toward the skin.
✓3. Target Vulnerable Landing Zones: Pay special attention to your dog's legs, paws, underbelly, chest, and around the base of the tail where ticks love to crawl up from grass stems.
✓4. Protect the Face & Eyes: Never spray directly into your dog's face! Instead, spray a small amount onto your own clean hands and gently rub it onto your dog's neck, outer ears, and muzzle, keeping completely clear of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
✓5. Reapplication Timing: For regular outdoor defense, reapply every 2 to 3 days, or right before exploring heavily wooded or tick-infested fields. If your dog goes swimming or gets caught in heavy rain, reapply once their coat is dry.
Timeline of Results
First 15 Minutes
The spray dries cleanly on your dog's fur, creating an immediate aromatic vapor shield that repels flying mosquitoes and prevents ticks and fleas from latching on.
Weeks 1 to 4
Consistent protection during daily walks, outdoor dog park visits, and backyard playtime without exposing your family or home to synthetic chemical residues.
Months 2 to 3+
Reliable seasonal pest defense throughout the spring, summer, and fall tick seasons, keeping your pet active, fresh-smelling, and comfortable.
Many pet owners dread chemical sprays because of foul odors, sticky residues, and harsh alcohol bases. NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray was created specifically for a pleasant, comfortable experience for both you and your pet:
Sensory Profile & Coat Feel
This formula comes in a non-aerosol, ergonomic spray bottle that produces a soft, quiet mist that won't startle nervous dogs. It carries a fresh, uplifting herbal-spice scent dominated by crisp peppermint, warm cinnamon, and zesty lemongrass. Because it is water-based with light almond oil, it absorbs quickly and leaves zero sticky residue, greasy film, or heavy buildup on your dog's coat.
Every Inactive Ingredient Explained in Plain English
✓Purified Water (Aqua): The clean, non-toxic liquid base that safely dilutes the pure essential oils to optimal levels for canine skin comfort.
✓Almond Oil: A gentle, nutrient-rich plant oil that naturally disperses the botanical oils and conditions your dog's coat to keep it soft and shiny.
✓Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate: A gentle, food-grade mineral salt that acts as a pH buffer to keep the spray perfectly balanced for dog skin.
✓Potassium Sorbate: A safe, food-grade preservative that prevents bacteria, yeast, and mold from forming in the bottle over time.
✓Citric Acid: A natural, citrus-derived fruit acid used to maintain a skin-friendly pH balance and ensure long-term shelf stability.
Eco-Friendly Packaging & Storage
The durable bottle is made from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin, supporting a cleaner planet. Store the bottle upright at room temperature in a dry cupboard or entryway closet away from extreme heat and direct sunlight to protect the active botanical terpenes.
Many discount pet sprays found in big box stores are mass-blended with cheap raw materials that may contain heavy metals, leftover chemical solvents, or synthetic pesticides. NOW Foods operates multi-million dollar, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories, conducting over 31,000 in-house laboratory tests every month to protect your pet:
✓Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Every botanical oil is chemically fingerprinted to verify 100% botanical authenticity and confirm zero synthetic fragrance adulteration.
✓ICP-MS Heavy Metal Testing: Screens for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury down to parts-per-billion (ppb) limits to ensure purity for topical pet use.
✓Zero-Tolerance Pesticide Testing: Analyzed via LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS to guarantee the formula is completely free from DEET, synthetic pyrethrins, permethrins, and agricultural residues.
✓Microbiological Pathogen Safety: Every batch is tested to confirm complete absence of harmful bacteria, yeast, mold, and pathogens.
Why Choose VitaNet®, LLC? Trusted Natural Health Since 1995
Where you buy your pet supplements and sprays matters just as much as the brand you choose. Founded in 1995, VitaNet®, LLC is an independent, family-owned natural health company with over 31 years of dedicated experience in human biochemistry, pet wellness, and authentic product curation.
✓Climate-Controlled Warehouse: We store all products in temperature-regulated facilities so essential oils never degrade in hot warehouses.
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: If this spray is not a perfect fit for your dog, we will refund your purchase and pay the return shipping costs—even on opened bottles!
✓BBB A+ Accredited Retailer: Dedicated to transparent, ethical business practices for over three decades.
✓Real Human Support: Contact our friendly team directly at (330) 877-8786 or 1-800-877-8702, or visit our retail storefront at 887 Edison St NW, Hartville, OH 44632.
Regulatory & First Aid Notices:
• EPA Exemption Notice: This product has not been registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. NOW Foods represents that this product qualifies for exemption from registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 25(b) as a minimum-risk pest control product.
• Caution & Safety: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. For use on dogs only. Not intended for puppies under 12 weeks or pregnant dogs. Causes eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children and animals. If signs of sensitivity occur, bathe your pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water; consult a veterinarian immediately.
• First Aid: If product comes in contact with eyes, hold eye open and gently flush with water for 15 minutes. If repellent contacts a contact lens, remove contact after 5 minutes of flushing eye with water and finish with an additional 10 minutes of flushing. Call a physician for advice. If spray is inhaled, get fresh air immediately. If liquid is ingested, do not induce vomiting unless directed by a physician; drink plenty of liquids and call a poison control center immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this flea and tick spray on my cat?
No. This spray is formulated strictly for dogs only. Cats have a unique liver metabolism and lack a vital enzyme (called glucuronyl transferase) required to safely break down certain essential oils, such as peppermint and thyme. Never apply this product or any dog-specific essential oil spray to cats.
How often should I reapply NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray on my dog?
For routine everyday defense, reapply every 2 to 3 days. If you are taking your dog on an outdoor adventure through tall brush, leaf piles, or wooded hiking trails where ticks are common, mist your dog right before leaving. If your dog goes swimming or gets bathed, reapply once their fur has dried completely.
Can this spray be used on young puppies or pregnant dogs?
No. According to manufacturer guidelines, this product is not intended for puppies under 12 weeks of age or dogs that are pregnant or nursing. Puppies younger than 12 weeks have sensitive developing skin and respiratory systems and should be groomed with warm water and a flea comb rather than topical repellent sprays.
What should I do if my dog licks its fur after being sprayed?
The spray is made from food-grade botanical oils diluted in pure water and almond oil. While small licks after drying are not dangerous, licking wet spray may cause mild drooling or temporary mouth irritation due to the natural peppermint and cinnamon oils. To prevent this, distract your dog with a walk, game, or favorite toy for 10 to 15 minutes after spraying so the mist can dry completely into the coat.
How does this botanical spray compare to chemical spot-on drops and collars?
Conventional spot-on drops and collars use synthetic chemical neurotoxins (such as fipronil, permethrin, or imidacloprid) that absorb into your dog's skin oils to kill pests after they bite. In contrast, NOW Pets Flea and Tick Spray uses pure, non-toxic botanical oils that work as an aromatic shield to deter pests from landing or biting in the first place, completely free of synthetic pesticides and artificial chemicals.
