We love camping and backpacking, but sometimes bugs can make the experience uncomfortable. The first time we brought Poppy backpacking with us, the poor girl was attacked by mosquitoes and we had to bring her to the vet because of all the welts on her skin (she had extreme swelling caused by all the insect bites)! We needed to find a solution to ward off the bugs. If your dog takes a Bravecto chew to protect against fleas and ticks, you probably are aware that the medication only works when fleas and ticks bite the dog (it doesn't prevent insects from biting). Once the flea or tick bites and draws blood from the dog, the insect dies from the medication in the dog’s blood. Thus the medication does not protect against diseases like Lyme disease since the insect bites the dog. In addition, Bravecto does not protect against mosquitoes, flies, or ants.
After searching diligently for a solution (including sprays and wearable bug deterrents), we found this Sun and Bug Blocker. Poppy tested this suit on countless backpacking trips over the span of one year before we wrote this review. We are so happy we found a way for her to enjoy the outdoors regardless of the bugs. We love how this suit protects Poppy from bugs without the use of nasty chemicals or poisons. If you get one piece of gear for your dog (besides a collar and leash of course!), we hope it is this!
Product details:
Price: $55-60 (depending on size)
Color: Sand
Available is 10 different sizes (12S-24M). Size guide available here: https://www.hurtta247.com/sun-bug-blocker
Fit: 4/5
For reference, Poppy’s measurements are as follows:
Back length (from withers to base of tail): 21 inches
Chest: 27 inches
Neck: 17.5 inches
We used the size chart listed on Hurtta’s website and purchased the 20M/inches (50M/cm). We found the suit runs true to size. We did notice that the suit fit tighter around Poppy’s chest, so if you have a dog with a broader chest or if you have a dog with a lot of hair, you might think about sizing up or contacting a customer service representative and asking them about sizing. Even with a tighter fit around her chest, Poppy didn’t seem to notice that she was wearing the suit and the suit did not restrict her movement in any way. She seemed to be comfortable and was able to run, hike, and sleep in the suit without issues. The suit fit her well in all other areas.
While we didn’t get this suit for looks, we will say that it is the cutest thing to see a dog in this suit, especially with the hood is lifted over their ears! Poppy always gets a lot of endearing comments from strangers when she is wearing the suit! She looks like an astronaut in it!
Design and Features: 5/5
Some information below was taken directly from Hurtta’s website.
The Sun and Bug Blocker protects against mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks, and UV radiation.
According to Hurtta, they use an Archroma Sanitized and Archroma Rayosan finish that lasts up to 100 finishes. Since I don’t know what this means, I am just going to quote them:
Archroma Sanitized®
- Permethrin-based durable and safe protection for dogs.
- Keeps mosquitoes, ticks and horseflies from landing; reduces stings and bites.
- Accepted by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I-IV.
- Dermatologically tested.
Archroma Rayosan®
- Helps to block the majority of UV rays.
- Provides a UPF of 40.
- Keeps fabric soft and breathable.
- Durable effect
There are 3 drawstrings that can be used to tighten the suit for a custom fit: one drawstring around the hood, one around the neck, and one around the mid-section of the dog.
The hood can be lifted above the dog’s ears for more coverage.
The suit also covers the dog’s legs and under the chest, but is open at the bottom-back so the dog can go to the bathroom.
There is also a slit for the dog’s tail that extends all the way down so the dog can poo.
The suit comes in a handy storage pouch! We love the pouch because it makes it easy to grab and pack her suit when we need it. It also helps to keep her gear organized. We wish all dog gear came with some sort of a storage system!
It is tricky to take the suit on and off. The dog has to remain still as you put their head through the hood and each of their limbs through the arm and leg holes. If your dog doesn’t like to wear gear or clothes, this suit may not work for your pooch. The suit does stretch a little, but the stretch is limited. For future versions, it would be nice if Hurtta added a zipper to make it easier to put on and take off the suit.
Functionality: 5/5
This suit provides your dog with superior protection against fleas, ticks, horse flies (the kind that bite!), and mosquitoes. We saw significantly less mosquitoes and flies landing on Poppy. If a bug did land on the suit, it quickly flew away! Poppy didn’t have a single bite on any areas covered by the suit. We were also pleasantly surprised that it seemed to deter ants. We saw a few ants crawl on her (not sure what kind of ants they were) and then roll right off the suit. While this suit was not made specifically to deter ants, it did also help keep the ants at bay. That was a plus!
Because we purchased this suit specifically for insect protection, we have not tested it for sun protection, but we have noticed that Poppy stays plenty cool when she is wearing it. We haven't noticed her panting with the suit on. We have heard from others that the suit helps keep their dog cool and prevents over-heating, but we cannot comment on this specific function of the suit.
Quality: 5/5
The material is soft and sturdy. The suit held up very well to all the outdoor activities that Poppy has done while wearing it. After a year of wearing the suit, Poppy has not torn the material and all seams and stitching are intact. While Poppy has managed to get the suit dirty, it cleans up very well. We soaked and then hand-washed the suit with natural/mild detergent and it looks like new.
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