While pepper spray can be an excellent method to prevent the attack of aggressive dogs, many people wonder if they can also use bear spray to protect themselves. While both sprays are effective, bear spray being more dangerous is still a concerning issue for many.
So, will bear spray hurt a dog? Yes, bear spray has higher irritation effects than pepper spray on dogs. As their purpose is only to prevent the dog from attacking you, it’s better to use pepper spray to avoid severe effects.
Let’s learn more about bear sprays and their effects on dogs. Check out the list of the most effective Dog Repellent Sprays on Amazon now!
Does Bear Spray Affect Dogs?
Although the bear spray is specially formulated to keep bears away in the wild, it also affects dogs.
The chemical called Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is used in pepper sprays because it is irritating for dogs and immediately backs them away. This chemical affects the mucous membranes, which are mostly found in the eyes, nose, and ears.
However, we see that the amount of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) in bear sprays is higher than that of pepper sprays. It means that bear sprays have a higher degree of effect on dogs than pepper sprays.
Is It Legal To Use Bear Spray On A Dog?
Yes, it is legal to use bear spray on a dog, but only as self-defense. When an aggressive dog suddenly starts to attack you, you can use bear spray as a defensive weapon to protect yourself from such rabid dogs.
As fierce dogs can be found roaming all around the streets, people should carry something with them for protection. In such conditions, bear spray can be the best idea. Although pepper sprays are mostly used to keep aggressive dogs away, bear sprays are also good alternatives.
However, you can only use bear spray if the dog is attacking you. Only in this condition, using one is considered legal. If you use bear spray on a dog that’s minding its own business and doing no harm to you, you can be fined for animal cruelty.
Is Bear Spray Stronger Than Dog Spray?
While bear and pepper spray perform the same functions, they have some differences that make one better than the other. The increased concentration of the active ingredient (Oleoresin Capsicum) in bear spray makes it stronger than pepper or dog spray.
The strength of these sprays is perhaps the most significant factor, which accounts for the percentage of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) in the sprays.
According to experts, the bear spray contains twice the percentage of OC than dog spray. However, both sprays contain the same active ingredient.
The increased concentration also means that bear spray will have a strong impact on the dog, and the itching and burning sensation will last longer and be more painful.
Is Pepper Or Bear Spray Better To Stop A Dog Attack?
As the function of both the sprays is the same, and you’ll likely see the same result too, it’s better to use pepper spray to stop a dog attack instead of bear spray. It is because the stronger formulation of pepper spray will have a strong and long-lasting effect on the dog.
Both the pepper and bear spray work as a defensive tool to protect yourself from the attack of aggressive dogs. However, the higher concentration of the active ingredient in bear spray makes it more painful for the dog.
So, why should we use a stronger composition when we can achieve the same results from another spray with a lower concentration that feels less painful to the dog?
As the effects of pepper spray will last for some time and will be less painful and irritating for the dog, we recommend using it. Even if the dog is aggressive and ready to attack us, we should not put it in a severely painful situation.
The pepper spray will also make the dog step back immediately, and that’s why using it can be a wise idea to save yourself without putting too much harm to the dog. Check out the list of the most effective Dog Repellent Sprays on Amazon now!
Will Bear Spray Work On An Attacking Dog/Pitbull?
Yes, bear spray is much stronger than pepper spray and will definitely stop a Pitbull.
Thus, it will immediately stop an attacking dog. Bear spray is also known to work much effectively on Pitbulls. As keeping Pitbulls away can be a challenging task and an aggressive Pitbull may make you freak out, spraying bear spray can be a handy technique to protect yourself in an emergency situation.
The stronger effect of bear spray due to the higher amount of active ingredients will make the dog step back even if it’s just jumping to attack you.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Sprayed By Bear Spray?
If your dog gets sprayed by bear spray, the immediate and powerful effect of the spray will become unbearable for the dog, and that’s why this problem will need your immediate attention.
Leaving your dog unattended is not a good idea at all because the condition may worsen, and your dog will suffer.
Here’s what you can do if your dog gets sprayed by bear spray.
Wash its eyes, ears, and nose
The first thing to do is wash your dog’s eyes with water to remove the spray from the eyes. The bear spray also affects the ears and nose equally, so make sure you also wash them thoroughly with large amounts of water to remove the excess spray.
Your dog might act insane because the spray is irritating its eyes, but you’ll have to make sure that its eyes get washed properly.
Look if it has ingested the spray
While bear spray can cause visible effects like burning and itching, you also need to check if your dog has ingested the bear spray. If it has, your dog might be put on an IV to prevent further problems.
Check for other symptoms
Bear spray isn’t life-threatening and won’t kill your dog either. Also, its effects will disappear after an hour or so.
But, you cannot rely on this fact only and leave your dog unattended. Instead, you’ll have to keep a check on it until the effects of the bear spray go away.
In some cases, depending on the quality of the spray, your dog might develop other problems.
Some of these are:
- Drooling
- Pain in the eyes, ears, and nose
- Squinting
- Hypersalivation
- Burning
If the pain doesn’t go away after half an hour or an hour or you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, your vet will prescribe the best medicine.
Related Post: Can You Use Pepper Spray On Dogs?(It Depends)
Final Words
Bear spray is mainly used to keep bears away in the wild. However, as it uses the same active ingredient as pepper spray, people often use it as an alternative to pepper spray.
But, bear spray is highly powerful because it has twice the effect of pepper spray. Thus, bear spray can be painful for dogs regardless of the breed.
Therefore, we recommend using pepper spray to keep the dog away without hurting it too much. After spraying the dog, you should immediately wash it with water and look for other symptoms that might need your attention.
My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. While I can definitely say I love all animals in general, my heart belongs to cats and dogs. I know you are supposed to choose one or the other, but I could never really decide. I’ve also owned hamsters and fish when I was a kid, and they filled my childhood with very delightful memories.
