We have all been there when our dog comes back from a long walk, and the smell of wet fur seems to cling to them no matter how long/hard we try drying them off; they still have that smell that never wants to go away.
This is a frustrating situation for most dog owners, especially in situations where they are often bathed but the odor is still there, which may be the result of the bacteria, yeast, and oil on the dog’s skin.
It is of no surprise that as a dog owner, you will want to look for a quick fix to the odor your dog is bringing out by spraying your perfume on them, but is it advisable? Will there be side effects? Will your dog stay sick as a result?
These are most of the questions asked by my dog owners. Therefore, in this article, Luxeperf provides answers to these questions and also shows you ways to deal with the foul odor coming out from your dog, turning it into something pleasant.
Can I Spray Perfume On My Dog?
Sometimes, the odor of your dog might make you wonder whether or not to spray perfume on them. But can you? The answer? Yes, you can spray perfume on your dog, but certain conditions need to be met before carrying on with it.
For different reasons, perfume can be harmful to dogs, especially if it is a perfume/cologne made for humans. Some may ask why human perfume can’t be used on dogs. The reason is that it’s too complex for dogs when it comes to their sense of smell and thinning skin.
Yes, perfume can be sprayed on dogs, but not the normal perfume you used, as those kinds of perfumes can be so strong for your dog, and oftentimes, they mostly contain chemicals, alcohols, and fragrances that are dangerous for dogs because of how sensitive their skin is, their sense of smell, and their respiratory system.
Various studies have shown that dogs have a sense of smell with their nose that is much more powerful than that of humans. Now imagine what that would do to them if you sprayed your normal type of perfume on them; they would be uncomfortable and could also cause other effects like sneezing or coughing and much more.
Additionally, dogs have lighter skin than humans; however, it is covered by furs, which, if such perfume touches it, can cause irritation on their skin, or worse, if they mistakenly lick it, because dogs are too fond of licking their skin as a means of itching skin after being sprayed, it can cause them to get sick.
What Happens If I Accidentally Spray Perfume on My Dog?
If you are spraying yourself and accidentally spray your dog, a lot can happen within a few minutes or after, but you need to watch their reaction and behavior.
In most cases, when this happens, especially if it is directly to their face, they might sneeze or cough. Depending on how serious it is, it will only last a few minutes.
Sometimes, their skin might be itching, or they may feel uncomfortable and start licking their skin, and you know what that would do to them if the perfume is alcoholic—it will be toxic to them. Hence, you must see a vet immediately if it continues after 24 hours of watching and washing their body.
If You Can’t Spray Perfume on Your Dog, What Can You Do to Make the Odor Go?
In situations, you don’t know the type of perfume to spray on your dog, but the odor is still there. What can you do? What is the way out? It is simple: get a grooming spray for your dog or regularly bathe and brush your dog.
1. Grooming Spray
Unlike normal perfume, there are specific perfumes, colognes, deodorizers, and sprays specifically made for dogs. Depending on your breed, you can consult your vet for advice before using them.
Even with that, these sprays are made with mild and gentle ingredients that are safe for dogs in a way that no matter how they lick their skins or sniff their bodies, it won’t affect them in any way or make them uncomfortable.
Additionally, they are usually naturally made with less chemical and alcohol, unlike the perfumes made for humans, and most importantly, they do not have any side effects on dogs and make them smell great. You can try them out instead of going for perfumes made for humans, made for you.
2. Regular Bathing and Brushing
Are you one of those dog owners that can’t stand their dogs because of the odor coming out when they are wet after bathing? Maybe you are doing it wrongly, or you don’t have the right shampoo/spray to use after bathing and when bathing.
Advisably, you are expected to brush and bathe your dog and help them remove loose fur and prevent matting at least every six to four weeks; however, it depends on your breed, as some require you to bathe them every week.
Ensuring you properly bathe and brush your dog, make sure you use the right type of shampoo for your dog; there are many you can choose from that won’t make them smell bad and don’t have side effects. After that, you can spray your dog using a grooming spray as said earlier.
Best Grooming Spray You Can Use for Your Dog: Our 5 Top Picks
While you can’t use the normal regular perfume for your dog, there are other top perfumes for dogs that you can use. Some of them include the following:
1. Pawfume Premium Grooming & Finishing Spray
The first on our list is the Pawfume Premium Grooming & Finishing Spray—one of the best out there you should try. One thing we loved about this spray is its scent and how pleasant and fresh it is. The spray doesn’t have a strong and overpowering scent that might cause discomfort for your dog or cause skin irritation.
One downside of this spray is that it doesn’t last as long as advertised, but it’s still better than most products. However, if you can stand applying the spray after a few hours it was off, it is the best shot for your dog.
2. Bark2Basics Salon Scents Pet Grooming Cologne
If you care much about how your dog smells, the Bark2Basics Salon Scents Pet Grooming Cologne is a great pick. One thing we loved about this spray is how naturally the spray works on dogs; there is no overpowering smell, and the best of all is that it lasts longer as advertised.
While it is a great pick, there are plenty of scents you can go for. If you are a fan of blueberry muffin scents, this is your best shot.
3. Aromatherapy Freshening & Shining Spray for Pets
Made with natural chamomile, lavender, lanolin, vitamin E oil, and much more, the Aromatherapy Freshening & Shining Spray for Pets is a great natural grooming spray if you are looking to eliminate your dog’s bad odor and calm them down.
Just like its name, the product works perfectly as advertised. We love the product for its natural scents to calm dogs, and it doesn’t have any side effects on them, such as sneezing or skin itching.
4. South Bark’s Blueberry Clove Dog Cologne
Another on our list is the South Bark’s Blueberry Clove Dog Cologne, which smells great for dogs. One downside we noticed is that not every dog will love the cologne, but most of them do.
Additionally, the manufacturers also produce shampoo and other great products to groom your dog and make them smell nice even if you don’t want to bathe your dog; by just spraying South Bark’s Blueberry Clove Dog Cologne, you will be amazed how nice the odor of your dog changed.
5. Espree Rainforest Cologne
The last on our list is the Espree Rainforest Cologne mixed with Aloe Vera, unlike the commonly known lavender used in most sprays. One thing we love about this spray is how long it lasts and how easy it is to apply on dogs.
Additionally, the scent is so great that it will cleanse your dog from the foul odor it has, whether it’s as a result of wet fur or going out into the dirt. With just a spray on their fur, you’re good to go. There is no downside if your dog loves it, and the best is that it doesn’t have any side effects on them.
Final Thought
In summary, to the overall question: Can I spray perfume on my dog? Yes, you can surely spray perfume on your dog, but it depends on several factors, as explained in this article. If you must, the perfume should be made specifically for dogs, like the grooming spray we mentioned above (you can choose from our top pick).
Just make sure the spray is mild and does not have any ingredients, such as alcohol, that are harmful to dogs in such a way that would make them have itchy skin, continuous licking due to skin irritation, etc.