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When you see ads for high-end clothing and accessories, dogs may not be your first thought. With Americans projected to spend more than $150 million on their pets in 2024, luxury items like dog perfumes from designers are becoming more common. Besides the cost, the more immediate concern for dog owners and veterinarians is whether pet perfumes and deodorizing sprays are safe for dogs.
We asked two veterinarians about the health risks of pet perfumes for dogs, how to use scented products safely, and what ingredients to avoid.
How Do Pet Perfumes Work?
Dogs have glands throughout their body including their ears, paws, and anus. These glands produce secretions, which give off an odor that can be mild or strong and musty. Pet perfumes and deodorizing sprays are products that are “designed to mask or neutralize odors on a pet’s fur,” says Dr. Terry Fossum, DVM, board-certified veterinary surgeon and host of The Cutting Edge Vet podcast.
Typically, pet perfumes feature a mix of fragrances to cover up your pet’s natural odors. For example, bacteria can make your dog’s paws smell like corn chips. Although this yeasty smell might be unpleasant to some people, it’s completely normal and doesn’t mean your dog has a bacterial infection.
Aside from scent, pet perfumes may contain odor-neutralizing compounds that are supposed to be safer than those used in human perfumes. But even though these products are made with pets in mind, “it doesn’t mean they’re completely risk-free, so you should always be careful when using them on your pet,” says Dr. Kelly Hood, DVM, in-house veterinary expert at PetPortraits.com. Plus, dogs have a highly developed sense of smell that’s much more sensitive than ours, so greater care is needed when using scented products.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Using Pet Perfumes?
Along with making your dog’s scent more appealing, certain fragrances may have a calming effect on your dog. For example, lavender contains an aromatic compound called linalool, which can help promote sleep and relaxation. However, pet perfumes and deodorizing sprays also come with health and safety risks. Since dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell to recognize and communicate with people and dogs, some products may be “too overpowering and interfere with a dog’s sense of smell,” Dr. Fossum says.
“Strong fragrances can be really overwhelming and even distressing for dogs,” Dr. Hood notes. Dogs may show visible signs of stress like panting, yawning, or pacing back and forth. If the scent is particularly intense, dogs may become disoriented or have difficulty navigating their surroundings, adds Dr. Fossum.
Dogs with pre-existing skin conditions or sensitivities are at greater risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions, Dr. Hood says. Heavily scented products can be harsh on a dog’s skin, especially when used frequently. Likewise, your dog may be more sensitive to fragrances if they have respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis. Aside from the risk of breathing in chemical compounds, licking or ingesting perfume may cause gastrointestinal upset including drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea, notes Dr. Hood.
Another concern with pet perfumes has to do with their odor-neutralizing ability. “Veterinarians often use their sense of smell to help with diagnoses,” Dr. Fossum says. “Some skin diseases have a particular smell that a perfume could mask.”
How Do You Use Pet Perfumes Safely?
If you decide to use pet perfumes or deodorizing sprays on your dog, make sure to “use them sparingly, and only in areas away from a dog’s nose,” Dr. Fossum says. Choose products that don’t interfere with your dog’s natural ability to detect scent. She also recommends spraying the product on your hands and then rubbing it into your dog’s fur rather than spraying it onto their fur.
Dr. Hood agrees, explaining that spraying perfume on your hands gives you more control over how much of the product you’re using. When applying pet perfume, focus on the back and sides of the dog. “It’s very important to avoid sensitive areas like the face, eyes, ears, and genitals,” she adds.
Keep an eye out for signs that your dog is distressed. “If your dog seems uncomfortable or irritated after applying perfume, wash off the spray,” Dr. Hood says. She recommends using perfumes once a week at most and only when necessary.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid?
Some pet perfumes contain ingredients commonly found in human perfumes, like ylang-ylang, because of their aromatic properties. However, these ingredients “can be problematic in dog perfumes,” Dr. Fossum says. “Ylang-ylang, in particular, can be toxic if ingested, and its strong scent can overwhelm a dog’s sensitive nose.” If you’re using a perfume that contains ylang-ylang, be sure to apply it to an area where your dog can’t sniff or lick.
Despite claims that perfumes are made with natural ingredients, “it’s really important to be cautious with essential oils in pet products,” Dr. Hood says. For example, tea tree oil isn’t safe for dogs and in its pure form can cause poisoning. Natural fragrances can irritate your dog’s eyes, skin, and airways. She strongly advises against using perfumes with artificial fragrances, alcohol, and parabens. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetic products.
When purchasing a pet perfume, Dr. Hood recommends checking the full ingredient list and consulting your veterinarian before using any perfume or scented product on your dog. Dog owners should be cautious about “ingredients that can disrupt their dog’s natural scent detection,” Dr. Fossum says. “If your dog has an unpleasant odor, I recommend bathing them more frequently, brushing them regularly between baths, and brushing their teeth.”
The post Are Pet Perfumes and Deodorizing Sprays Safe for Dogs? appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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