Do Our Dogs Really Need To Wear Perfume?

No dog deserves to smell bad! Then again, no dogs should smell like a walking Eau de Parfum!

Since the last decade, our dog has become a significant member in our family. Whether we are going to the store, spending a day at the park, or just snuggling in the couch, they are with us more often than ever. We treat them like our children, pampering them with the best things we can possibly provide and proudly take them wherever we go.

Nobody likes a smelly dog! The truth is that many feel offended when foul smelling dogs are in close proximity to them. Being polite, they usually won’t say it in your face and certainly they won’t want to pat your dog even he is the cutest dog on earth. Slowly but surely, they further themselves away from you and your dog. That’s a hurtful truth, I know. All the more, we must keep our dogs smelling fresh and clean as much as possible.

If your dog is going to be accompanying you everywhere you go, keeping him freshly clean is the fundamental petiquette every owner should conform to—in particular where people and dogs or pets congregate.

The Benefits of Using Perfume and Cologne on Dogs

Besides the obvious reason—our dogs will smell nice—there are also a few advantages why we too will benefit just as much as our dogs.

Accessories. For many dog owners, dog perfumes and cologne sprays have gone beyond grooming and accessorizing. In fact, they have become more of a necessity…for some. Unlike fancy collar or t-shirt, dog perfume is a way of pampering your dog without going overboard on accessories. It is also something that won’t go out of style.

Bad Hair Days. Humans are not the only beings who have bad hair days. Dogs or any animals with fur will suffer the same fate like us. The difference? Animals don’t care much about their appearance as we do. And since our dogs have become a member of the family, we feel they should somehow look and smell decent, especially they are going to be close to us so often. Fleurs de France Spa Dog, Perfumer/Detangler is one of those products that serves for this purpose.

Busy Owners. Spray a little of Lambert Kay Fresh ‘N Clean Pet Cologne on your dog keeps him smelling fresh and clean in between baths, thereby giving you, the busy owner, an extra day or two to bathe him. Some sprays such as Happy Tails Spa Shimmering Mist come with a special formula that literally repels dirt, so your dog will not only smell good, but will stay cleaner until his next bath.

Multi-Purposes. In addition to the appealing smell, some dog sprays have ingredients that moisturize your dog’s coat and skin and prevent matting. There is also a spray that offers a touch of shimmer on your dog’s coat while giving it a pleasant smell at the same time. Others come with glitter to add additional sparkles to his coat. Sparke & Shine Shimmering Mist Finishing Spray does both.

More Quality Time Together. Spraying a little spritz on your dog also gives you the opportunity to get closer to him. When your dog smells fresh and clean, you are more likely to pick him up, play with him, and spend more time with him. You can have your dog on your lap or the couch and not worry about that “doggie smell.”

Various Scents, Various Occasions. Dog perfumes come in different varieties and are specially designed to have a pleasing smell for both the owner and his dog. Some are made of the delicate blend of the sweetest flowers while others contain essential oils as their main ingredients. For example the Fur Breeze line, by HappyTailsSpa, doesn’t just cover unpleasant odors, it completely eliminates them. Currently they have two scents—Rosemary-Peppermint and Citrus-Vanilla.

If you like your dog’s scent to match with what you’re wearing, then you should try out some of the designers colognes for dogs. Of the few, I like CK 9 and Beautifur most. It’s nice to have a “unison” smell especially when we have family outings.

How Should Dog Perfumes and Cologne Sprays Be Used?

Generally, perfume extract contains about 20-40% aromatic compounds. Although dog perfume are less concentrated as compare to human perfume, it’s still not advisable to use them directly onto their skin and certainly not on dogs with problematic skin even if you dab it on their outer coat. Whereas cologne, it contains about 2-5% aromatic compounds.

Whichever one you use, dog perfume and cologne spray should never be used in direct contact onto your dog’s skin. Most products will advise you to spray six inches away from your dog’s body.

My only advice to you is never to use perfume or cologne to mask out foul odor your dog already has. It may serve as a temporary solution but it should never be used as a substitute for a complete wet bath!