Credit: Stuart Walmsley | Getty Images
If your dog needs a quick spritz to get him through from one bath to the next, you’ll be delighted to know there are a shocking number of dog perfumes and dog colognes. And with that comes an equally wide range of prices. I gathered the more affordable options out there to help your pup smell as bougie as it’s possible for a pup to smell and compared how well they did their job.
But first, why use a dog perfume? Many reasons. These products can:
- Condition the coat
- Reduce static electricity, which can be a benefit with heavily coated breeds in winter climates
- Help with cleanliness and less odor between baths
- Calm an anxious dog
Obviously, when using dog perfume or dog cologne, one must remember that a dog’s olfactory senses are far superior to ours. It matters greatly that you choose a scent that won’t overpower or be offensive to your dog. After all, they will be stuck with it and typically cannot remove it themselves. That said, if spraying your dog results in him giving himself a mud bath the first chance he gets, it’s a pretty safe bet that product was a poor choice.
Choosing the Right Perfume for Dogs
Let’s face it: No dog needs perfume. And, for that reason, I looked at affordability and safety for your dog’s best scent enhancement. In researching these products and discovering a wide range of pricing options available to help our pups smell their absolute best, I decided I am not spending $60 on a dog perfume or cologne. You may feel more generous with your spending dollars, but these days, we all need to shop smart—and that’s what I did.
Of course, safety matters with any product you use on your dog. I was relieved to see that the ingredients used in most dog perfumes and colognes are indeed safe for use on dogs. That said, if you’re choosing a dog cologne, read the ingredients label before you buy it. If you’re unsure of the safety of an ingredient, choose something else.
Deciding to use one depends on your individual dog. For example, some dogs are even more sensitive to certain smells than other dogs. If you have an anxious dog, a lavender scent may help but, then again, it may cause additional anxiety as something different from their usual routine. It’s important to spray the scent on something else, even a paper towel, and offer it to your dog to see what their response is. If benign, then you can consider using it.
Strong scents can also cause issues with brachycephalic breeds, especially in warmer weather, so please keep that in mind if that is the type of dog that you are considering using a dog perfume on. It’s important to actively observe your dog after applying dog perfume or cologne so that you can quickly notice any signs of distress or anxiety. If you do, immediately bathe the dog in gentle soap and contact your veterinarian.
Another thing to keep in mind if you want to use a dog cologne or perfume is that if your dog has a medical condition or even a potential medical condition that can possibly have an odor change from them as a symptom, you may be masking that symptom by using these products. So, please, keep the application light and away from where any important odor changes in your dog may take place.
Dog Cologne Challenge
Ideally, when you choose to use one of these products on your dog, spray it on your hands first and then transfer it to the parts of their coat that are farther away from their nose or where they may easily lick. Spraying it on your hands first will give you much more control over how much goes onto your dog. It will potentially save you from another bath if you see signs of distress in your dog.
What I looked for in a dog perfume or cologne was:
- Affordability
- Safe ingredients
- Available scents
- Detailed descriptions of what the product was designed to do
Here’s what I found in comparing affordable dog perfumes:
Best Overall Dog Perfume – 4 Paws
Pawfume Premium Grooming and Finishing Spray
One size. 4 fluid ounces. $12.94
Three scents: Blue Ribbon, Show Dog, and Royal Lavendar.
I found this one beat all the others paws down. Not only did it spray easily and very lightly, but it also had a dry feel upon application. It also dried quickly and without any stickiness whatsoever. The smell of the one that I chose, Dog Show, was very light and not at all overpowering. The bio states that Dog Show is a mix of amber, white lily, and musk powder. My dogs did not shy away from this scent, which is an important consideration. The manufacturer also notes that this product provides a moisturizing finish that also detangles and reduces static electricity.
Most Economical Dog Cologne with a Light Scent – 3 Paws
Begley’s Pet Cologne and Deodorizer
Two sizes. 4 fluid ounces and 8 fluid ounces. $8.98 to $11.98.
One scent: Baby Powder.
I found this one to not only be economical but also the second-lightest scent. It’s unobtrusive but, unlike the Pawfume, this one needs a light touch on the spritzer to prevent an overload on either your hand or your dog. Thankfully, it did not dry sticky, and it dried fast. Additionally, the bottle seems the most streamlined off all the products that I tested, taking up little space. My dogs did not shy away from this scent either.
Best Smelling (to the human!) Dog Perfume – 3 Paws
Three sizes: 4 fluid ounces, 8 fluid ounces, and 17 fluid ounces. $13.99 to $23.99.
12 scents: Baby Powder, Blueberry, Calming Lavender, Fresh Apple, Holiday Cider, Lilac, Mango, Orange Sherbert, Pachouli, Pumpkin Spice, Sugar Cookie, and Winter Wonderland
I was a bit overwhelmed with the scent choices from this company but ultimately went with what sounded the yummiest to me: Sugar Cookie. It smelled amazing, but it was also overwhelming, even to me. My dogs notably backed up when presented with this one. It’s one of my favorite scents, but I am not the one who would be wearing it. This product contains conditioning agents, and the bottle is attractive. It dries quickly and isn’t sticky feeling. However, the strong scent is what kept this one from being a 4 paws product.
Best Natural Light Perfume and Deodorizer – 2 ½ Paws
Earth Rated Dog Deodorizer Conditioning Spray
One size. 8 fluid ounces. $11.99
One scent: White Tea And Basil
I really liked the smell of this one. My dogs did not shy away from it. It’s light and not overpowering. It would have received a better rating, but I felt too much spray was released with a touch on the spritzer. I also wasn’t a fan of the foam that shows up when released either, but it did not affect the drying process. I would recommend using a very light touch on this one when you spray or your dog will be covered in wetness surprisingly fast. It did not dry sticky. It does smell very light and pleasant though.
Most Inexpensive Dog Cologne
Arm & Hammer for Pets Dog Cologne and Fragrance Spray – 2 Paws
One size. 6 fluid ounces. $6.99
Two scents: Rose & Sweet Apple and Vanilla Sandalwood.
I chose Vanilla Sandalwood. It has a pleasant light scent that is not at all overpowering. My dogs did not shy away from this one. It took a bit longer to dry than some others and was slightly sticky when dry, which I find problematic. This product was the least expensive of the group. If you need a dog perfume/cologne for various reasons, this one won’t set you back much financially. It also smells nice and isn’t overpowering. But I would not use this product on a coated dog due to the slight stickiness when dry that I noted.
In conclusion, if a dog perfume or cologne is something that you would like to experiment with, either to help your dog be less ripe smelling after a dirt dive or simply between baths, then know that there are dozens of choices, from very inexpensive to super bougie. Check the ingredients before purchasing, do a test spray on a paper towel so your dog can sniff it, then spritz away!
