Is your closest canine friend a bit malodorous? If your dog spends a lot of time outside he may pick up scents that make him socially unacceptable. If you don't have time to bathe your dog to remove these odors, you may be tempted to pick up some cologne for dogs to freshen your best friend up a bit. While this can be a viable alternative, there are certain points to keep in mind when choosing and using a dog cologne:
Cologne for dogs: Choose a safe dog cologne
When selecting a dog cologne, look for one with all natural ingredients. Certain cologne additives can not only cause skin irritation but can also aggravate your dog's smell receptors. It's important to keep in mind that dogs have much more acute smell perception than humans which means you don't want to use cologne with a heavy odor. Also pick a product that's free of alcohol which can irritate and dry the skin.
Cologne for dogs: Consider a spritz
If your dog is sensitive to cologne or you feel the scent is too heavy, you may want to consider a spritz which is a more dilute version of a dog cologne. This may a nice alternative if your dog sneezes or appears irritated by the use of dog colognes. Again, look for an all natural product without ingredients that will cause irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes, or skin.
Cologne for dogs: Look for ingredients that condition fur and skin
Some colognes and spritz sprays have ingredients that condition your dog's fur and help to relieve dry irritated skin. Look for ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe, almond oil, vitamin E, and vegetable glycerine. The addition of essential oils can also have positive benefits on the condition of your dog's skin and fur. If you do choose a product with essential oils, resist the urge to use it on your cat. Certain essential oils can be toxic to cats.
Cologne for dogs: Apply cologne appropriately
Use common sense when applying dog cologne or cologne spritz to your dog's fur. Avoid spraying his face or eyes since this can cause irritation to the delicate mucous membranes. Apply scent as lightly as possible to avoid overwhelming your dog with smells that may not be pleasant to him. Since most dogs aren't enthusiastic about being sprayed with scent (they rather like their natural odor), give your dog lots of pats and positive reinforcement once the job is done.
By using a dog cologne, you can reduce the number of baths your dog has to endure while still keeping your canine friend socially acceptable. This means lots more hugs and cuddles!
