When it comes to caring for our four-legged friends, their safety and well-being are always a priority. Many owners like to keep their dogs smelling nice, but the question arises: can perfume be bad for dogs?
Let’s explore this question and separate myth from reality to ensure the health of our canine companions. Find out if perfume is safe for dogs to make them even more protected.
Is perfume bad for dogs?
Different from bathing, which helps to control the pet’s body oiliness and maintain its hygiene, perfume is not a cleaning product and its use is not essential.
According to Dr. Larissa Seibt, veterinarian at Petz, this does not make it a prohibited item. “There are no contraindications to the use of perfumes for dogs,” says the specialist. So, perfume for dogs in itself doesn’t pose any risks to the pet’s health.
That is, if you’re the type who can’t resist putting a special fragrance on your pet and wonder if you can put perfume on your dog every day, you can continue to do so without guilt. But for their safety, the veterinarian stresses that it must be done properly.
Careful to take with perfume for dogs
Even if it is not necessary for the pet’s well-being, perfume can be used without risk. But it’s important to take some precautions when using it, which we’ll explain below.
- Use only specific products for dogs, always checking that they have been previously tested and approved by veterinarians;
- Apply sparingly. In addition to the risk of causing irritation, using too much perfume can interfere with the dog’s sense of smell, which is very important to him;
- Be careful not to spray the product on mucous areas such as the eyes and nostrils, which are more prone to irritation;
- Never apply perfume to skin that has been damaged by wounds, itching, etc;
- Do not apply the product to your pet every day. Prolonged use of perfume can cause irritation;
- If you notice any adverse reaction to the perfume – such as itching, redness or hair loss – discontinue use immediately and seek veterinary advice.
For those who have doubts about whether or not to use people’s perfume on dogs, Larissa says it’s best to avoid the practice. “Although human skin and that of our pets are similar in some ways, there are differences in the physiology of the skin, amount of hair, pH, temperature, fat secretion, among other factors that can interfere with or irritate the pet’s skin,” says the vet.
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