Dog Odor Spray Buyer’s Guide
Shopping for a dog spray for your pooch is actually in a lot of ways similar to shopping for a scent for yourself. It is important that you settle for something whose smell you can actually stand because the dog honestly couldn’t be bothered if they smelled fruity, flowery, or spicy.
However, you still need to take the dog’s needs into consideration when making your decision. In the sections below, we will discuss some of these needs and other important considerations you should make when shopping for the best dog odor spray. That way you get something that everyone will be happy with.
Longevity offered
When it comes to dog odor sprays, the longer one spritz lasts the better the value you get. This means that it takes less to have your dog smelling good. A lot of these products come in small package sizes of between 8 and 12 oz. That is not a whole lot of product unless you are working with a really good formula that is designed to last long.
As such, only a small amount every now and then is needed to keep your dog smelling decent and cuddle-able. I mean the last thing you want is to keep spraying your dog every single day. It will not be fun for your pooch. It will not be fun for you. And it will definitely not be fun for your wallet.
100% cologne formulas with strong and concentrated extracts like our top pick will not let you down. Some aerosols also work in this case offering long term cover for better value. Finally, you could consider options with special technology where the fragrance particles are designed to last longer on the coat and disperse the nice scent over time. Whatever the case, the bottom line remains that longevity should be a major priority.
The scent profile
This refers to what your dog will smell like from the spray. One of the most popular options is the floral scent profiles. This could be a specific flower in which case lavender, rose and cherry blossom are the most popular with dog owners. However, you could also find odor dog sprays that come with combinations. These are usually mild and fantastic if you don’t want something that will choke you or your dog.
You could also go with something fruity like plum, mango or even citrus. These tones are usually sharper and fresher. They are therefore wonderful when dealing with powerful dog odors as they sort of cut through the stench leaving freshness in their wake. This is the same case with spicy fragrances like cinnamon although they are not very common.
Finally, you could get a dog odor spray that combines different tones for something bolder and more unique. You could go for one of these if for some reason you do not like any of the ordinary stand-alone scents.
The pet-friendliness of the ingredients used
This stuff will be left on your dog’s skin for a while until you give them their next bath. It will most likely somehow get ingested as they lick themselves. It might even get into their airways especially while spraying.
With so much at stake in terms of their health, you want to make sure that you only settle for dog perfumes that are safe for the animal. In this case, you can never go wrong with all-natural and water-based formulations. These get the job done without exposing your pooch to chemical additives that may end up doing more harm than good.
Non-natural options could also be pet-friendly depending on the formulation. Just make sure to look out for ingredients like alcohol and parabens. You could also go through the reviews sections to see whether any other pet owners who used the product had their dogs experience any unwanted side effects.
Aerosol vs. liquid spray
There are many different formulation styles when it comes to dog odor sprays. They can be broadly classified as either simple liquids or aerosol sprays.
Liquids are usually either 100% cologne or water-based fragrances that are often lighter. They are free from propellant compounds that may sometimes cause irritation for the dog. These formulations are also often more concentrated so you do not need to use too much product to get the desired effect. Finally, they are fantastic for sensitive dog skin as they are not harsh.
Aerosols, on the other hand, include propellant materials that create the fine particle effect. This has the benefit of better dispersal of the fragrance over the dog’s coat. They therefore help you use your bottle economically by spreading the particles over a large space with just one spritz.
Each option has something to offer. The cologne and water-based options are objectively better and safer for the pooch. However, the aerosols also have their set of pros. It all boils down to your personal preferences.
Multiple functionality
Your dog is obviously your number one priority when you are shopping for the odor sprays. However, it doesn’t hurt to get the most out of your investment by settling for something that will serve you in more ways than one. This is the case with multi-purpose dog sprays.
They are formulated for safe use not only on the dog’s skin and fur but also on their accessories. This could be anything from the dog bed and lounge mat to car seat. The main benefit here is having continuity in the odor control. Otherwise you will have a nice-smelling pooch hanging out on a smelly old couch mat only to nullify your efforts and have you using up more product than you need to.
The packaging
Here, we are talking specifically about clear bottles vs opaque ones. Technically, this is not a make or break consideration to make when shopping for a dog odor spray. However, it could make your life more convenient so it would be a nice bonus specification to look out for.
Clear bottles help you keep an eye on your usage rate for the product. You are therefore able to tell when the time to replace the spray is just around the corner as opposed to taking your chances with the shake-the-bottle technique.
Again, this is not a do or die feature. But convenience is always key. So if all the other factors add up, having a clear bottle is always going to be a fun bonus.
