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Do you take care of your dog by bathing him regularly, but find he still does not smell “clean”? Or perhaps your beloved pet doesn’t smell good but you don’t have time to bathe him, or his skin requires infrequent bathing. Regardless of the reason for his odors, the bad smell given off by a dog can be difficult to bear on a daily basis, especially if your sense of smell is very developed. Dog cologne can then become an important ally for peaceful coexistence with your four-legged friend.

But be careful, don’t buy just any product on the pretext that you think it smells good! Because it might not be suitable for your dog. Instead, check out our list of the best dog colognes that we’ve reviewed and ranked, based on their ingredients, scent, durability, and price.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024 Update)

The 6 Best Dog Colognes

1. Hepper Pet Cologne Spray

Many scented pet products have an overpowering scent and are made with less-than-ideal ingredients. This isn’t the case with Hepper’s Pet Cologne, which is one of the biggest reasons why we’ve chosen this product as the best overall dog cologne on the market.

Its light and delicate fragrance will leave your pup smelling of aloe and cucumber without being too overpowering. This multi-tasking formula provides a long-lasting, fresh scent, detangles your pet’s coat, and reduces static. The formula dries quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy or oily feeling in its wake.

This cologne is made with natural ingredients, so it doesn’t contain any of the additives that can harm your pup’s coat, coat, or health, like parabens or sulfates.

At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

Pros

• Can detangle coat
• Fresh but not overpowering scent
• Made with natural ingredients
• No parabens or sulfates
• Gentle on the skin

Cons

• Only one scent is available

2. Hydrosurge Dog Cologne – Best Value

You’ve just finished folding your clothes and the smell of clean laundry fills your house. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your smelly doggie could give off the same soothing scent of freshly cleaned cotton? Now it’s possible with Hydrosurge Biodegradable Dog Cologne, which combines conditioning ingredients, free of alcohol and solvents, to leave your dog’s fur scented, silky and smooth.

Unfortunately, the scent won’t last much longer than a few hours, but that depends on the dogs. In some cases, the smell of fresh laundry can last up to a week, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t withstand for that long, especially if your pup has a rather strong natural smell. However, at the price this bottle costs, you will be able to spray your dog again between baths without breaking the bank! We think it is the best dog cologne for the money.

Pros

• Biodegradable
• Pleasant smell of fresh laundry
• Free of alcohol and solvents
• Made in the USA
• Leaves your dog’s coat silky and smooth

Cons

• Scent only lasts a few hours
• Only one choice of fragrance

3. CK-9 Designer Doggie Cologne – Premium Choice

If you want your furry friend to exude the scent of woody and musky designer fragrance, then CK-9 Doggie Cologne should be your go-to! This premium dog cologne has a unique smell that is very distinct from other available options and will delight dog owners who can’t stand floral or baby powder scents.

Besides, this product is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin, but you should only spray it between his shoulder blades and avoid areas prone to licking. Another drawback, the smell can be a little too masculine for a female dog. However, a nice perk of this option is that the scent lasts for days, which is not the case for most dog colognes.

Pros

• Unique scent inspired by real designer fragrances
• Scent lasts a few days
• Safe to use on dogs with sensitive skin

Cons

• Should only be sprayed between the shoulder blades
• Maybe too masculine a scent for female dogs

4. Oster Professional Dog Cologne

Oster is a reputable brand that has been selling quality pet products for over 50 years. Their dog cologne lives up to its reputation: it’s alcohol-free, maintains the pH balance of dog skin, is made in the USA, and comes in two scents. In addition, its price is more than affordable. In fact, the only reason it lands a bit lower on our list is that the scent may be too overpowering for some dogs and their owners, rendering the product useless, no matter how low the price tag. However, you could still use it as an air freshener in your car in case you enjoy the scent but your furry friend doesn’t!

Pros

• Nice clean fresh scent
• Made in the USA
• Great value for money
• 100% alcohol-free

Cons

• Lasts only a few hours or even less
• Scent may be too strong for some dogs and their owners

5. TropiClean Spa Fresh Cologne

After a spray of TropiClean Dog Cologne, you’ll feel like your dog just spent an afternoon with you at the spa! Plus, he will be able to frolic in the sun without being afraid of getting sunburned thanks to the added UV protection. Be careful though, because this product is not hypoallergenic, contrary to what the natural ingredients (cucumber, oats, ginger) and the top-notch packaging might suggest.

Moreover, this applies to all products (deodorizing sprays, perfumes, cologne) for dogs: always test on a small part of your pet’s coat before spraying his whole body, in order to avoid any possible allergic reaction.

Pros

• Doesn’t leave residue on the coat
• Added UV protector
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Not hypoallergenic
• Contains alcohol

6. PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Cologne Spray

PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Cologne is a good budget aerosol spray option that comes in three very pleasant scents: Baby Powder, Floral, and Tropical. The fresh scent evaporates very quickly, however, requiring you to re-spray your dog. Since this spray contains solvents, repeated additions may dry out your pet’s skin, which is obviously undesirable. You should also avoid spraying near your pup’s face, to avoid eye contact. But, if you just want to freshen up your dog’s coat once in a while, this affordable product might be for you.

Pros

• Smells fabulous
• Convenient aerosol spray
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Contains solvent and preservatives
• Can dry skin due to alcohol
• Scent is gone within a few minutes

Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Dog Cologne

Why Does a Dog Smell…Like a Dog?

Everyone knows the unpleasant smell of a dog coming back from a walk in the rain. His wet and smelly fur just makes us want to send him back underwater, but this time with a good dose of shampoo as a bonus! But even in normal times, a dog gives off a particular smell which is due to several factors:

• Sweat. Perspiration allows the body to regulate itself naturally through sweat. In dogs, this perspiration is done exclusively through the pads and the mouth because there are not as many sweat glands (which allow the evacuation of sweat directly through the skin) as in humans. In other words, dogs mainly sweat through their paws, which gives them a specific chemical smell.
• Oil. Just like humans, the sebaceous glands of dogs produce oil and sebum, which protects the skin from external aggressions and dehydration, and gives a beautiful shine to the dog’s fur. This sebum also has its own olfactory marker.
• Cerumen. A dog’s ceruminous glands are located in the ear canal and produce earwax, which is responsible for that slight yeasty smell that dogs give off.
• Anal sacs, or olfactory glands. These glands are located near the dog’s anus and release a strong musky odor when the dog poops. This smell is specific to each dog allows them, among other things, to identify each other.
• These are normal body odors in your furry friend and can be reduced with regular bathing and grooming.

Can the Dog Smell Be Due to a Health Problem?

If your pup’s odor becomes downright unpleasant, it may be time to go to the vet. Indeed, bacteria or fungi can be responsible for unpleasant odors in your pet and lead to mild or more serious infections.

For example, a dog with an ear infection will release a pungent smell, even putrid if the infection is more serious. Another thing, his anal sacs can become blocked, which can lead to a purulent abscess requiring drainage and antibiotic treatment. Tooth infections, skin infections, and gastrointestinal issues can all manifest as a foul odor in your beloved dog.

How to Make Your Dog Smell Good?

Once you’ve ruled out potential health issues, you can help your dog (and the rest of your home!) smell better.

• Change his diet. A diet that is too high in starch and low in fatty acids can make your dog’s skin dry and irritated and lead to an unpleasant odor. Talk to your vet about whether you should give your pup fatty acid supplements or switch kibble brands.
• Bathe your dog. Unless your dog uses every outing to roll around in the mud, you should bathe your dog no more than once a month. Use mild dog shampoos to avoid irritating his skin.
• Use colognes and perfumes. Between each bath, you can use perfumes and colognes designed for dogs, but don’t overdo it. Make sure your dog doesn’t have allergic reactions, especially when using a new product.

How to Choose the Best Dog Colognes

So, you’ve ruled out health issues, changed his diet, and bathed your dog? Now is the time to find an effective and safe cologne for your smelly pooch. Here are the important points to guide you in your purchase:

Ingredients

The composition of perfumes and colognes for dogs has nothing to do with that of products intended for humans. These are specific ingredients that are adapted to the coat and skin of the dog and limit any allergic reactions of the animal. However, every dog ​​is different, and you cannot predict whether or not your pet will tolerate the product well.

So, a huge part of choosing a good cologne is making sure the ingredients are right for your dog. Try to avoid any products that use chemicals such as phosphates, sulfates, and parabens. Prefer water-based formulas, not alcohol-based ones, to avoid drying out your pup’s skin.

Fragrance

Colognes for dogs have pleasant fragrances, reminiscent of human scents. However, products with natural scents are generally the most tolerated by your dog. You can also look for formulas that are hypoallergenic and designed for sensitive skin, as the ingredients in these products are milder. Also, citrus and peppermint smells are a big no-no, since these same smells are natural repellents for dogs!

Light scents, such as baby powder and sweet fruit, are among the acceptable scents, as they are not too strong and disturbing to the dog.

Lasting Strength

No matter which product you choose, don’t expect the smell to linger for weeks on end. However, some colognes do last a little longer than others, but don’t expect your pup to smell like strawberries for a month!

Conclusion

Dog colognes, while they won’t mask wet or smelly dog odors for very long, are products that can help you control foul odors between baths. These products don’t last as long as perfumes, but they are indicated in case your pooch has particularly sensitive skin. If you’re new to the world of dog colognes, we recommend Hepper, Hydrosurge, or Oster as your first purchase, due to their great value and quality of ingredients.

And above all, remember never to abuse these scented products, especially if your dog suddenly smells worse than usual! In this case, a visit to the veterinarian is the best solution.

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Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock

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