Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans and can often react negatively to them. What smells pleasant to us can be overpowering to your pet, which can have a negative effect on their health. We take a look at 18 smells that your dog might find unpleasant:
Citrus
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits have a strong scent that can be irritating to dogs. While many of us love the fresh smell of citrus fruits, citric acid can bother your dog’s nose.
Hot Peppers
Hot peppers contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their heat. While both humans and dogs experience the burning sensation from capsaicin, dogs are more sensitive to it than we are. They don’t necessarily need to touch the chili as the concentration of capsaicin receptors in their nose is enough to irritate them.
Perfume and Cologne
Strong artificial scents like perfumes and colognes can also be overwhelming for dogs. While we might find someone’s signature scent attractive, dogs find these scents unpleasant and tend to avoid areas where they are concentrated.
Cleaning Products
The harsh chemicals in many cleaning products can be unpleasant and even toxic to dogs. If you have a pet, you should avoid using these products when they are around and open windows to help get rid of the smell when you do.
Alcohol
As well as being dangerous if ingested, the smell of alcohol, including rubbing alcohol, is unpleasant for most dogs. Be sure to keep alcoholic beverages out of your dog’s reach, as they may get too close to your class before they realize how irritating it is for them.
Vinegar
The strong, acidic scent of vinegar can be offensive to some humans, so dogs with sensitive noses can become very distressed by it. You should avoid using vinegar-based cleaning products around your dog and keep them away from spilled vinegar.
Mothballs
Mothballs contain naphthalene, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. Dogs are unlikely to get very close to mothballs as they find the smell very unpleasant, deterring them from chewing on them.
Pine Oil
The smell of pine oil appeals to many of us, but dogs have other thoughts. Some natural smells, like that of pine sap, might have been associated with unpleasant experiences for dogs in the wild, leading to an aversion over time.
Bitter Apple
Bitter Apple is a commercially available product designed to deter dogs from chewing on unwanted objects. It contains a denatonium compound, one of the bitterest substances known. Owners use this non-harmful substance to stop their pets from chewing on their belongings.
Tobacco Smoke
The complex mix of chemicals in tobacco smoke, including tar and nicotine, likely creates a harsh and overwhelming odor for dogs. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can irritate a dog’s lungs and airways, just like they do ours, so it is best not to smoke in the presence of pets.
Gas
Natural gas is odorless in its pure state, but a chemical odorant called mercaptan is added to it for safety reasons. This smell, often compared to rotten eggs or skunk spray, is unpleasant to most people and dogs. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, you should evacuate immediately and call the gas company.
Acetone
Acetone is a solvent commonly used in nail polish remover. It has a strong, unpleasant odor that can be irritating to dogs. If you see your dog wrinkling its nose, narrowing its eyes, or turning its head away, the smell will likely affect it.
Paint Thinner
Paint thinner is another solvent with a strong odor that can be bothersome to dogs. The smell comes from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate quickly. Be sure to keep paint thinner and other art supplies out of your dog’s reach.
Smelly Cheeses
Strong-smelling cheeses like Roquefort and Limburger have an acquired taste, which dogs do not like to be dear to. The bacteria that give these cheeses their strong odor can also upset a dog’s stomach, so you would not want them to eat it anyway.
Coffee
The strong smell of coffee can be overpowering for dogs, which is why you may see them move to another room while you have your morning coffee. Caffeine is also toxic to dogs, so keep your coffee cup out of their reach if they come close to it.
Sulfur
The smell of sulfur is not the most inviting for humans or animals. Rotten eggs and skunk spray both contain sulfur, which may explain why dogs dislike these smells. If you need to use this sentence for any reason, be kind and do so away from your pet.
Cat Litter
The smell of used cat litter is unpleasant for anyone, but dogs can be very sensitive to it. If you have a cat and a dog, be sure to keep the litter box in a place where the dog cannot access it.
Other Dogs
Some dogs may find the scent of other dogs unpleasant, especially if they are unfamiliar with the other dog. This can be a sign of aggression or dominance, and you will notice your dog growling or snapping at other dogs. A dog trainer or behaviorist may be able to combat this issue.