Some dogs have a natural “dog smell”. Others like to roll in dirt, poop, and anything else that smells interesting. Whatever the cause, the result is a bad-smelling dog. Washes and baths can help get rid of the smell, but it isn’t always convenient to bathe your dog. And you can’t bathe your dog every time they go out for a walk in the field or roll in the garden. Dog deodorizing sprays are easy to apply, don’t necessitate bathing your dog, and they can leave your pup smelling of roses, or aloe vera, or some other natural aroma.
Below, you can find reviews of 10 of the best dog deodorizing sprays to help improve the aroma in your home.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners in 2024
The 10 Best Dog Deodorizing Sprays
1. Hepper Pet Cologne Spray – Best Overall
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Cucumber & Aloe |
Hepper Pet Cologne Spray is a water-based spray, which means it is gentle on your dog’s skin, so it is suitable even for dogs with sensitive skin, and it can be used regularly to freshen them up. The water-based formula is also non-greasy, so it won’t leave your dog’s coat looking oily and it won’t cause any matting.
The formula helps with smooth brushing, which means it can effectively control knots, too. It uses cucumber and aloe as natural scents, helping rid your pup of that dirty dog smell.
The formula is free from sulfates, silicone, parabens, and alcohol so it really is gentle on the skin while being tough on smells. This, combined with the pleasant and refreshing aromas of cucumber and aloe, makes it the best overall dog deodorizing spray, but it is an expensive option.
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Pros
- Scented with cucumber and aloe
- The water-based solution is gentle on the skin
- Free from sulfates, parabens, and alcohol
2. Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Spray – Budget Buy
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Kiwi Blossom |
Arm & Hammer Products Kiwi Blossom Super Deodorizing Dog Spray is an inexpensive deodorizing spray that can be used on wet or dry fur and is designed to keep dogs smelling fresh between baths. It is a water-based deodorant that contains natural ingredients and is scented with cucumber and kiwi.
Free from sulfates and parabens, the Arm & Hammer spray is good for dogs with sensitive skin and it can be used regularly. It is also an inexpensive option, making it the best dog deodorizing spray for the money, but you do need to spray quite a lot to get the desired results, which means it will need replacing often.
Pros
- No sulfates or parabens
- Cheap to buy
- Smells of cucumber and kiwi
Cons
- You need to use a lot for decent results
3. Chi Deodorizing Dog Spray
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Neutral |
Chi Deodorizing Dog Spray is expensive, but it is suitable for dogs aged 8 weeks or older. It is paraben-free and the manufacturers describe its aroma as being neutral. It does a good job removing dirty dog smell and it can be used on wet or dry fur by spraying the deodorant on and then thoroughly massaging and rubbing it into the coat before allowing it to dry naturally.
It comes in an 8-ounce bottle, and it is expensive, but the lack of fragrance will suit dogs and owners who don’t like strong smells. The spray also helps moisturize the coat and skin, leaving your dog smelling and feeling refreshed.
Pros
- Natural, neutral smell
- Paraben free
- Can be applied to dry or wet fur
4. Tropiclean Baby Powder Deodorizing Dog & Cat Spray
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Baby Powder |
Tropiclean Baby Powder Deodorizing Dog & Cat Spray is one of a range of Tropiclean sprays, each with its own aroma. The Baby Powder smell is subtle, which means that it may not be suitable for dogs with particularly pungent aromas.
It is a little on the expensive side, too, but it does use natural ingredients like chamomile and oatmeal to help soothe skin, leave your dog smelling fresh, and even help improve the smell of the room. Odor neutralizer helps combat smells at the source, so your dog won’t leave their smell behind on cushions, floors, or other surfaces.
Pros
- Gentle, neutral aroma of baby powder
- Uses natural ingredients
- Kills odors at the source
5. Pet MD Deodorizing Dog Body Spray
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Japanese Cherry Blossom |
Suitable for dogs aged 12 weeks or older, Pet MD Deodorizing Japanese Cherry Blossom Cat & Dog Body Spray is a water-based spray scented with cherry blossom to give your dog a pleasant, natural aroma. It claims to be long-lasting and sensitive on the skin, as well as effective at beating bad smells.
The Pet MD spray is on the expensive side, but it helps get into difficult areas like folds of skin, and it has natural static-reducing qualities that leave your dog looking clean and smelling clean while helping prevent matting. The spray can also be used on other animals so can be useful in a multi-pet household.
Pros
- Can be used on dogs, cats, and other animals
- Smells of Japanese cherry blossom
- Naturally combats static
6. Burt’s Bees Dog Deodorizing Spray
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Milk and Honey |
Infused with milk and honey, Burt’s Bees Milk & Honey Scented Dog Deodorizing Spray is a natural deodorant that is free from harsh chemicals, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. The aroma is quite mild, but it is pH balanced specifically for dogs, so it won’t cause irritation and it can be used regularly to freshen up your pup between baths and grooming sessions. It can also be used with topical flea and tick treatments, so there’s no excuse for having a bad-smelling dog.
Although Burt’s Bees is a little on the expensive side, it does have a fresh smell and its ingredient list is natural and sympathetic to our four-legged friends.
Pros
- Uses natural aromas of milk and honey
- pH balanced for dogs, so suitable for sensitive skin
- Can be used in conjunction with topical flea treatment
Cons
- A little pricey
- Gentle aroma might not be enough to combat strong odors
7. Scentament Spa Body Dog Deodorize & Detangle Spray
| Volume: | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Harvest Apple |
Best Shot Scentament Spa Botanical Body Splash Harvest Apple Dog & Cat Deodorize & Detangle Spray is an alcohol-free spray with a natural aroma of apple, although other aromas are available from the same brand. Other natural extracts include chamomile, ginseng, rosemary, rosehip, and sage.
The spray is a little expensive, but it also works as a detangler, which could save you money by not having to buy a separate detangling spray. The scent of apple is strong enough that you can smell it and it lasts a reasonable time on the dog, so you won’t feel the need to constantly spray and refresh.
Pros
- Detangles and deodorizes
- Smells of apple
- Infused with a variety of natural extracts
8. PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Cologne Spray
| Volume: | 12 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Fresh Floral |
PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Cologne Spray comes in a fresh floral scent, so you can enjoy a natural aroma from your dog between baths and showers. The spray doesn’t need water and it doesn’t need to be lathered up to be effective.
The deodorizer is alcohol based and contains “fragrance” which does give it a bit of a chemical smell. But it is inexpensive and it uses a traditional spray bottle that is easy to press and easy to apply. The use of chemicals means that PetAg is not the best option for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies, and it may irritate the noses of human allergy sufferers, too.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to spray
- Easy to use
Cons
- Bit of a chemical smell
- Not ideal for sensitive or allergic dogs
9. Tough Stuff Skunked! Deodorizing Dog Spray
| Volume: | 32 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Fresh Scent |
Tough Stuff Skunked! Deodorizing Dog Spray is an inexpensive spray designed to tackle some of the most pungent aromas, even including skunk spray. It is a water-based solution, but it does contain lanolin, which is a fat, so if you use too much, it can leave a residue on your dog’s coat or furniture. It contains a surfactant and a detergent, so if your dog is especially sensitive to these kinds of ingredients, Tough Stuff Skunked! might not be the most suitable option.
However, it is inexpensive, does a good job on tough smells, and comes in a sizable bottle so you shouldn’t run out any time soon.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Designed to combat even the most pungent smells
- Large bottle will last
Cons
- Not ideal for sensitive dogs or furniture
10. Mr. Groom Cologne & Deodorant Dog & Cat Odor Spray
| Volume: | 6 Fluid Ounces |
| Scent: | Floral |
Mr. Groom Cologne & Deodorant Dog & Cat Odor Spray is an alcohol-based deodorizing spray that has an easy applicator spray but does contain chemicals and is alcohol based. It is designed for use on your dog, as well as cats, and can also be used to freshen up the smell of your furniture and your dog’s bed.
The perfume has a floral scent which is pleasant but has more of a chemical smell than the natural alternatives. Mr. Groom is reasonably priced, and the fragrance will last, both in the room and on your dog, for some time.
Pros
- Long-lasting scent
- Floral aroma
- Inexpensive
Cons
- More of a chemical smell than others
- Contains chemicals
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Deodorizing Spray
Some dogs naturally have a doggy smell, while others are more likely to smell of whatever they’ve been rolling in while outside. In either case, the smell will travel through the house and can get into furniture. But you can’t wash or bathe your dog every day. Dog deodorizer offers a better alternative to daily washing, and, in spray format, it is easy to apply to wet or dry dogs. It can be used whether you are in a rush or just need a daily odor eliminator.
Why Do Some Dogs Smell of Dog?
Natural dog smell can come from a variety of sources. All dogs secrete a variety of oils and other substances, some of which smell as soon as they emerge. Others can encourage bacteria if they aren’t washed or wiped away. Yet more will smell when they combine with other substances. Your dog also picks up smells from other sources. Even if your pup isn’t prone to rolling in poop while out, he could walk through smelly substances, which then transfer to his body when he scratches or grooms himself. Other possible sources include food, dirty water, and even just scents that your dog walks through.
Health Reasons Your Dog Might Smell More Than Usual
If your dog has a particularly pungent smell, it could be a sign of illness.
- Impacted anal glands cause a secretion that can have a very strong and particularly unpleasant odor. Signs of impacted glands include your dog dragging its bottom along the floor to clear the secretions, which can cause the smell to transfer to furniture and carpets, too.
- Dogs that have a lot of skin folds are prone to smelling. When the folds get wet, they can stay moist and this damp environment is ideal for bacteria to flourish, causing a smell. If you have a dog with a lot of skin folds, ensure the folds are kept dry and clean to help prevent this, and if the smell persists, you may need to see a veterinarian to help combat any possible infection.
- Infections, in general, smell. Common sites to become infected and cause a nasty aroma include the gastrointestinal tract, leading to conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Ears can also become infected, which is especially common in dogs with long, floppy ears. The dog is unable to properly clean inside the ear so any injuries, infections, or infestations, can lead to infection.
- The smell could be coming from your dog’s mouth rather than their body. Halitosis is the technical name for bad breath, and other causes of a strong, unpleasant odor from the mouth include dental diseases, plaque buildup, and tartar. Check your dog’s teeth and ensure that you brush them at least three times a week and ideally every day.
When to Use Dog Deodorant
Dog deodorizer shouldn’t be used as a total replacement for bathing and washing your dog. But, if you’re on the go, it can be very beneficial. And it isn’t recommended that you bathe your dog every day, so a deodorizer can be used between baths. If your dog doesn’t smell, avoid using the deodorizer, and apply it when your dog needs it. A natural deodorizer can generally be used more frequently than one that contains harsh chemicals, without the fear of causing skin irritation.
The 3 Benefits of Dog Deodorizing Spray
1. Combat Bad Smells
The most obvious benefit of deodorizing sprays is that they combat nasty smells. Some can be used on furniture and even on other pets in the house, as well as on dogs, so you can take a multi-pronged approach to the problem. Getting rid of smells on furniture also helps prevent the smell from transferring back to your dog after you have him smelling fresh.
2. Avoid Giving Too Many Baths
Bathing your dog is the most common means of getting rid of bad smells, but you can’t bathe a dog too often or it strips the natural oils from their skin and can cause skin problems. Using a deodorizer is a good way to keep your dog smelling fresh between baths.
3. Easy to Apply
A spray is an easy deodorizer option. Most can be used on dry dogs, hence their viability for daily application, and they don’t need lathering. As long as you can stroke your dog, you should be good to go.
How to Use Dog Deodorizing Spray
Although instructions vary for some deodorizing sprays, the usual method of application is to spray the deodorizer on your dog, work it into the coat, and then leave it to dry. The process is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment or even water.
Features to Look For
There are a lot of different doggy deodorizers available. When looking for the right one for your dog, consider the following features:
- pH Balanced – A dog’s skin is more neutral than the skin of humans, with a pH of about 7.5. A pH-balanced deodorizer will have a pH value roughly the same as a dog’s skin. Anything too acidic or alkaline can cause irritation and may lead to skin problems for your dog. Ideally, the deodorizer you choose should either list the actual pH or, at the very least, state that it is pH balanced.
- Water-Based Deodorant Sprays – Alcohol-based deodorizers can also cause irritation to your dog’s skin. As a neutral, non-toxic substance, water is generally considered the most sympathetic base for grooming and care products. Check the primary ingredients of the deodorizers or look for those that specify that they are water-based products.
- Paraben and Sulfate Free Solution – As well as causing irritation, parabens can mimic estrogen. It is believed that long-term exposure to them could lead to a hormone imbalance in your dog. This, in turn, can lead to cancerous growth. Sulfates are types of surfactants that enable ingredients of different states to combine more easily. For example, they are used to better combine liquids with gases or other liquids. Sulfates can cause irritation to the eyes as well as the skin and may cause serious damage to the eyes.
- Natural Scents – The point of a deodorizer is to get rid of bad smells. One way that these products do that is to replace the bad smell with a good one. Try to avoid deodorizers that use chemical perfumes and fragrances, and instead opt for natural ones. Commonly used natural scents include cucumber, aloe, and honey. These are less likely to cause irritation and bad reactions in dogs.
Conclusion
It’s an unfortunate fact that some dogs smell. Even those that are clean and well-groomed can occasionally pick up aromas from whatever is outside, and all dogs naturally sweat so have the potential to carry an aroma from time to time.
Above are reviews of 10 of the best dog deodorizing sprays to help you combat that dog smell. Hepper Pet Cologne Spray is free from harmful chemicals, parabens, and sulfates, and has a pleasant natural smell that masks the bad smells associated with pet pooches. Arm & Hammer Products Kiwi Blossom Super Deodorizing Dog Spray is an inexpensive option that does not contain any sulfates or parabens and is scented with kiwi and cucumber.
Featured Image Credit: Antonio Suarez Vega, Shutterstocks
