16 Everyday Scents that Dogs Can’t Stand

You know that feeling when you’re walking down the street and suddenly smell some awesome food being cooked? And then you walk into an area where a strong whiff of tobacco smoke hits your face, causing you to quiver out of discomfort. Well, the same goes for dogs. If you’re cooking a dish that uses pungent-smelling ingredients, it will probably smell nice to you, but not to your dog. Their noses are much more sensitive and certain scents can cause them to move away from that location.

How Strong is a Dog’s Sense of Smell?

Dogs possess an incredibly strong sense of smell, estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans. To put it in perspective, if you can smell a teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, a dog could detect that same teaspoon in a million gallons of water. Their exceptional olfactory abilities make them excellent for roles like search and rescue.

Do Dogs Have a Stronger Sense of Smell Than Cats?

This depends mostly on the dog breeds. Most dog breeds possess around 150 million olfactory receptors in their noses. But others, including the German Shepherd, Basset Hound and Bloodhound, possess about 125 – 300 million scent receptors. On the contrary, cats have about 45 -200 million olfactory receptors. Regardless, dogs have a superior sense of smell than humans.

Garlic

Despite being able to make dishes flavorful, most dogs don’t like garlic. The strong scent of this herb can irritate your dog’s sensitive nose and make them turn away. Garlic is also toxic to dogs when ingested, so be extra careful if you have pet dogs. Some dogs are naturally curious and may attempt to grab a bite of it.

Onions

We use onions as the base of meals but also in various soups and even for grilling. But the dogs’ heightened sense of smell makes onions unbearable for them. Besides, onions are toxic to dogs and can result in serious health issues. So, try to keep these vegetables far away from your furry friends.

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, the compound that causes their spiciness. While some of us may enjoy a bit of a punch from them, dogs do not. Cooking chilies can be uncomfortable for many people and cause sneezing. Now, think of how strong and irritating the smell must be to dogs.

Ground Spices

Ground spice combinations in meals can improve any dish and make it truly unique. Cinnamon, paprika, and garlic powder can make meals smell inviting. Most times, we associate these spices with food that’ll be tasty. But while you’re cooking, your dog will sit far away from the kitchen. If the spice combination is overwhelming, your furry friend will become uncomfortable.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol has a peculiar, strong smell. If you need to clean a room where your dog likes to stay, it’s best to guide it out of the room. Also, consider opening the windows so the scent of rubbing alcohol doesn’t cause them distress.

Citrus Fruits

Where we see lemonade, dogs see a big no-no. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, tangerines, and limes have a lot of citric acid in them. When you cut the fruit, some of its acid comes out in the form of juice. This releases a familiar citrusy smell that’s refreshing to us but irritating to dogs.

Vinegar

Dogs find the smell of vinegar to be too strong and unpleasant. It’s a scent that their noses can’t tolerate well. Considering the potent aroma of vinegar, dogs cannot stay in any area where you apply it.

Mothballs

Mothballs have a pungent odor that dogs find unpleasant. They are useful for keeping rats, mice, snakes, bats, and squirrels out of indoor areas. Mothballs are also commonly used for getting rid of moths that eat wool. If you need to use them for pest removal, keep dogs away in another location. This will help prevent the pets from accidentally chewing the balls.

Nail Polish/Remover

Nail polish and polish removers contain chemical compounds that have a strong, distinct scent. Hence, they can cause a burning sensation in the nose if inhaled for too long. Dogs, having much more sensitive noses than us, are even more susceptible to this smell. But they’ll move away if they catch even the smallest whiff of it.

Household Cleaners

Scents like bleach, ammonia, and disinfectants can be really off-putting to dogs. These odors can even cause stress and discomfort for our furry friends. As a result of this, they’ll want to avoid the areas you just cleaned. House cleaning is undoubtedly necessary for keeping hygiene levels high. So the only realistic thing to do is to keep the area well ventilated.

Strong Perfumes/Colognes

The familiar scent of a perfume or cologne can cause old memories to pop up. But for dogs, the only thing they want is for you to go away with your scent. No matter the brand of perfume or cologne you use, they are irritating to dogs’ noses.

Fresh Herbs

Many dogs can’t stand the smell of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. You may love cooking with these herbs, but your furry friend likely wishes you’d avoid using them. However, herbs like parsley and cilantro may smell pleasing to dogs. Plus, these herbs are generally healthy when they’re still fresh.

Pine

It’s nice to walk into a friend or family member’s home, and it smells like the forest. There’s something refreshing about the smell of pine. As for what dogs think, pines can go away forever. They don’t appreciate the smell of pine, whether natural or chemical-based. Typically, dogs will steer clear of pine-smelling areas.

Tobacco

Dogs hate tobacco because their sensitive noses pick up on its pungent and harsh scent. Hence, being exposed to the plant makes them uncomfortable. Tobacco smoke is also dangerous to dogs because they can develop lung cancer by inhaling it. If you smoke, do it in well-ventilated areas, but preferably outdoors.

Potpourri

The blend of dried flowers and spices can bring new life to a home with its natural scent. But it can be too intense for dogs to handle. If your dog starts avoiding places with potpourri, reduce the amount of it. This will make the scent weaker, making the environment bearable for the pet. Additionally, consider keeping the areas ventilated to prevent the scent from accumulating.

Coffee Grounds

Most dogs dislike the smell of coffee grounds. Sprinkling coffee grounds in areas you want to keep your dog away from is effective. For instance, dogs won’t pee in places that have a strong scent. So using coffee grounds can keep them away from areas where you don’t want them to urinate.

15 Everyday Scents That Cats Can’t Stand

15 Everyday Scents That Cats Can’t Stand