You might enjoy the fresh citrus smell of a clean kitchen, but did you know that your dog secretly hates several everyday foods and products?
Find out why dogs are so sensitive when it comes to smells and how you can use this to your advantage. Discover the scents they hate and the products you’ll want to keep away from your canine.
Why Do Dogs Hate Certain Smells?
As humans, we primarily use our sense of sight to understand the world around us, but our canine companions rely far more heavily on their noses. Dogs possess a sense of smell that is between 10,000 and 100,000 times more acute than humans.
Thanks to this increased sense of smell, dogs can pick up odors that our noses can’t detect, and some scents that we enjoy are absolutely repugnant to them.
1. Citrus Fruit
The smell of lemon and other citrus fruits is typical among household products, as humans seem to love this zesty aroma.
However, the scent – emitted when we come into contact with the liquid-filled pockets of these fruits – is not so pleasant for your dog. Canines detest the smell of citrus fruits, and even a tiny amount can irritate their nasal passages.
2. Vinegar
Another substance commonly used around the home for both food and cleaning is vinegar. Many people opt to use this liquid as an alternative to harsh cleaning products.
The strong scent of vinegar and its ability to clean effectively come from the acetic acid it contains. This non-toxic chemical is a natural by-product of fermentation and has many uses. Still, this is a scent that your dog hates.
Some people put this to good use by mixing a vinegar and water solution that they spray on outdoor lawns or furniture to keep dogs away. Avoid using it to clean inside the house, though, as it can seriously irritate your pup––especially if you have a scent hound, like a Beagle or Plott Hound!
3. Household Cleaning Products
You might be thinking that if dogs hate vinegar so much, it’s easy to stick to your regular household cleaning products. Unfortunately, dogs may hate these just as much, thanks to the chlorine and ammonia concentration.
When you use cleaning products in a confined space, such as the bathroom, you know how strong and off-putting the scent can be, and it’s no different for your dog.
Instead, try using natural cleaning products that limit or exclude chlorine and ammonia; if you must use these products, keep the area well-ventilated and maintain a “chemical-free” space that your dog can retreat to whenever they want.
4. Chilli Peppers
Hot peppers – such as chilis or jalapenos – contain the chemical compound capsaicin, which gives them their hot taste. But dogs hate this smell so much that they will often avoid the kitchen whenever you cook these pungent peppers.
In addition, chili peppers or power irritate your dog’s nose and cause them to sneeze excessively, so it’s best to keep these hot fruits away from your canine.
5. Fresh Herbs
Mint or rosemary can provide the perfect burst of flavor to your dinner, but your dog is unlikely to appreciate your culinary skills as you prepare these fresh herbs.
This does have its advantages, though; planting herbs in your garden can deter your dog from digging up other plants. A word of warning; check which plants are safe for your dog before you again to avoid planting anything poisonous.
6. Alcohol
There’s nothing nicer than a Friday evening glass of alcohol to relax after a long week at work. But did you know that many types of alcohol, including vodka and neutral spirits, are particularly pungent to dogs?
While some off-putting scents are a great deterrent to use on your pup, never spray them with alcohol as they can cause skin issues and respiratory problems.
7. Mothballs
The aroma of a mothball gives you a clue as to how toxic these little white balls are. Your dog will hate the smell of these moth deterrents, and with good reason. Just one moth ball is enough to poison your pup; they can also cause significant harm to humans.
There is a high concentration of insect repellent present in mothballs, which is most harmful to creatures who ingest it. While the fumes are less toxic, prolonged exposure can still lead to harmful health effects on people and their pets.
If you have a canine in the family, it’s much easier to eliminate moth balls from your home; the risk just isn’t worth the reward.
Using Pungent Smells to Deter Your Dog
It makes sense to think that if a dog hates a particular smell, you can use it as a deterrent to keep them away from certain areas of your home.
In some cases, this might be true. Cleaning your kitchen bench with a light citrus cleaner will deter them from jumping onto countertops, while a vinegar spray can keep them away from plants and garden furniture.
But you must be careful if you use scents to deter dogs as some can cause skin irritation or breathing issues. Never use alcohol spray as a deterrent and avoid highly concentrated smells such as ammonia-based products.
Unless you know a product is safe, it’s best not to use it around your dog. Household cleaners, in particular, can contain several harmful chemicals that could cause common (but still serious) health concerns in your dog.
