If you have a smelly pooch problem, you might be wondering if you can use an air freshener on your dog to help eradicate this problem. Are air fresheners bad for dogs? Can air fresheners make your dog sick? Are there dog-inspired air fresheners?
Yes, you can use air fresheners on your dog. However, you have to be careful and picky in this regard. Some people believe that it’s a bad idea to spray some air freshener on a dog. While that’s true to some extent, it’s not entirely true. It all depends on the type of air freshener you choose to use.
The most important thing is to use a “dog safe freshener.” While it’s essential to keep your house clean and to smell great, you should never spray a regular household air freshener near or on your dog. You have to be careful with air fresheners if you have a dog as a pet, as they can be harmful to the dog. Use only air freshener products designed and safe for dogs.
In this article, we will explore why you shouldn’t use regular air fresheners on your dogs. We will also look at some of the best dog-inspired air fresheners that are safe for dogs.
So, let’s get right into it.

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Can You Use Air Fresheners on A Dog?
Yes, you can use air fresheners on a dog, but you should not use the regular household air freshener on your dog. There are several dog-inspired air fresheners that are safe to use for your dog. These products are made with your dogs in mind, so they do not contain the chemicals that are likely to harm your little puppy as opposed to regular household air fresheners.
Are air fresheners bad for dogs?
Many air fresheners contain chemicals and ingredients that can be harmful or poisonous to a dog. Some dogs also have an allergy, and when they come in contact with the components of some air freshener, they begin to react negatively. Even naturally produced air fresheners such as the commonly known essential oils like tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
These reasons and more are why some people believe that air fresheners are bad for dogs. Products that contain VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) are usually a cause of issues for dogs’ respiration and may sometimes cause irritations. However, hope is not lost as several great scented air fresheners are not bad for dogs.
Can air fresheners cause my dog to get sick?
The research result has shown that air fresheners contain VOC components that have high volatility. It’s usually in products like that to help the freshener quickly transform into vapor from solid-state. When pets inhale this substance, it tends to cause issues like Eye, throat, and nose irritation or loss of coordination, headaches, nausea, and lethargy. It could also lead to damage to the kidneys, liver, central nervous system, etc.
So, yes, fresheners can make your pet sick, and you won’t know it. Some dog owners could easily mistake such sickness to the dog feeling tired or becoming old. When you notice your dog behaving strangely, you may need to check if it could be the deodorant you choose to use that’s taking a toll on the dog.
Can plug-in air fresheners make my dog sick?
Plug-in air fresheners also do contain VOCs as they are essential to them. VOCs make the fresheners distribute their scent about the room easily and quickly. What makes plug-in fresheners seem worse for a pet is that we usually place them on the floor. Most dogs have a height at that level and would quickly inhale more VOCs than a person.
In some plug-in fresheners, you’ll find VOCs such as Formaldehyde—proven to be a cause of mouth, nose, and throat irritation, Naphthalene usually used in the making of pesticide, but also used in the making of air fresheners, Phthalates suspected to create reproductive issues and other birth defects. Many of these have an untold effect on animal health.
Are there air fresheners for dog smells?
Sometimes, as dog owners, we get used to the doggy bad smell and fail to notice them. However, the smell can quickly build up significantly during the winter when the windows and doors are shut. Wet and muddy dogs can also become smelly, and you may not notice it until someone points it out.
That’s why some dog owners resort to making use of air fresheners like Smells Begone Air Freshener either on their dog or their homes. Several freshener types include spray fresheners, plug-in devices, essential oil diffusers, incense burners, scented candles, and anything that can remove the smell. The choice of air freshener to use is yours to decide; however, only choose designed and safe products for your dogs.
Can I use Air fresheners for my exterior dog kennel?
Your dog kennel is a home for your dog. As a result, it should be a comfortable and safe place for your dog. But, what do you do when your dog kennel stinks so bad? Dog kernels tend to ooze out nasty odors if not adequately taken care of.
A thorough job of cleaning, removing waste, disinfecting surfaces, and air drying is required to maintain a clean kennel. Also, you can use baking soda to neutralize any dog smell in your exterior dog kennel. Baking soda helps to absorb odors. You should put an open box of baking soda in the cabinet where you keep all your dog’s toys and treats. Also, sprinkle on the floor, let it stay overnight, and vacuum it up the following day.
Another challenging task to help keep your dog’s kennel odor-free is to neutralize the dog’s urine. Dog urine is acidic and contains some active enzymes that produce a strong odor. These odors are even more pungent during the summer. A homemade solution to this is mixing one cup of white vinegar and three cups of water in a bowl. Apply the solution onto the area where the urine is. Allow it to sit for a while until it is dry. Then wipe it up clean.
If you are also thinking of using an air freshener for your exterior dog kennels, there are several products tailored made for this. Most of these products require no mixing and can be used directly on dog waste. KennelSol Dog Crate Cleaner and Disinfectant are specially made to effectively eliminate the odors from wet dogs, hamster cages, litter boxes, and other unwanted odors.
What are industrial air fresheners for dog kennels?
When running an industrial pet business like an animal shelter or pet hotel, you must effectively eliminate the smelly dog and animal odors. Before dog owners place their beloved pet in your care, they need to ascertain you can adequately take care of them. And as you know, first impressions matter, which is why you need to always keep an odor-free and healthy environment.
To help eliminate the animal odor, you can use a highly effective industrial air freshener. Most industrial dog-safe air fresheners contain Metazene, a vaporous odor neutralizer that is safe for dogs. They are mainly designed to serve as a long-lasting odor absorber and eliminator and last for more than six weeks. So, you can be sure you always have an odor-free environment.
Best Air Fresheners for Enclosed Space Dog
Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray & Air Freshener
Product Highlights
- Removes odors instantly using natural ingredients—no masking fragrances, no harsh chemicals, and harmful components.
- Works as an odor eliminator for dog smells and even smells from trash cans, bathrooms, etc.
- Works additionally as a deodorizer on fabric and as a refresher for closets, shoes, furniture, pet bedding, and anything else that needs to be deodorized instantly.
- It is biodegradable, and the packaging is recyclable.
Febreze Small Spaces Pet Air Freshener
Product Highlights
- It prevents strong odors from staying around for 45 days on soft surfaces and in the air.
- Eliminates odors with up to 4x and doesn’t mask the scent intensity as a leading cone air freshener
- An all-in-one and convenient odor eliminator that’s longer-lasting with no need for messy refills
- Perfect for every stinky nook or cranny like bedrooms, bathrooms, dog house, and closets
Dog Safe Air Fresheners
We love our dogs but cleaning up after them could be a real chore, especially the unwanted odors they produce. There is a joy and comfort that comes with owning a pet, and there is also an inevitable downside of the odors they produce.
While keeping your house odor free is essential, you also need to be cautious and extra careful if you own dogs as pets. Regular air fresheners usually contain VOC, which is harmful to dogs. This is why you should use a dog-safe air freshener that keeps your house well scented while ensuring your dog is safe from harmful chemicals and toxins.
One thing to look out for before buying an air freshener is the ingredients they are made of. Ensure they do not contain any toxic chemicals that could put your dog at risk. To be on the safer side, you can buy dog-safe products specially made with your pets in mind.
There are a variety of air fresheners produced for this purpose. However, here are some factors to consider before choosing the product to go for. You should go for a product that ticks some or most of the points highlighted below. Here are things to look out for.
- It is formulated with essential oils to become one of the best accessories to keep your dog and home smelling fresh
- It serves as a pet cleaner odor neutralizer that tackles harsh odor with a smell that your dog will love.
- It offers nourishing ingredients that provide dog dry skincare you can trust and pleasant aromas.
- Eliminates smelly odors as a pet odor eliminator that leaves your dog smelling clean and fresh
- It is made with all-natural and botanical ingredients, resulting in a gentle, safe, and yet effective formula
- Its formula is specifically designed for dog’s pH level balanced and great for pets with sensitive skin
Smelly Dog Air Fresheners
What do you do about a smelly dog? Dogs like to get into things that stink. They love the stench, but humans aren’t fond of such odor.
To keep your dog smelling clean and fresh, you need to put in place some hygiene practices besides using air fresheners like Arm & Hammer for Pets Air Care Pet Scents Deodorizing Gel Beads.
- Engage in regular grooming of your dogs coupled with thorough drying. Dogs tend to smell bad when wet because of the microorganisms and bacteria present on their skin. Keeping them well-groomed and properly dried will help keep the odor under control.
- Ensure you keep a good diet and feeding habits. A poor diet can cause yeast infections which can result in a foul odor.
- Use dog-safe air freshener.
Smelly Dog Car Air Fresheners
If your pup loves going on car rides with you, then you have to deal with the aftermath odor. Fortunately, there are many great car air fresheners that help you get rid of the lingering stench left behind after having your pet in the car.
Recommended: One Fur All Pet House Car Air Freshener
You can also follow these tips to help curb the stench that might result after taking your dog on a car trip with you.
- Use a crate to restrain your dog in an area of the car. This makes it easier to clean afterward.
- use a seat cover
- Clean up right away. Ensure you clean up immediately when you return home to make your life easier.
- Have a cleanup kit including wipes, paper towels, and plastic bags in your car. Trust me; they will come in handy.
What Brands Of Air Fresheners Are Safe For My Dog?
There are quite some brands doing quite well in this aspect. You only need to go through the list of air freshener products on online marketplaces like Amazon to find products with a high rating, and you’ll discover that there are a lot of products in this category.
However, for emphasis’ sake, you may want to be on the lookout for Brands like Moso Natural, Mooka, Renuzit—which have several varieties of products to their name. Rocco and Roxie are also a top professional brand known for strength and long-lasting odor eliminator products. Time will fail us to mention brands like One Fur, Arm, and Hammer, etc. You can check them out on the Amazon marketplace.
Are Febreze Air Freshener Dogs safe?
Contrary to the rumors that Febreze is not safe for pets, the ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Center) has reviewed the Febreze air freshener and established that they are safe for use around pets.
It has 100% natural propellant, which makes it safe to use around dogs. However, it is recommended to follow the label instructions for use. Do not spray directly on pets. If ingested by dogs, it could result in a minor stomach upset.
What air fresheners are safe for dogs?
With regards to purchasing deodorizers, there is a fantastic exhibit of decisions accessible. A few types of deodorizer, for example, those omnipresent cardboard pine trees found in vehicles, depend on an aloof conveyance framework. Other air deodorizers are intended to be more forceful, with high-power spray splashes or siphons.
Perhaps the primary decision when purchasing a deodorizer is the aroma. Deodorizer aromas range from botanical to woodsy, and all focus in the middle. Keep in mind that if you own a pet such as a dog, they don’t assimilate scents as we do. Therefore, it’s best to find a product that’s not choky or overpowering. A heavily scented air deodorizer may mask odor well, but you may also find that your dog is frequently becoming sick. Issues like sore throat, headaches, etc., are the common sickness these scents cause.
Another thought when purchasing a deodorizer is the conveyance technique. Many individuals are inclined toward the simplicity of a spray splash can; however, it may not be the best arrangement around indoor pets or little youngsters. A hot oil deodorizer controlled by an electric warming component frequently imbues the air with a consistent scent. Yet, it is an electrical gadget and may draw in some undesirable consideration from pets such as dogs.
Is Air Wick spray safe for dogs?
Yes, Air Wick is safe when you use it as directed. You can use them in your household and even around your dog, and they won’t have adverse effects on them. However, avoid spraying Air Wick directly on dogs as your dog’s skin might refer to them negatively.
They can be toxic when they touch sensitive areas such as the mouth and cause your dog issues such as mouth irritation. In some cases, these reactions can be life-threatening. That’s why using them as directed is very important. Check the can’s body for the direction of use or read more about them online. However, the bottom line holds that Air Wick air freshener products are safe to use even when you have dogs as pets.
Bottom Line on Air Freshener for Dog
A typical household air freshener can harm your dog and make it go sick. As an alternative, get a dog safe air freshener. Better still, get a brand that will eliminate dog and household odor while it still keeps your dog’s health intact.