Fashion company Dolce & Gabbana have introduced a new alcohol-free perfume for dogs in Italy priced at $108 for a 3.4-ounce bottle.
Some vets are skeptical, arguing it could disrupt the dogs’ sense of smell.
The perfume is named ‘Fefé,’ honoring Domenico Dolce’s poodle, and has been certified for animal use under the Safe Pet Cosmetics protocol.
The protocol aims to ensure product safety for animals akin to human standards, according to Dolce & Gabbana.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
“Through compliance with this protocol, granted by Bureau Veritas Italia, participating companies demonstrate their commitment to creating safe and respectful products for animals,” the company stated at the perfume’s launch.
The company’s website touts positive feedback from both dog owners and veterinarians, claiming the fragrance is “gentle and well accepted by their pets.”
However, some veterinarians expressed concern over the use of perfumes on dogs, arguing it could disrupt their sense of smell and mask odors that signal potential health issues.
“Dogs recognize themselves and others by smell,” explained Federico Coccía, a veterinarian in Rome with a doctorate from the University of Teramo.
“When a dog sees you, wags its tail, and smells you, it’s recognizing you from its ‘smell drawers.’ This olfactory world should not be altered.”
Coccía added that diagnosing dermatological conditions could become challenging if natural dog odors are concealed.
“In cases like sebaceous dermatitis, the smell is part of the diagnosis. The scent of breath or earwax can also be disguised by perfume, posing problems for veterinarians.”
Despite these concerns, some dog groomers and pet owners are enthusiastic about pet fragrances.
Aliof Rilova Tano, a dog groomer at La Boutique delle Birbe in Rome, told AP he supports using fragrances for pets. “Our dogs live with us, so having a perfumed dog on the couch is pleasant,” he said.
Customer Mariarita Ricciardi echoed this sentiment, endorsing natural scents that enhance the quality of a dog’s coat.
Conversely, other pet owners, like Francesca Castelli, view perfuming pets as an excessive humanization. “Using brand perfumes on pets seems overly extravagant,” remarked Castelli, walking her dog in Rome’s Villa Borghese.
The product is a far cry from Tiktok’s newest pet care trend: “Underconsumption Core.”
“Underconsumption core” videos challenge consumerism and advocate a minimalist approach.
The trend has made its way to “Pet Tok” where pet owners are sharing their opinions about dialing it down from endless options of treats and toys to just giving their fur babies what they need.