What Smells Do Dogs Like and Dislike? A Pooch's Point of View!
Hmm, what’s that distinctly unique odour I can detect? *Sniff sniff*
Why, if it isn’t my favourite human! My canine sense of smell could recognise your mix of joy and delicious dog treats anywhere. The treats are for me, right? Right?!
Now, as much as us dogs may love the smell of our humans, there are also a huge range of smells we simply can’t stand. And importantly, these scents shape how we interact with the environment around us. So, let’s follow my nose and learn a little about what all these different scents mean to us.
A Dog’s Sense of Smell vs Humans
Incredibly, we dogs have a whopping 200 to 300 million olfactory receptors in our noses. In comparison, humans only have about 5 to 6 million. That means a dog’s sense of smell is roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than yours!
Imagine being able to sniff out what you had for dinner three days ago just from the fabric on your clothing. Well, dogs can – and a whole lot more. A dog’s nose can even pick up layers of scent – so while you might smell ‘roast chicken’, I can smell the carrots, the herbs, the oils you’re using, and possibly even the mood you’re in while cooking. We’re amazing, right?
What Smells Do Dogs Like?
Now then, this leads us to a very important question to consider for your canine pal: what smells do dogs like most?
Of course, every dog has their own preferences – just like you might love blue cheese or beets while your friend hates it – but here are some common favourite scents that get our tails wagging:
Meaty Smells
No prizes for guessing this one – we dogs love the smell of meat, cheese, and other protein-rich snacks! These scents trigger the natural food instincts we’ve inherited from our wild ancestors and can be a handy treat for any training exercises.
Our Humans
Your clothes, bed and shoes (sorry not sorry) all smell like you, and that’s one of the most comforting scents of all. Some of us dogs will even carry your socks around like they’re treasure.
Other Dogs
We dogs are a social bunch by nature, and I’m often curious about the scent of other dogs. If you spot me sniffing another dog on a walk or at the park, I’m learning who they are and what they’ve been up to.
Nature Smells
Organic scents like fresh grass, muddy puddles, and garden plants provide some of the best sniffs around. A recent study has even shown that dogs have a particularly strong love for blueberries, lavender, and mint. But why stop there? Some of us also enjoy rolling in strong scents you humans hate, like fox poo – perhaps not your favourite part of walkies!
What Smells Do Dogs Dislike?
Alright, now for the smells that make us dogs back away. Sometimes our canine sense of smell is almost too strong, if you know what I mean:
Citrus
While you humans might think of lemon, orange, or lime scents as fresh and clean, a lot of us dogs find them all sorts of overwhelming and unpleasant. No thanks!
Vinegar
Another one to add to the nope-list – the sharp, acidic smell of vinegar is a great way to send us elsewhere.
Cleaning Products
Did I mention that us dogs have a strong sense of smell? Well, ammonia, bleach, and other harsh chemicals can all irritate our noses and could even cause respiratory issues.
Spicy Foods
Chilli, mustard, wasabi? We’ll pass. These spicy scents are irritating, not appetising.
Onions & Garlic
No, we’re not just being fussy – onions and garlic are actually toxic to dogs. Our bodies know to steer clear (most of the time), so the smell alone is enough to put us off.
Image Alt-text: A white Labrador dog sniffing their human’s face while she laughs.
How Scent Affects Canine Behaviour
Smells shape so much of how dogs think, feel, and behave. When it comes to toys, I’ll often choose my favourites based on how they smell. For example, if it smells like food (or you!), I’m much more likely to pay attention and play with it.
Some clever humans even design toys that smell like bacon or peanut butter. However, bear in mind that we can get used to a scent if it’s always the same. It’s a great idea to rotate these toys now and then to keep things fresh and interesting.
Around the Home & Outdoors
The scents in our home also have a big impact on us dogs. Calming scents like lavender or vanilla can help us relax and feel at ease, depending on our previous experiences with the smell. On the other hand (or should I say paw?), those strong chemical scents like bleach and ammonia can make us feel uneasy or stressed out.
Walks are another prime sniffing opportunity, and they’re not just about stretching our legs or finding the nearest lamppost. Sniffing is hugely important to how we explore and engage with the world. Letting us take our time to sniff the grass, trees, and every single leaf is a great way to provide us with mental stimulation and joy.
Doggy Pheromones
Now then, one last thing to mention: pheromones! These aren’t exactly smells like you know them, but they’re scent-like signals that we dogs can detect using a specific organ, called the vomeronasal organ which is just between our mouth and nose.
Personally, I think these are the key to a happy home. ADAPTIL Calm is my number one pick, as it uses a comforting pheromone inspired by nature that helps us dogs feel secure. Unlike traditional scents, this message works for all dogs, no matter our personal preferences. Simply plug it into an electrical socket in the room in which I spend the most time and leave it to do its thing. And for when I’m on the go, the ADAPTIL Calm Collar helps me feel reassured wherever I am!
To continue learning more about dogs and the way they experience the world around them, continue exploring our blogs online. Or if you’d like to receive the latest news and advice straight into your inbox, why not sign up to our newsletter?
