Dolce & Gabbana launches dog perfume for $100 a bottle
Some fancy dog owners are excited about a new dog perfume, but not all veterinarians and pet owners are on board. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
A new line of dog perfume from Dolce & Gabbana is causing a stink among vets and pet owners who question whether it’s safe and appropriate.
The perfume, named ‘Fefé’ in honor of Domenico Dolce ’s poodle, costs $108 (99 euros) for 3.4 ounces. In an Instagram post, the company describes the new "fragrance mist for dogs" as "a tender blend of ylang ylang, musk, and sandalwood."
It’s been certified safe for animals, and its production followed a "Safe Pet Cosmetics" protocol.
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Dolce & Gabbana says the fragrance is "gentle" and "well-accepted" by pets and veterinarians. The product was evaluated by Bureau Veritas Italia, a publicly held company that provides inspection, laboratory verification and certification services.
A woman walks past the Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) store in Spain. (Photo by Xavi Lopez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
"Through a compliance recognition to this protocol granted by Bureau Veritas Italia, participating companies demonstrate their sensitivity in creating products that ensure the safety and respect of the animal, in accordance with established standards," Dolce & Gabbana said.
Dog groomers have expressed enthusiasm over fragrances for pets, but still, not all veterinarians are on board.
"Dogs recognize themselves by smells, they recognize a person by a smell," Federico Coccía, a veterinarian in Rome, told the Associated Press.
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"When the dog arrives, he sees you, wags his tail, but first smells you and then recognizes you because you are stored in one of his ‘smell drawers.’ Therefore, this world of smells should not be changed," Coccia added.
Coccia said skin diseases and other conditions can be harder to detect if dogs’ natural odors are covered up.
"The smell of breath, the smell of earwax are disguised by the perfume. So, it could be a problem even for us vets," Coccia said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.