Passersby reflect in the window of the luxury fashion house boutique of Dolce & Gabbana, which showcases a new dog fragrance called “Fefé” in downtown Rome on August 8, 2024. Dolce & Gabbana has launched a new alcohol-free dog fragrance certified animal-friendly called “Fefé” in honor of Domenico Dolce’s pets. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP) (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
Alberto Pizzoli | AFP | Getty Images
Dolce & Gabbana’s luxury perfume for dogs – which costs more than $100 – has raised concerns among some animal welfare groups.
The Italian fashion brand’s alcohol-free fragrance spray for dogs, which sells for £83 ($105) on its UK website, was inspired by brand owner Domenico Dolce’s pet dog Fefé.
According to the product page, the fragrance combines “fresh and sophisticated notes of ylang-ylang, musk and sandalwood” and comes in a green lacquered glass bottle with a 24-carat gold-plated claw. Company website.
Fefé can be applied directly to the dog’s body (avoiding the nose area), or it can be sprayed on the pet owner’s hands and brushed or rubbed into the dog’s coat.
Dolce & Gabbana said its new products have been certified as suitable for animals by the Safe Pet Cosmetics Program.
However, the fragrance has attracted some concern from animal welfare groups and experts, who warn that the fragrance can interfere with dogs’ sense of smell.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has warned against anthropomorphizing dogs, blurring the lines between what humans and dogs like by assigning human characteristics to them.
“Dogs rely on their sense of smell to communicate and interact with their environment and the people and other animals in it,” RSPCA senior scientific officer Alice Porter said in a statement. “We therefore recommend avoiding the use of perfumes or sprays Strongly scented products such as sprays, especially since some odors can be really unpleasant to dogs.”
Donald Maurice Broom, professor of animal welfare at Cambridge Veterinary School, said products like Fefé could have negative effects on dogs if left on for more than a few minutes.
“The dog’s world is full of subtle odor messages about other dogs, humans, food, and potential dangers. Strong odors can have a negative impact on dogs by masking most odors. It’s like dogs were bred to try to differentiate by sight. Same.
However, the professor noted that dogs can be calmed when they are briefly exposed to fragrant oils such as lavender. Oils such as ylang-ylang contained in Fefé can also have positive effects, he said.
Porter of the RSPCA also pointed out that there are “lightly scented products” that do not use offensive smells or interfere with the dog’s sense of smell and can have a calming effect.
“We know owners want to show their dogs how much they care and give them gifts on occasions like birthdays, but we always recommend choosing a fun and enriching gift for their pet, like a new one. a toy or a tasty treat,” Porter said.
Dolce & Gabbana declined to comment on concerns raised by animal experts.
