The product page says the perfume is Safe Pet Cosmetics certified through an Italian program that aims to ensure products are safe for animals.
Your dog may not be a supermodel, but he might smell like one. Fashion house Dolce & Gabbana introduced Fefé , a dog perfume inspired by billionaire fashion designer Domenico Dolce’s dog . «It’s a tender and cozy fragrance created for a fun beauty routine,» the company said. But it might lead you to wonder if perfumes are safe for your dog.
A promotional video for Fefé shows a parade of pampered pooches with a voiceover saying buzzwords like “authentic,” “enigmatic,” “rebellious” and “irresistible.” “No animals were mistreated during the making of this campaign,” the fashion house said in X on Aug. 1. “Their safety was fully protected,” it added. The main scents are ylang-ylang (a tropical tree), musk and sandalwood. The perfume comes with a Dolce & Gabbana dog collar and tag.
The concept of dog scents is not new. Pet owners have long sought ways to mask or eliminate their dogs’ odors. Dog colognes, perfumes and deodorizing sprays can be found in pet supply stores. Dolce & Gabbana’s entry into the field puts a high-fashion spin on the idea. Plus, the product comes with a hefty price tag of €99 ($108) for a small green glass bottle with a red cap and a 24-carat gold-plated paw symbol on the front.
Fefé is alcohol-free and its first ingredient is water. It contains fragrance and several different oils, including citrus peel oil and cedarwood oil. “Spray Fefé on your hands or on a brush and proceed to rub or brush your dog’s coat from the middle of the body towards the tail to give him a moment of fragrant pampering,” says Dolce & Gabbana . “Fefé can also be applied directly to your dog’s body, avoiding the nose area,” they adds.
The product page says the perfume is Safe Pet Cosmetics certified through an Italian program that aims to ensure products are safe for animals. The fashion brand also claims the perfume is approved by veterinarians, though it doesn’t offer details on which ones. I’ve reached out to Dolce & Gabbana for comment.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , a nonprofit organization, runs an Animal Poison Control Center to answer questions about potentially dangerous substances. It doesn’t address perfumes specially formulated for dogs, but it does discuss what can happen if a dog licks a person’s skin after the person has applied human perfume.
«Perfumes are mostly made up of essential oils and alcohols, which in small amounts can make your pet wonder what they just tasted, but probably not much more,» she clarifies. The ASPCA declined to comment on Fefé, but shared her dog grooming tips to keep your pup clean and fresh. Recommendations include bathing your pup at least every three months and using a shampoo formulated for pets.
Dolce & Gabbana’s description of Fefé highlights «warm and enveloping» notes of ylang-ylang, a «clean and enveloping» touch of musk and «creamy and woody nuances» of sandalwood. All of these scents are designed to appeal to human sensibilities. Most dogs would happily roll around in a dead fish. Each species has its preferences.
