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Many of us enjoy wearing perfume. Here, think of your Chanel No. 5, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, Montblanc Femme Individuelle, and many others! Who doesn’t just love a beautiful fragrance? Well, our dogs may not love our unique scents! But what happens when a dog drinks perfume? Will perfume make a dog sick?
Has your dog drunk perfume? Are you worried the perfume will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something like this.
We’ve put together some information about perfume and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Perfume?
Perfume is a mix of essential oils, solvents, fragrances, fixatives, and more in liquid form. The liquid is then used to provide a pleasing fragrance to the human body. Perfume has an ancient history and has been dated back to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley Civilization, and China. From ancient times to now, perfume has been one of the essentials humans can’t seem to do without.
But what happens if a dog drinks perfume? Can it make him sick?
Perfume & Dogs
Unfortunately, perfume can make a dog sick. All the chemicals used to make the fragrance can be toxic to dogs. Not only that, but the chemicals can also irritate and harm a dog’s skin.
Ethanol is one of the worst chemicals in perfumes. This is a substance that can be deadly to dogs.

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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Ethanol Poisoning in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has drunk perfume that contains ethanol:
- Depressed central nervous system
- Urinating/defecating involuntarily
- Depression
- Excitement
- Decreased body temperature
- Slow reflexes
- Flatulence
- Slowed breathing & heart rate
- Acidosis
- Heart attack
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. Let the vet know about how much perfume your dog has drunk. And then try to remember how long ago your dog drank the perfume. This information is helpful to the vet. They can make better decisions on how to help your canine companion.
The good news is that dogs, who receive prompt medical care, have a higher chance of making a complete recovery.
It’s always best to keep perfumes and other scented products out of your dog’s reach. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t always the most discerning when it comes to eating or drinking things!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.

Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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