How to Make an All-Natural Dog Deodorizer Spray to Refresh Your Pet's Coat

If you have pets, you likely do everything you can to make sure they look and feel their best—even when they are between baths. That's exactly why our friend Chloe Mackintosh of Boxwood Avenue came up with this DIY dog deodorizer spray. "Dogs have a tendency to get themselves into stinky situations, leaving us less than excited about their aroma," she says. "This quick pet deodorizing solution makes it easy to naturally deodorize your pet."

This expert-approved deodorizing spray is made with just a few natural ingredients: glycerin, fractioned coconut oil, and essential oil. These ingredients are safe for dogs and effective at freshening up their fur, says Ivana Crnec, DVM, with Veterinarians.org. Glycerin, an ingredient commonly used in lotions and conditioners to help soothe irritated skin, adds moisture to your dog's fur and acts as a leave-in conditioner. Fractioned coconut oil adds shine and even more conditioning to your pet's coat, leaving it feeling silky smooth between baths. It is also an ideal carrier oil for essential oils, the third ingredient. As an all-natural emollient, it increases distribution, so the essential oils are diluted yet retain their effectiveness.

Adding essential oils to this blend deodorizes your pet naturally. "There are many different essential oils to choose from, but I have selected lavender for its calming properties, and sweet orange for its cleansing and purifying properties," Mackintosh says. "The blend of these essential oils helps cleanse, purify, and calm your pup." According to Dr. Crnec, lavender and sweet orange essential oils have GRAS status (generally regarded as safe), so they are great to use responsibly (diluted and in small amounts). Consult your veterinarian before adding essential oils to your dog's coat, and never use on cats.

To use this deodorizer, spritz onto your dog's coat, comb through, and allow to dry. Do not spray on the face.

While it is safe to use this spray on a daily basis, Dr. Crnec suggests using it every few days, usually before or after regular brushing or combing. "Using the deodorizer as part of the grooming routine will keep the dog fresh between baths (and hopefully extend the period between two grooming sessions)," she says.

Note: This deodorizer will keep for up to nine months if stored in a cool, dry place. Over time, the solution will separate naturally—simply give the bottle a gentle shake before using.