our daily dose of doggy goodness!

Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Dog(s) of the Day:

Dean and Daisy

Meme of the day: So much hair!

10 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

Do you shop at Costco? Then you know the thrill of saving money. But you might be missing other smart ways to stretch your dollars. Check out our list of genius money hacks—almost as good as that $1.50 hot dog!

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The Nose Knows: Scents That Make Your Pup Say "No Thanks!"

We’ve all seen it: that adorable head tilt followed by a dramatic sneeze or a sudden sprint to the other room. While we might be busy lighting our favorite scented candle or peeling an orange for a snack, our four-legged roommates are experiencing a sensory overload.

A dog’s sense of smell is roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than ours. To put that in perspective, while we might smell a hint of perfume in a room, your dog can essentially smell who wore that perfume three days ago. Because their "sniffers" are so sensitive, many scents we find refreshing are actually overwhelming—or even painful—for them.

Here are the top scents that usually land on a dog’s "Must Avoid" list.

Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash

The Citrus Sting

Lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits might smell like a summer breeze to us, but to a dog, they are incredibly pungent. The strong acidity in citrus oils can irritate a dog’s respiratory tract.

• Pro Tip: This is why many "stay away" pet sprays are citrus-scented!

Vinegar: The Sour Enemy

Vinegar is a DIY cleaning superstar, but its sharp, acidic odor is a major turn-off for canines. While it’s non-toxic and great for cleaning up pet messes, don’t expect your pup to hang around while you’re mopping the floors with it.

Spicy Peppers (Capsaicin)

If you’re chopping jalapeños or habaneros, keep your hands away from your dog’s face. The compound capsaicin creates the heat in peppers, and it can cause sneezing, watery eyes, and even nasal discharge in dogs. It’s essentially the canine version of pepper spray.

Ground Spices

While we love a well-seasoned meal, many common pantry spices are too intense for dogs.

• Cinnamon: Can irritate their mouth and lungs.
• Ground Mustard: Too sharp for their sensitive noses.
• Nutmeg: Actually toxic if ingested in large amounts.

Rubbing Alcohol and Cleaning Chemicals

The "hospital smell" of rubbing alcohol is unpleasant for most humans, but it’s an absolute assault on a dog’s nose. The same goes for bleach and ammonia. These chemicals aren't just smelly; their fumes can be harmful to a dog’s sensitive lungs. Always ensure a room is well-ventilated if you’re doing a deep clean.

Mothballs

These little white spheres are a triple threat: they smell terrible to dogs, they are highly toxic if accidentally nudged or eaten, and the scent lingers forever.

How to Keep Your Dog "Scent-Happy"

If you notice your dog rubbing their nose on the carpet or sneezing excessively after you use a certain product, they might be trying to tell you something. To keep your home a "sniff-friendly" zone:

• Go Unscented: Choose laundry detergents and floor cleaners that are fragrance-free.
• Essential Oil Caution: Always research which oils are dog-safe (lavender is usually okay; tea tree and peppermint are often no-gos).
• Ventilate: Crack a window when using strong-smelling products.

By understanding what smells make our pups cringe, we can make our homes much more comfortable for their incredible, super-powered noses.