At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs can't stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Here's why — plus, how to use their dislike of citrus to your advantage.
The Root of the Behavior
Dogs are not good at digesting fruit because they have a short intestinal tract and the food passes through it very quickly. They also lack the salivary amylase that is needed to break down carbohydrates and starch before it enters the stomach.
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
Many (but not all) dogs hate the smell of citrus, so using citrus smells like citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and even bergamot can repel some dogs from an area. You can use these smells in scented candles or sprays to see if it keeps your dog away from an area where you don't want them peeing.
You can use vinegar to keep dogs away from your lawn by spraying it around the perimeter of the area you want to be canine-free. Dogs don't like the strong smell of vinegar and thus will be deterred by it.
What veggies are bad for dogs? The following veggies are considered unsafe for dogs: Garlic, Onions, Shallots, & Chives: Garlic, onions, shallots, and chives are toxic to dogs, whether raw or cooked. They have substances that may cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
Good news: your favorite on-the-go breakfast is perfectly safe for your dog to eat. In fact, many dogs love bananas — and that's a good thing since they're high in potassium, fiber, and magnesium.
Available all year-round and loaded with more vitamin C than an orange and more potassium than a banana, kiwi is a sweet fruit that tastes good and provides an abundance of nutritious benefits. But, can dogs eat kiwi? If you're snacking on a kiwi, it's perfectly fine to share with your dog.
Are carrots safe for me to feed my dog?” While some of the vegetables we love are unsafe to feed our dogs, carrots are a perfectly safe and nutritious treat for your dog.
Yes, dogs can eat raw cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces. It's a highly hydrating and nutritious snack packed full of vitamins, minerals and fibre while being very low in calories. To start, just try a small chunk to make sure it doesn't upset your dog's tummy as an unfamiliar food.
To stop dogs from chewing and licking furniture, you can try applying some homemade bitter apple spray to the items. It is a great non-toxic deterrent that will prevent your dog from further chewing or licking. Of course, it is unpleasant for them, but it's also harmless.
For dogs, citrus scents are the enemy. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit–especially in high concentrations often found in household cleaners or essential oils–can cause irritation to your pup's respiratory tract, so keep any fresh citrus fruits out of your dog's reach. You know–just in case.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
It's About Communication and Territory
You know the drill…the sniffing, the circling, and finally, it happens. This process of determining where to poop has much to do with your dog's instinct to tell other dogs who and where they are. They leave their scent by way of scent glands located in the inside of the rectum.
Vinegar is another household item that dogs stay away from due to its strong smell. You can use vinegar straight from the bottle to sprinkle or spray.
Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog's heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.
Are Lemons Safe for Dogs? While the fleshy part of lemons is not toxic to dogs, this fruit still isn't something to feed to your dog. If eaten, lemons could make your dog sick.
The majority of dogs dislike any type of citrus smell including oranges. The real issue is that the smell is just very unpleasant to a dog. This is much like how you just do not like certain smells.
Like the fruit, lemon juice and lemon oil contain substances that are harmful to dogs. Ingesting them can lead to serious or even life-threatening tummy trouble. Lemon juice or oil on a dog's skin can cause irritation, too.