Scented dog toys: a study puts a number on how much scent changes a toy’s appeal
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Does adding a scent to a toy really change a dog’s behaviour, or is it just a marketing claim? A 2024 US study measured exactly this effect in shelter dogs (see the study). Our comparisons are gathered in the dog toys and enrichment section.
Up to 14 times more time spent with the least-liked toy
Skylar Howard, Lisa Gunter and Erica Feuerbacher tested 34 dogs at a Montana shelter with four toy types (a plush toy, a tennis ball, a nylon bone, a flying disc) and four scents (hot dog, peppermint, duck, an unfamiliar dog), compared against identical unscented toys. Overall, the dogs already preferred the plush toy over the more durable options — but adding scent sharply boosted engagement: dogs spent, on average, 4.2 times more time with their preferred toy once scented, and up to 13.7 times more time with their least-preferred toy once scented.
No universal scent, an individual preference
None of the four scents tested won out across the board: each dog had its own preference, with no clear link to breed, age or sex reported by the authors. It was this individual preference — not a single "magic" scent that works for every dog — that explained the boost in engagement.
What this study does not show
The study measures engagement over short shelter sessions, not the effect over several weeks: nothing here shows whether interest holds up once the scent fades with saliva and handling. It also does not test the safety of home-scenting a toy with human food products meant to be chewed on at length. The shelter setting, where dogs get less stimulation than in a home, may also amplify the effect measured compared with a pet dog already surrounded by toys.
What it changes when choosing or using a scented toy
- A toy left untouched in the basket is worth testing with a scent suited to the dog before being replaced with a new one, keeping in mind that a toy that is too soft loses its own appeal fast — see our article on toy preferences by durability.
- Testing several scents rather than just one remains essential according to these results, since no single scent worked for every dog.
- Commercial products scented specifically for dogs remain preferable to home-scenting with human food, to avoid the risk of ingesting something unsuitable.
- Leaving several toys out at once rather than just one multiplies the chances of spotting the scent or texture that truly holds a dog’s interest — see our article on leaving dog toys out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best scent for a dog toy?
There is no universal one according to this study: the reaction varies from dog to dog, so it is better to test several options than to bet on a single scent.
Does scent replace the need to buy new toys?
No, but it can restore interest in a toy the dog already owns before considering a purchase, which makes it a cheap option worth trying first.
Can I scent a toy myself with kitchen leftovers?
The study does not test this practice or its safety: it is better to use a product designed for canine use than a human food not meant for repeated ingestion. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.