The $5 Spray Pet Owners Swear By For ‘Notoriously Stinky’ Dogs Who Also 'Hate Water’
One thing about dogs, they don't always smell as cute as they look. When you don't have enough time for a full bath, or if your " notoriously stinky " dog "notoriously hates water," you'll be happy to know we've found a solution that pet parents call a "miracle product" for eliminating odors like nobody's business: Arm & Hammer's 'Waterless Bath.' It's a no-rinse, odor-control spray that keeps your home, canine and, shockingly, some cats smelling clean. And unlike the cost of any groomer (and the sedation some pets need to get through a session), it only costs five American dollars. (Bonus: It's just $3 — if your furry friend needs it on rotation from Chewy. 👀)
Reviewers call it a "dry shampoo for stinky doggos ," offering "a quick refresh without the stress of a full bath ."
Galina Zhigalova via Getty Images
Whether your dog hates being wet, you're in between grooming appointments, or just need to stop that wet dog smell ASAP — this spray doesn't play. Coming in a generous 10-ounce bottle with a pump spray top, the fur-friendly spray is easy to administer, absorbing fast "without leaving any sticky or greasy residue ."
Made with baking soda, which has been studied by the government for neutralizing (i.e., stopping) organic odors and a " pleasant , not overpowering" white jasmine fragrance that "lasts for days ," the spray is meant to quell smells from your pup's fur, skin and whatever they've tracked in from outdoors. "I also like knowing it uses baking soda to help neutralize odors instead of just covering them up," one wrote.
People especially love that it's gentle enough for daily use.
Anita Kot via Getty Images
The brand says the spray was designed to be used daily, for regular dog hygiene, after walks or on busy days when your pup is smelling particularly ripe. You'll spray your pup from behind their ears to the tail, taking extra care around their eyes and face, then gently massage the spray through your pet's fur.
Reviewers who say "bath time used to be a struggle " credit the spray for making "keeping my dog clean so much easier." "After a quick brush-through, my dog's fur feels soft, looks shiny, and smells amazing," one said.
"My Poogle puppies allow me to spray it on and brush it in without any ruckus and it covers all of the odors they collect from wrestling around in the grass," another wrote. "Doesn't make their fur greasy looking. Sprays in a nice mist to cover a wide area and still easy to avoid their faces. I only wish I had found it sooner!"
...While being truly tough on odors whether that be the general unpleasant wet dog smell OR the "outside" odor that lingers when they're just in from a walk or potty session.
"I have this product on subscription every four weeks because I have dogs, but I don't want my house to smell like it," another wrote. "Every time I let my boys in from outside, I spray them down with this and it keeps the odor at bay."
One fan with says the spray works so well, their "notoriously stinky Bassett," was allowed back in the living room.
"If you can keep an Aussie fresh, clean, and more importantly smelling good... it's a miracle product," another pet parent gushed . "I needed something that can cut through the stink and grime and this is definitely the most effective waterless bath that we have tried!
And, perhaps, the most miraculous thing about the waterless spray: It even helps out with the cat smell.
If you've ever tried to give a cat a bath, then you know it's more than just a struggle; it's nearly impossible. And just because they "bathe themselves" doesn't mean the cat odor doesn't infiltrate every part of your home. Lucky for you, some feline lovers have had success with this spray, too!
"Doesn't bother my pain in the butt cat," one noted . "He lets me brush it through."
And that's no gentle temperament kitty one-off!
"Easy to use and the cat smells a lot better," another dished on their experience . "There is no way she could be bathed. One of use would never live through it. This was a great alternative to that."
Miracle product indeed!
Reviewers and their furry friends love this waterless bath spray for making canine cleaning so much easier. Read more 5-star Amazon reviews and grab some for under $5.
"Bath time used to be a struggle, but this Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Waterless Shampoo has made keeping my dog clean so much easier.The foam is light, easy to apply, and spreads evenly through the coat. It absorbs quickly without leaving any sticky or greasy residue, which I really appreciate. The fresh scent is clean and pleasant — not overpowering — and it lasts for days.I also like knowing it uses baking soda to help neutralize odors instead of just covering them up. After a quick brush-through, my dog's fur feels soft, looks shiny, and smells amazing.
This is perfect for in-between baths, after walks, or anytime my dog needs a quick refresh without the stress of a full bath. It's especially handy during cooler months when I want to avoid wetting his coat. For pet owners looking for an easy, effective, and pet-friendly way to keep their furry friends fresh,this is a must-have in your grooming kit." — Alexandra Tejada-Strop
"If you can keep an Aussie fresh, clean, and more importantly smelling good… it's a miracle product. Add on the fact that my boy has skin allergies and I'm super conscious of what I put on him. The waterless bath has actually helped with his skin irritation through their pH balancing formula, and I can use it daily with no fuss.For a duo that is always hiking, moving, playing, I needed something that can cut through the stink and grime and this is definitely the most effective waterless bath that we have tried!" — Ashley
"I have this product on subscription every four weeks because I have dogs, but I don't want my house to smell like it,so every time I let my boys in from outside, I spray them down with this and it keeps the odor at bay. It has not damaged their skin. They're not itchy, dry, and flaky. They still have a beautiful coat of fur; however, I do put coconut oil in their food, so there's that. Overall, I am very happy with the spray. I will say it gets a little sticky after a couple of weeks, so you do have to wash them off which you probably should do anyway, so there's that" — Elle
" Works great! The smell isn't too strong or too sweet.My Poogle puppies allow me to spray it on and brush it in without any ruckus and it covers all of the odors they collect from wrestling around in the grass. Doesn't make their fur greasy looking. Sprays in a nice mist to cover a wide area and still easy to avoid their faces. I only wish I had found it sooner!" — Michel Moore
If you haven't peeked at the amazing peproducts that won 2026 HuffPost Shopping Awards , you're seriously missing out. Don't worry though, we pulled three on-sale and budget-friendly dog finds , to be loved by us, you, your pet and your wallet.
Amazon
Yuyqa dog bark deterrant device: An ultrasonic tool that wowed reviewers with ... silence (38% off)
You may tell your dog everything, yet their incessant barking is not a welcome part of the conversation. Last summer, we spotted this futuristic, orange remote that claimed to stop dogs from barking, without shocking them, and we were immediately intrigued. I tgenerally runs for $45.99, but today it's back on sale for just $28.48. Yet, even at its highest price, reviewers agree it's worth every penny. It's become such a major seller with HuffPost readers that it easily earned its HuffPost Shopping Awards seal.
The remote is designed to emit an ultrasonic frequency only dogs can hear, as the sound has too high a frequency for humans to hear. (Because dogs' ears are more sensitive than ours , they can hear a range of noises that we can't.) As an "ultrasonic" device, this trainer emits a sound that inspires them to stop barking — immediately. "I'm stunned at how well this works," a reviewer whose dogs fence fight with their neighbors said. "One quick push of a button and it all stopped instantly. I couldn't believe it. We have 9 dogs between us and they all shut up instantly and stared at me."
$28.48 at Amazon (previously $45.99)
Amazon
Oneisall dog water fountain: A luxe, but practical stainless steel, electric water fountain (20% off)
If you struggle to drink water throughout the day, your pet probably relates. (They really are just like us.) Dr. Danielle Bernal , a veterinarian who specializes in animal nutrition and works on-staff at Wellness Pet Company, says it's common for pets to need a little added encouragement to get their water in. This doesn't mean cheering or bribing with treats; it means upgrading your water dispensing system to make drinking water more appealing.
Bernal and Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at New York City's Schwarzman Animal Medical Center , recommend something this generous 7-liter stainless steel electric water fountain which will likely entice them to drink more. As Fox describes, because these fountains constantly circulate and filter the water, there's less chance for bacteria to grow. This means there's less chance for the water to get...funky, and a better chance of it tasting cleaner and fresher. "Most fountains also cool the water," Fox previously told HuffPost . "Which tends to be more appealing to pets, similar to people!" Even better? It's currently 20% off.
$39.99 at Amazon (regularly $49.99)
Amazon
Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz: For heavy-chewing dogs
We told you, pet oral health is a running theme with HuffPost Shopping Awards' best pet buys. In a story on what veterinarians buy for their own pets, by Senior Shopping Writer, Tessa Flores (which is, of course, worth the read), Dr. Karanbir Randhawa, a radiation oncologist at PetCure Oncology in Mansfield, Texas , recommended Purina's long-lasting Pro Plan Dental Chewz for dogs . Randhawa's dogs are "heavy chewers" that instantly shred even "durable" labeled toys. " The Purina Dental Chews actually last a long time with them (like 20 minutes)," Randhawa said.
Made primarily from super-tough, dried beefhide, reviewers say these protein-packed chews are "best for aggressive chewers. " In addition to giving your pup an engaging activity and a snack, the brand says the chews can help clean your dog's teeth and help with breath control. They're also approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
"My dogs all have really good breath and even my little Maltese consistently impresses her vet with her oral hygiene," a reviewer said. "I don't brush, I give them these chews after dinner every night. I do have to cut them into little strips for my Littles, however some of them are way too thick to cut with scissors so I give those to my big dudes."
Loved by vets, pet parents and chew-happy dogs, these affordable treats were an easy winner.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through "fake" hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there's an exception, we'll tell you why.)
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