The perfume, retailing for £83 (US$105), has been named Fefé after brand owner Domenico Dolce’s poodle.

The alcohol-free fragrance mist can be applied directly to a dog’s body – avoiding the nose area – or sprayed onto a pet owner’s hands and then brushed or rubbed into a dog’s fur.

According to the product page on the company’s website, the scent blends “fresh and delicate notes of ylang ylang, musk, and sandalwood” and comes in a green lacquered glass bottle with a 24-carat-gold-plated paw on it.

Dolce & Gabbana said its new product has been certified as suitable for animal use by the Safe Pet Cosmetics programme.

However, the perfume has sparked concerns from some animal welfare organisations. Britain’s RSPCA warned against anthropomorphising dogs by attributing human characteristics to them, blurring the line between what humans and dogs like.

“Dogs rely on their sense of smell to communicate and interact with their environment as well as the people and other animals within it,” said RSPCA Senior Scientific Officer Alice Potter in a statement. “Therefore, we advise that strong-scented products such as perfumes or sprays are avoided, especially as some smells can be really unpleasant for dogs.”