How to keep a dog smelling good
Dog Odor Removers: 8 Ways To Keep Your Dog Smelling Fresh Every Day Without A Bath!
Why is it that dogs love terrible smells so much?
I once had a dog that could find the foulest smelling stuff and then would roll in it just for fun!
That same dog thought it was fun to play with skunks even though every time she did it she got blasted with loads of stink!
Then again, some dogs just seem to have a natural funk to themall the time not just when theyre dirty or sweaty. (Stay tuned Ive got dog deodorant tips below!)
Dog smell can be a lifelong thing that you have to deal with day in and day out especially if your dog has a thick coat.
While you always have the option of giving your dog a good old-fashioned bath, sometimes you dont have time for a dog bath.
Perhaps youre just looking for a quick fix to remove random dog smells. Or maybe you simply want to try something different like a dog odor remover that you can make yourself!
Following are the best ways to keep your dog smelling fresh and clean without having to give your dog a full soaking bath including:
- Dog odor sprays
- Dog fur wipes
- Dog deodorants
- Dog ear cleaners
- Dog dry shampoos
- Dog tooth brushing strategies
- Dog foods that fight bad breath
- Dog deodorizing sprays
- Dog brushing strategies
and other dog odor removers that willmake your dog smell good!
#1 Wipe Your Dogs Fur With Baby Wipes
While they also sell dog wipes at pet stores, baby wipes are gentle enough for a babys delicate skin and your dogs! (Just stay away from the eye area.)
Each wet wipe is pre-moistened with gentle cleansers, conditioners, and deodorizers.
Simply by using a baby wipe as a dog odor remover on the fur and paws, you will help your dog smell fresh and clean much longer.
TIP: Wet wipes are also great for cleaning your dogs muddy paws and smelly bum on occasion. Plus, theyre perfect to carry with you when youre out and about!
Heres what you need to know before using baby wipes on your dog.
#2 Clean Your Dogs Ears
Sometimes the dog smell is coming from your dogs ears.
To quickly clean your dogs ears, take some mineral oil (or baby oil) and put 3 or 4 drops in each ear. Then use a cotton ball to massage the oil inside your dogs ear.
Be very careful! Just as with humans, you can hurt the eardrum if you rub too hard or poke at the inner ear. Go slowly and gently when cleaning your dogs ears.
TIP: Mineral oil and most other dog ear cleaners will not kill ear mites which are typicallythe cause of a dogs smelly ears. So, if your dog is shaking his head a lot or his ears often smell bad and have small brown or black specs inside them, then you have to use a treatment product like Zymox.
Heres a simple2-step process to clean and treat your dogs ears.
#3 Add Fruits And Vegetables To Your Dogs Diet
Doggie bad breath can be an ongoing nuisance.
Its hard to find the right dog odor remover for the mouth though.
One tried and true remedy is to mix some dog-friendly fruits and vegetables in with dry dog food. (Start slow, gradually adding more fruits & veggies into your dogs food over time.)
Your dog may not eat the fruit or vegetables at first but if you keep adding it to their food regularly, most dogs will eventually start eating the new healthy foods.
Here are foods that will help with your dogs bad breath.
#4 Use Baking Soda Or Cornstarch As A Dry Shampoo
Baking soda and cornstarch are good things to keep on hand for a number pet predicaments.
For example, cornstarch can stop a dogs toenail from bleeding if you trimmed it too short. Cornstarch can also help stop the itch often associated with hot spots and dry skin.
Well, cornstarch and baking soda are also useful at removing everyday dog smell!
Simply sprinkle some cornstarch (orcornstarch baby powder
This dog odor remover works amazingly well just like a dry shampoo for humans!
TIP:Some people apply a small handful of cornstarch or baking soda directly on their dogs paws and armpits to remove that sweaty smell after playing hard outdoors in the summertime.
Heres a great tutorial for a dry shampoo dog bath.
#5 Try A Homemade Dog Deodorizer
Lavender is a natural deodorizer that complements cornstarch and baking soda well.
Instead of buying a dog deodorant,doggie cologne
Or, you can add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to a spray bottle filled with water to make a lightly scented dog deodorizing spray.
TIP: A vinegar/water mixture in a spray bottle also neutralizes a smelly dog odor.
#6 Brush Your Dog Regularly
Brushing removes dirt, dander, and allergens from your dogs coat and those areall the things that contribute to a stinky dog.
As a bonus, the more you brush your dog (outside), the more youre preventing all that fur from showing up inside your house!
You wont see immediate results after brushing your dog though. This ones a dog odor remover that works over time.
TIP: The Furminator is quite possibly the best dog brush ever inventedHeres why.
#7 Wash Your Dogs Bedding, Toys, And Gear
The longer the time in between washings, the more likely your dogs stuff smells like dog.
And if the place where your dog spends much of his time has a doggie smell to it, then you can bet your dog smells too!
So if you want your dog to smell fresh and clean, make sure the dogbedding is washed regularly every other week or so (at least once a month). The same is true for your dogs toys, collars, leashes, etc.
This will go a long way towards eliminating doggie smells on your dog and in your home!
Here are some great tips for washing pet bedding, toys, dog clothes, and pet gear.
#8 Brush Your Dogs Teeth
The best way to eliminate your dogs bad breath, is to brush your dogs teeth regularly. (If theres a lot of plaque build-up already, then take your dog in for a professional doggie dental at your vets office.)
Heres how to brush a dogs teeth:
- At random times when you and your dog are both relaxed, start by rubbing your dogs teeth with your bare finger(or yourfinger dipped in peanut butter).
- Later, add a small dab of dog toothpaste on your finger and rubyour dogs teeth with that. (Trust me, dogs love the taste of doggie toothpaste!)
- Eventually, switch from using your bare finger to using a finger brush.(A dog finger brush is less intrusive than a regular toothbrush.)
Personally, I think that using a dog finger brush is the easiest and most effective way to brush your dogs teeth and keep his breath smelling fresh day in and day out.
You should brush your dogs teeth once a week. But if you havent brushed your dogs teeth regularly up til now, then once a week may be too much at first so start with every 2 to 3 weeks instead.
If your dog simply wont tolerate having a finger brush inside his mouth, then try rubbing your dogs teeth with a washcloth. Every little bit helps.
Trust me, as someone who let the plaque build up with one of my dogs, you dont want to pay to have the vet clean your dogs teeth once theyre starting to fall out!
Here are some great tips forbrushing a dogs teethyourself.
Other Ways To Remove Dog Smell
In addition to the links Ive included above, here aresome other helpful resources with dog odor remover tips for your pet and your home:
My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. When Im not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.
6 Ways to Keep Your Dog Smelling Fresh Between Baths
Ah, baths. They can be the most despised parts of owning a pupper, but they are necessary for the health of your dog. Whether your pooch has a knack for finding the last of the mud puddles in the backyard or simply gets a little smelly a matter of hours after a thorough cleaning, bathing your dog every day isnt healthy for your dogs coat or skin. Instead, try one (or more) of these 6 ways to keep your pup smelling clean and fresh between baths!
Brushing
Regular brushing whether your dog has a long or short coat will help remove dirt and allergens which often collect in your dogs fur. Over time these can build up and cause your dogs fur to smell particularly bad.
Brushing can also help reduce shedding by removing dead skin cells, and loose fur. An added benefit to regularly brushing your dog is that it will redistribute the natural oils in your dogs fur for a healthy and clean coat. Not to mention youll be building a stronger bond with your pup!
Pet Wipes
Pet safe wipes are a great way to do small bathing touch ups on your pup. Not only are these wipes handy at getting all of the daily dirt and gunk out of your dogs fur, but they come in all kinds of wonderful scents like mango and vanilla!
Try wiping down your dogs body as well as their paw pads, and rear end for an all over clean. Make sure to keep the wipes away from your dogs eyes because it could cause irritation. If your dog has a particularly dirty face, such as tear stains, try some wipes that are specially formulated for use around sensitive areas like their ears and eyes.
With tons of brands out there youre sure to find the ones that work for you and your pup.
Freshening Sprays
Along the same lines as pet wipes you might also want to give freshening sprays made specifically for dogs a try. These special deodorizing sprays not only give your dogs coat a burst of freshness, but can also help condition your dogs fur.
When you are using these sprays make sure to refrain from spraying your dogs head or face as it could accidentally end up in your pups eyes or ears causing irritation. In fact, the way I have found to be the best way to apply it is to spray my own hands first and run my hands through my dogs fur. Not only will you ensure the safety of your pet, but it will be a lot less intimidating if they think its just another awesome scratch session verses pointing a bottle at them and spraying them with some unknown liquid.
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Dry Shampoo
While no-rinse dry shampoos have been popular with us humans for years only recently have dry shampoos become a big deal with pet parents. There are spray and powder versions available as well as mousse types. You can even try making your own with baking soda, cornstarch, and pet safe essential oils.
Not only do these dry shampoos help neutralize any odors in your dogs coat, but it can also help keep their skin and fur healthy.
Good Oral Care
Something a lot of pup parents dont often think about with regards to keeping our pups smelling fresh is oral hygiene. Dogs can end up with all kinds of dental problems just like humans including tartar and plaque build up as well as gum disease. These dental issues can all lead to not only stinky breath, but other health issues down the line.
By regularly brushing your dogs teeth and providing them with dog safe dental chews is a good way to combat these common oral hygiene issues, including smelly breath.
Clean Dog Bedding
So youve given your dog a bath and tried numerous techniques to keep your dog smelling fresh for longer than a day, but he still smells! Now what?
Try simply washing your dogs bandanas, pjs, bedding, toys, and other items he likes to hang out with. By cleaning all of the dirt, bacteria, and natural body oils off your dogs bedding youll prevent the odors from transferring back to your pup. And if the dog bed insert can be washed dont forget to clean it as well!
Resources
https://www.pawchoice.com/blogs/posts/125080131-5-easy-ways-to-keep-your-dog-smelling-wonderful-between-baths
https://barkpost.com/life/dog-clean-without-bath/
https://blog.myollie.com/dog-bath-alternatives/
https://www.puppywire.com/clean-dog-between-baths/
*The Woof Warehouse is not a specialist or expert in the health of dogs and cannot be held accountable for the health and wellness of your pet. We always recommend seeing your vet for the best care of your beloved pups.
