How to stop a dog from smelling
Dog Smell: How To Stop The Foul Odor
Dog Smell: How To Stop The Foul Odor
If your dog smells, and you are thinking twice about even having your dog inside, then you definitely need to read this article. Your dog does produce a normal odor, primarily through the variety of glands found in their skin, ears, and paws. But your dog can also have a serious and unpleasant smell, such as from skin infections, and other disorders. This article will show you the most common causes of dog odor, and how you can diagnose the cause of your dogs bad smell. I will then show you to most important natural options to quickly and easily stop your dogs foul odor.
The first thing that you need to do is diagnose exactly what is causing the dog odor. Start by properly examining your dogs mouth, and seeing if they have bad breath. Carefully look at the gums and teeth, looking for signs of gum recession, and tooth root abscess. This would require veterinary care. Some dogs with halitosis (bad breath), respond well to remedies for plaque; I have had particular success using a product called Plaque Off.
Ear infections are one of the more common causes of unpleasant dog odor, so you should thoroughly examine your dogs ears. Look at the outside of the ear ( the pinna) and closely look into the external ear canal. It should be clear, a light pink color, and free of any debris. Yeast infections are common in the ear, and they often produce a dark brown, waxy discharge. They respond well to cleaning with dilute Apple Cider Vinegar and water.
The anal glands are often implicated as a source of doggie odor, especially if the smell is fishy. These are scent glands, which historically were important, yet now they are just a nuisance. The glands are normally expressed when your dog has a bowel movement, but can become impacted, and sometimes infected producing the strong smell. You can check your dogs glands, ( use a lubricated rubber glove), inserting your index finger in their anus, palpating the glands at 10 o clock ( on the left), and 2 o clock ( on the right). Apply firm pressure with your thumb and index finger to express the gland. Infected glands are generally weeping, open and very painful; they require veterinary care.
Skin disorders are the most common cause of recurring and strong dog odor; skin infections secondary to allergies is what is most often diagnosed. If your dog has a history of itching, or recurring ear infections, then they likely have some type of allergy. There are a variety of treatments for allergies, but I find it most important to stop the itching, and supplement to decrease inflammation. An antihistamine called Benadryl can be given a the dose of .5mg per lb give it twice a day if needed. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, that can be dosed at 100mg per 10lbs daily. High doses of essential fatty acids are critical, and the usual advised doses I find are too low. You should supplement your dog with either flax oil or fish oil, giving 1000mg per 10lbs daily. That equates to giving 1 tablespoon of flax per 50lbs daily.
Every dog with chronic dog odor problems, or ongoing allergies, should be on a hypoallergenic type dog food. I suggest that you feed your dog a food of simple ingredients, such as fish and sweet potato. Some clients have claimed that raw food was the answer to stopping the allergies and ending their dogs bad smell.
The last, but often most important step in treating your dogs odor problem is with proper bathing and shampoos. Often the smell is from secondary bacteria ( such as Staph), which overgrow in response to the allergy. Choose a medicated type shampoo that is designed to treat mild bacterial skin infections; I prefer ones that contain Sulfur and Salicylic acid. A holistic dog shampoo that can help is Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo. Regardless, the key here is to wet your dog, lather them up and leave on their skin for 10 full minutes; use a clock. You must leave the shampoo on for a long enough period of time to be effective. After 10 minutes, thoroughly rinse. You can safely do this twice a week until the skin no longer smells.
Fear not- if your dog has a strong odor, there is a large number of things that you can do. Be systematic, carefully diagnosing the precise cause of the smell, and then following that up with veterinary care, or an appropriate remedy. If your dog has a skin infection, use some of the remedies I have discussed, in particular the shampoo, but doing it properly.
Dr Andrew Jones
Why Does My Dog Smell So Bad?
Sometimes, a dog odor can go from mild to downright stinky. If youre wondering Why does my dog smell so bad? there are many possible reasons
Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, adds that dogs pick up scents from their environment. Dogs with yards often smell like grass. Dogs from rural homes sometimes smell like hay. With smaller dogs, their owners hold on to them a lot, Bourgeois says. Sometimes they smell like their detergents or perfumes.
According toDr. Jackie Campbell, DVM, DACVD, many of us have misconceptions about giving dogs too many baths. She says its a good idea to bathe your dog monthly, but she sees canine patients who receive weekly baths or even daily showers. On a positive note, dog shampoos often contain ingredients like lipids and ceramides, which can protect the skin and stop it from drying out.
Medical Reasons Dogs May Smell
Secondary yeast or bacterial infections on the skin or inside the ears remain the most common medical reasons dogs have an unpleasant smell. Dog allergies often begin the process, which leads to scratching and licking, behaviors that can open the door for infections.
Secondary skin infections are usually things that we normally live with happily, Dr. Campbell says, but something went wrong that caused overgrowth. Malassezia yeast and staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacteria can overgrow on dogs, causing skin issues and odors. Look for:
- Signs of discomfort: When Dr. Campbell asks if dogs feel itchy, owners may initially say no. However, they often then describe itchy behaviors, including head shaking, licking, or rubbing the body or head against furniture, people, or walls.
- Changes in skin and coat: Dr. Campbell suggests looking for skin color changes, ranging from red to black (a result of chronic inflammation) and for hair loss or spots of shorter coat (which may be the result of dogs nibbling at it).
- Progression: Dr. Bourgeois recommends watching to see if the smell gets worse (or if it doesnt). An increase in odor intensity is meaningful.
- Crust and color: Dr. Bourgeois says, If you notice the smell, and all of a sudden you notice that there is a little bit of crusting and red on them, or their ears are bright red, then thats going to be abnormal.
What to Do if Your Dog Smells
If your dog smells and you notice some of the above symptoms, take them to the vet. Too often, Dr. Campbell says, I hear from owners, Oh, my gosh! I wish I would have found you sooner. Ive been dealing with this for two years, and in 30 days, I have a new dog.
Stick to treatments prescribed and recommended by your vet. Avoid using home remedies, including:
- Borax
- Hydrogen peroxide (especially inside dogs ears)
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Coal tar
Coal tar is a really old product, and its sometimes thought of as being more natural, Dr. Campbell says, but as we became more advanced, we realized that coal tar can act as a carcinogen, and its also so stinky. Dr. Bourgeois explains that veterinarians sometimes will use diluted solutions of vinegar topically to treat yeast infections in dogs. She says, You have to be careful with the concentrations youre using because they can be really irritating and damaging to the skin.
Even if your dog smells bad, its best to let the medicine do its work. Dr. Bourgeois says that covering up dog odors with spray-on fragrances or perfumes can cause more skin irritation. Also, its not a good idea to assume vet-prescribed medications will cost more than store-bought ones. In many cases, vet-prescribed products are more cost-effective and clinically effective because they feature higher concentrations of key ingredients, such as:
After more people spent more time at home with their dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bourgeois says, Its kind of an eye-opener for a lot of our clients to really see what a whole day for a pet with an infection or allergies looks like, and so we are getting more people seeking care because theyre noticing how big of an issue it is.
She adds, If it starts getting worse and worse, reach out again, because we do see things like infections where all of a sudden there are new lesions or your pet is even more uncomfortable. The severity may have increased enough that we feel like its valuable to come in.
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.
