Does Your Dog Have a Stinky Face? This Might be the Cause
My mom has a terrier mix named Silly Boy, who I dog sit often. Silly Boy loves to give me lots of love and kisses, which I welcome. But sometimes a stink emanates from his face, making me shy away from those kisses. We lovingly call it his “stinky face.” The odor always emanates from around the eyes, to which my mom gently wipes them with a warm, damp cloth. My boyfriend has a pit bull, Thor, who never suffers from a stinky face. Don’t get me wrong, Thor can get stinky. He just doesn’t get a stench around the eyes. So this had me pondering: Why does Silly Boy have a stinky face and Thor doesn’t? What causes this malodor? And why do some dogs get it and others do not?
In this post, we will answer all these questions and examine the three main causes of a smelly face.
In most cases, it is normal for a dog to become smelly. Rolling around in dirt and other things gets a dog dirty. A bath solves a stinky dog problem. But there are areas on a dog that tend to cause a smell around the face, these include:
1. Stinky eyes
Excessive tearing is one cause of a stinky face in a dog, gooey eye boogers, or crusty eye build-up can make matters worse.
If left uncleaned, bacteria can accumulate in the fur by the eyes and can cause an unpleasant smell. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to teary eyes than others (see below.)
Some tearing may be serious. But if you see eye tearing along with other symptoms, its always safest to contact your veterinarian,
Symptoms of concern include:
It is important to observe symptoms and the color of the discharge to determine whether your pup has occasional stinky eyes or a condition that warrants a vet visit.
To prevent stinky eyes, simply clean them up with a warm, damp cloth every day as much as needed.
2. Stinky mouth
Stinky dog breath can make you turn up your nose. Dogs get bad breath that can lead to a stinky face.
Just like humans, dogs get plaque, tartar, and build-up on their teeth that give them smelly breath.
Brushing your dogs teeth may be a hard task to accomplish, but just like keeping claws trimmed, it is an important step to your dogs overall health.
Regular brushing is important to prevent future dental problems and even tooth loss. Ask your vet for a toothbrush and specially formulated toothpaste to get you started.
3. Stinky ears
Ears are another source of stench in a pup. In most cases, if you notice a foul odor coming from the ears, it could be a sign of an ear infection. Floppy-eared dogs are more prone to develop ear infections.
If you suspect your pup has an ear infection, take them to the vet right away, since ear infections can be very uncomfortable and painful for your pup.
Preventative care includes cleaning the ear carefully with a cotton swab regularly. Ask your vet for a cleaning solution to help get the task done.
As always, it is important to monitor your pup to make sure a more serious problem isn’t causing the stench.
What to Do If Your Dog Stinks
We love our best friends, and dog lovers are dog lovers for life. But it’s no doubt that our furry friends can smell pretty awful at times. Sometimes, it’s because they rolled in something gross intentionally. Other times, it might be because they have an underlying medical condition. Find out what is causing your dog to smell and how to keep them smelling fresh with these tips.
How do I stop my dogs eyes from tearing?
Wipe the area a few times a day with a cloth dampened with warm water or an eye-cleaning solution that’s made specifically for dogs. Keep the fur around your dog’s eyes trimmed short. Try giving your dog an antibiotic-free nutritional supplement that reduces tear staining.
Dr. Becker Discusses Why Dogs Stink
If your dog has excessive tearing (epiphora) and drainage of the eyes, all of this moisture builds up on hair and skin and creates a nasty odor – indicative of bacteria.