Many dogs have overlapping folds in the skin… think bulldog, shar peis, pugs, some mastiffs, etc.. These folds can retain too much moisture and microorganisms resulting in the buildup of infection-causing bacteria. Skin folds require consistent cleaning to keep them dry and odor free. If your dog’s skin appears irritated, red or smelly around the folds, he may already have dermatitis or an infection. Over-bathing in an attempt to fend off the odor can cause your dog to have too little oil, causing skin irritation. Talk to your vet about how to achieve a proper balance to keep your dog’s skin folds healthy.
There are so, so many different reasons for a dog to have smelly ears… from lack of cleanliness, continual moisture (from swimming, perhaps), excessive hair on top of or inside the ear canal, etc… And the degree to how bad the ears smell is also significant. A light, yeasty smell may mean nothing more than your dog just needs his ears cleaned. An ear infection has a much stronger, sickening smell and should be reported to your veterinary right away. Stinky, infected ears can often be recognized from a distance… You’ll think, wow, that dog stinks, but upon closer inspection, you find that the dog does not stink, but the smell from his ears is overpowering.
I guess this one goes without saying, but a dirty dog is a stinky dog! If you find bathing your dog on a regular basis too much, please let us help. We have many customers visiting the Holiday Barn Pet Resorts spa on a regular schedule…say, for example, every 3-6 weeks. As an extra incentive, each time you schedule your dog’s return visit, you receive $5 off. Not only do we bathe him thoroughly, but we clean his ears and can brush his teeth upon your request. Unless your dog has a malodorous problem like the ones we have been discussing, your dog will smell amazing after his Grooming visit!
Okay, this may be kind of gross for some people, but a true dog lover will understand… I actually like the way my dog smells. To me, his fur smells sweet and fresh. I remember a friend of mine who, while snuggling and rubbing her face in her dog’s fur, said, “Smells like “life”!” I totally get that!
One more thing… Be sure to keep Fido’s bedding clean. My dog has a bed in nearly every room of the house (I know… spoiled rotten). It’s quite a chore to keep all of his beds clean, but it makes a huge difference in not only his smell, but the way the house smells too. It also helps to wash your dog’s plush chew toys and fleecy ropes. The buildup of saliva can cause your dog’s breath to smell sour.
So many dogs love a good roll, it is perfectly natural behaviour and often thought to be a throwback to their wolf ancestors who did it to disguise their scent. Or perhaps even a way to show off! They certainly do love to do it and seem quite unable to stop themselves! This is easily solved with a good cleansing shampoo. Also washing regularly in a natural shampoo such as Scent & Shine Shampoo will be gentle enough to not upset the skin but effectively cleanse, it will enhance shine and leave behind a beautiful, uplifting scent which we know you and your dog will love.
Any severe smell can of course be a sign of an infection, either internal or external. If you think this is the case it is extremely important to consult a qualified veterinary professional, infections should never be left untreated. For recurring minor infections, Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets are perfect to be used to help prevent the infection recurring. Ideal for inter-digital cycts, minor ear infections or skin flap infections.
However, if your dog’s odour is more extreme and to the point you really can’t stand being near, here are some reasons why:
It almost sounds like a joke, however this is quite a common problem our advisors get asked. Now we all expect our dogs to smell a little and of course that is entirely natural and it is certainly not realistic to completely stop your dog having any odour, it is all part of wonderful dog ownership.
Parsley – The humble Parsley plant is often underestimated, however this green leafed herb is naturally rich in chlorophyll, a natural odour absorbing compound.
When bad breath is a sign of poor oral health in an otherwise healthy dog, there are many steps a dog’s guardian can take to improve the situation. Gum disease occurs when food gets caught between the teeth and forms bacteria, also called plaque. Eventually plaque hardens and becomes tartar which irritates the gums and causes inflammation.
Expect your veterinarian to run several tests, including laboratory work and a physical examination, to determine the cause of sudden and severe halitosis. It’s possible your dog may even need to stay overnight at the medical center for close observation. Some diseases that cause bad breath, such as diabetes, liver and kidney disease, can be fatal if not treated properly.
When gums are inflamed they’re even more susceptible to bacteria, exposing tooth roots to infection and decay. According to Dog Health Guide, severe cases of gum disease may result in an abscess, causing a discharge to drip from the dog’s nose.
However, according to the ASPCA, a persistent foul odor from your pooch’s mouth could be a red flag pointing to a more serious health problem. In some cases, changes in diet or oral care can fix the problem, but if bad breath persists in spite of good habits it may be time to call the veterinarian. Only a thorough examination can determine the cause and treatment of chronic halitosis.
Prevent more serious health problems by recognizing bad breath as a sign of bad health and get your dog proper care. That way, if your dog wants to thank you with big sloppy dog kisses, at least his breath won’t smell bad.
Why Do I Smell Like Garlic With or Without Eating Them?
Have you ever heard someone say that something “smells like a wet dog”? Poor dogs… they get blamed for any bad odor, don’t they? Truth is, your dog shouldn’t smell bad! Sure, some of his “parts” aren’t going to smell like roses, but overall, a bad smell is generally a problem.
Okay, this may be kind of gross for some people, but a true dog lover will understand… I actually like the way my dog smells. To me, his fur smells sweet and fresh. I remember a friend of mine who, while snuggling and rubbing her face in her dog’s fur, said, “Smells like “life”!” I totally get that!
Years ago, when I worked in the Grooming salon at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts, I got to where I could pretty much detect health problems of our guests by the way they smelled. A pungent, yeasty smell was often bad skin issues, or sometimes overly yeasty ear wax; a potent, sharp, spoiled milk kind-of smell was usually an ear infection. And, of course, abnormally bad breath is most certainly an indicator of health problems. I have also noticed by working with dogs that some breeds, like hounds, for example, have a distinctive scent, as do cocker spaniels and others, but some, like poodles, have no discernible scent whatsoever.
Just like us, all dogs have a unique smell, caused by the oils in our skin or what we have ingested. Sniff a dog’s feet and they’re probably going to smell like frito chips or popcorn… Not a bad smell, but some people find it offensive. A dog sweats through his feet, and we can pretty much surmise that a sweaty area is not going to smell good, even on us. But put your nose in your dog’s fur or kiss the top of his head, and you should not detect any bad odor. Bad odors can be the sign of a serious disease.
While we at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts do not claim to be experts on dog health, our experience with handling so many dogs gives us a certain insight. We may not be able to diagnose your dog’s particular malodorous issue, but we can most certainly tell you what is a normal smell and what isn’t.