Why Does My Dog Smell Even After a Bath?
So, you’ve tried all of the above methods, and your dog still smells gross. ‘Why??’ I heard you pleading, ‘Why does my dog smell so bad even still? What am I doing wrong?’ Well, my poor soul, there’s a high chance you’ve done nothing wrong. Your dog may just have an infection or bodily that needs your immediate attention.
Working with your veterinarian to switch to a different diet, whether that be grain-free or fish-based, can often solve the problem. However, excessive canine flatulence can sometimes signal an underlying medical issue, so if the air around your pet remains foul, continue to consult your licensed veterinarian until the problem is resolved.
Keeping your dogs teeth clean at home is the first step in solving this problem, but ultimately your pet may need a dental cleaning from a veterinary professional. If you have DefenderPlus coverage offered by AKC Pet Insurance (underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company), you may be reimbursed for a portion of teeth cleaning costs.
There isnt a perfume company out there that has invested in “Eau de Dog,” and with good reason. Most of our pooches have a tendency to be malodorous from time to time, whether its the stench coming from the moisture between their toes, their bad breath, or the unmistakable whiff of foul air as they enter the house after a walk in the rain. Yes, even the best dogs can make our eyes water for a variety of reasons.
Poor diet can contribute to your dogs allergies as well, and can also be the cause of other problems, including yeast infections, which can also lead to foul odors. A diet high in carbohydrates and dog kibble that is highly processed can be the root cause of your dogs allergic reactions. If you think this may be the issue, switch your pup over to a high-protein, non-processed dog food, or try using allergy tablets for dogs that can help with these types of reactions and symptoms.
However, while most odors have a simple solution, some can be caused by more serious underlying problems. Lets take a look at why our four-legged friends smell so bad and what we can do about it.
Both primary and secondary seborrhea are treated with medicated baths, as well as treatment for any of the underlying problems mentioned above. There are other specific medications and supplements that can help, and treatment is tailored to the individual dog by a veterinarian.
Let’s start with one of the most common culprits, allergies. Allergies typically affect pets differently from the way they affect humans. In humans, allergies cause itchy, watery eyes and sneezing, but in dogs, they often manifest themselves as problems with the skin.
Then, of course, there can be other issues that are not as easy to identify. The basics behind an odor from a dog’s skin or coat are pretty straightforward. There is generally some type of infection, a change in the skin’s composition or an alteration to the amount of secretions the skin produces. The difficulty is in trying to figure out exactly what the underlying disease process is that’s causing these skin changes.
To sum up, you’ve probably noticed that bacterial and yeast infections and allergies are mentioned several times. The take-home point with skin disease and chronic odor in dogs is that many different problems may be at work all at once, throwing off the normal healthy balance in a dog’s skin. It can be time-consuming to not only diagnose but to treat successfully. A good outcome is highly dependent on working closely with your veterinarian, following her directions and, above all else, being very patient.
Veterinarians often get asked the question “Why does my dog smell so bad?” People frequently place blame for this embarrassing problem on themselves, thinking that they are not caring for their pets properly. In fact, there can be several reasons why some dogs have a distinctively bad smell.
Dr. Becker Discusses Why Dogs Stink
No matter how much you love your dog, it is hard to love a dog’s stinky scent, especially if she enjoys rolling in dead animal remains or munching on excrement.
Whether putrid or pungent, dog smells should be taken seriously since a bad odor may be a sign of a serious disease.
Here are six reasons why your furry friend smells bad. : jaana eleftheriou / ShutterstockWet Dog Smell
Have you ever wondered why your dog stinks right after a bath? Microorganisms like yeast and bacteria quietly live in your dog’s fur, and as long as the fur stays dry, there’s little odor, the American Chemical Society explains in this video. When your dog takes a bath or goes for a swim, the water causes the release of stinky compounds.
“The water molecules have displaced the smaller volatile compounds which are odoriferous,” explains George Preti, a scientist and expert on body odor, based at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. : Chalermsak / ShutterstockMouth Odors
Pay attention to changes in your dog’s breath. For example, a foul odor that crops up out of the blue could mean she has an infection.
“The odor of a bad tooth infection is very unpleasant,” says Dr. Laurie Coger, a holistic veterinarian and dog trainer.
The breath of a dog with kidney failure can smell like urine, or have a metallic odor, says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a staff doctor at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. If this describes your dog’s breath, she should see a vet right away.
“Without insulin, the body can’t use the food it eats,” Hohenhaus explains. “A diabetic pet will eat tons of food, but they lose weight like crazy, and can’t use the food that’s digested by the body. They break down their own body for nutrients.”
That generates ketones, which produce a distinctive odor on the breath. Some say it smells like nail polish remover, others think the odor is sweet.
“Once you smell a pet with ketones on the breath, you’ll never forget it,” Hohenhaus says.
If your pet has this symptom, take her to the vet immediately. : The Dog Photographer / ShutterstockSkin Problems
If you have a Spaniel, Pekingese, Pug, Bulldog, or Shar-Pei, you need to keep an eye on your pet’s skin folds. These dogs are prone to skin fold dermatitis, a stinky skin disorder.
To avoid infection and a foul odor, cleanse your pet’s skin folds on a regular basis.
“Skin fold cleaning is really important in those dogs,” says Coger, who recommends using skin fold cleansers or baby wipes to gently clean the folds.
Any dog can get a skin infection that smells bad if the skin’s normal barriers are broken down by prolonged dampness, allergies, hormonal disorders, etc. Red, inflamed skin could indicate an infection, Coger says. : Grisha Bruev / ShutterstockEar Infections
If your dog’s ears smell like yeast, she probably has—you guessed it—a yeast infection, which is very common in canines. Bacterial ear infections are also a frequent problem for dogs, and they tend to smell worse than yeast infections
Dogs with long, droopy ears are prone to ear problems, which often go hand in hand with allergies. Dogs with allergies tend to have more ear infections, Hohenhaus says.
“You have to treat the ears and you may have to treat the whole dog for an allergy issue,” she says.
You and your dog’s doctor should explore what’s causing the allergy—whether it’s something in your pet’s food, pollen outside or dust mites in the home. : shipic / ShutterstockGas Attacks
If your dog’s gas is powerful enough to clear a room, she probably ate something she shouldn’t have. If she’s also having diarrhea and vomiting, she may have eaten something really nasty, like a rotten carcass or something in the trash.
Controlling gas is not always as simple as keeping your dog from scavenging. Sometimes increased flatulence is a sign of a serious health problem, Hohenhaus says.
But assuming your dog’s gas is not related to an underlying health issue, Hohenhaus says a change in diet could cut down on flatulence. The best diet will meet your dog’s individual needs.
“Switching to grain-free diets often improves digestion, leading to less flatulence, smaller and less smelly stools, and fewer ear and skin infections,” she says. : Victoria Rak / ShutterstockAnal Sacs
Also known as anal glands, anal sacs are located on either side of the animal’s anus. The walls of the sacs are lined with glands, and the sacs fill up with a foul-smelling substance. Normally, the dog secretes some of it when she poops.
Dogs with impacted or infected anal sacs will lick their backsides excessively or slide their bottoms on the ground to relieve itchiness, Hohenhaus says. The animals may expel a brown substance that smells far worse than feces.
Your pet’s anal sacs can be manually expressed at the vet’s office, Hohenhaus says. Failing to address impacted anal sacs can lead to abscesses and ruptures.
“In spring time, when the pollen comes out, you’ll see more animals sliding their butts along the ground,” Hohenhaus says. “It’s a manifestation of allergies. Talk to your veterinarian about allergy management.” : Lapina / ShutterstockTips for Keeping Your Dog Smelling Good
Most dogs should be bathed about once a month, Coger says. Dogs with longer coats may require more frequent baths, while pups with short coats may go longer between baths.
Make sure to brush or comb your dog when she’s shedding, since dead hair and skin cells can lead to odor, Coger says.
Waterless shampoos can be helpful between baths, particularly for “spot cleaning,” Coger says. “Breeds with facial folds or long hair that may get food on it can benefit from these products.”
Used lightly, baby powder, or simple cornstarch, can help absorb odors. “You need to avoid using large amounts that will cake up,” Coger says.