Why Does My Dog Smell So Bad? How To Fix It [ANSWERED]

One of the worst things that can happen is to have a pet that smells so bad; no one likes to be near a pile of foul-smelling garbage. Every dog owner wants to hug their dog, and dogs enjoy getting attention from their owner. However, when a dog stinks, no one will want to be around it.

Some of the reasons your dog smells are dental disease, skin infection, anal sac issues, ear infection, dental issues, lack of grooming, urinary tract infection, atopy, flatulence or gas attacks, diabetes, and kidney disease. The best way to treat dog smell is by taking care of it ASAP.

Unfortunately, no perfume company produces body spray for dogs. The only way you can prevent your dog from smelling is by properly caring for it; this includes proper feeding, grooming, regular exercise, and frequent visit to your dog’s vet for routine check-ups.

Why Does My Dog Smell Like He Is Rotting?

It is very hard to get close to a smelling dog, no matter how hard you love it. When you notice your dog has a foul odor, you must be very concerned because this is not a usual occurrence. You must never ignore your dog if it has a foul smell, especially if you have been properly caring for it. Below are the reasons your dog smells.

Skin Infection

This is the major cause of foul smell in dogs, especially breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Pekinese. This is because of their wrinkly skin, and also their shortened heads referred to as Brachycephalic.

They are prone to developing skin dermatitis, a disorder caused by close skin contact, which creates a moist and warm environment for surface microbes like yeast and bacteria. These microbes form toxins that cause inflammation and irritation, break down the skin barriers, and result in infection.

Another cause of skin infection is allergies; dogs have different allergies; the common symptoms are watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy skin. As the dog scratches, chews on, and licks its skin, the skin barrier is damaged, and bacteria get in and cause a foul-smelling infection.

Anal Sac Issues

In a dog’s anus, there are anal sacs, also called anal glands, on either side; they contain sweat glands that produce secretions that the dog uses as scent markers. The secretions are excreted alongside the dog’s poop, and other dogs can acquire chemical information when they smell the poop.

If a dog has anal sac issues, which is when the content of the anal sacs is not properly discharged, there is a foul smell, which is often a fishy smell. The anal sacs are swollen and need to be emptied when this happens.

The anal sacs can not discharge the contents when the dog’s poop is not strong enough to release the anal sacs during excretion. It is best to take the dog to the veterinary doctor for treatment if the anal sacs appear full and swollen before it ruptures and causes more pain.

Ear Infection

When a dog has an ear infection, it will smell; the smell comes from the ears’ debris. Allergies are common causes of ear infections; dogs with long droopy ears are prone to develop ear infections because their ear traps moisture that should be dispensed.

Also, if your dog swims regularly and you do not dry its ear properly, it will develop ear infections. Ear infections are very similar to skin infections; as long as the environment is moist and warm, bacteria and yeast will develop. If you perceive a foul odor from your dog’s ears and the dog shakes its head and scratches its ears frequently, take it to a vet immediately.

Dental Issues

Like humans, bad breath is also a cause of foul odor in dogs; it is caused by the accumulation of tartar and plaque in the teeth. In small dog breeds, dental issues like gum disease are a common occurrence, which is why you must never skimp the dog’s regular visit to the veterinary doctor.

Within a few hours of eating, plaques begin to stick to the dog’s teeth, slowly accumulating and hardening into tartar. The tartar and plaques contain bacteria that can cause infections and gingivitis. Also, your dog could stink due to bad breath, resulting from an abnormality in the dog’s teeth.

Abnormalities in the internal organs, gastrointestinal tract, as well as respiratory system can also cause bad breath in dogs. The regular causes of dental issues in dogs are heavy plaque and tartar buildup, poor dental health, periodontal diseases, and dental infections. None of these should be taken lightly.

Flatulence Or Gas Attacks

Some dog breeds can produce powerful gasses to stench a room, especially after consuming something nasty, such as a rotting carcass or moldy trash. In severe cases, flatulence is accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting if the dog recently ate what it should not have eaten.

Sometimes, this is caused by a change in diet, especially when it is sudden. The diet may not agree with the dog’s gastrointestinal system and can result in flatulence. It is best to slowly change your dog’s diet till it is comfortable with it. Stop the dietary change if you notice any slight change in your dog during the diet switch.

Urinary Tract Infection

If your dog smells like urine, the possible reason is that it has a urinary tract infection. This is common in dogs with diabetes; other symptoms are increased peeing, blood in the urine, and pain or straining when peeing. You need to take the dog to the veterinary doctor for a checkup and treatment as soon as possible.

Other reasons your dog smells like urine are kidney stones and fungal infections. Cats with healthy kidneys hardly experience UTIs because the waste they pass out is concentrated, impeding bacterial development. Diluted urine provides the environment for bacteria growth.

More like this: Why Does My Dog Pee When Excited? [And How To Correct It]

Why Does My Dog Smell So Bad After A Bath?

If your dog smells after a bath, it is called wet dog smell, caused by microorganisms like yeasts, bacteria, and natural oils. When these are combined with the bathwater, or water from the pond, lake, or rain, it results in a foul smell.

Some dog breeds like Hounds and Retrievers have sebum oil in their coats; these emit a foul smell when combined with water. Some of the things you can do to prevent your dog from smelling after a bath include;

• Grooming the dog daily to get rid of excess debris and hair.
• Removing discharges from the ears and eyes.
• Dry the dog’s skin and fur thoroughly after bathing or a swim; you should use at least three towels to dry the dog off, or you can use a blow dryer, but the setting must be on low.
• Use scented sprays for your dogs; ensure you use a spray recommended by the veterinary doctor.
• Wash the dog’s bedding regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dogs?

The basic truth is that your dog does not need to be bathed regularly, except it has an underlying skin issue, is smelly or dirty.

Most dogs need to be bathed once a month on average; you can bathe them less frequently. You should not bathe your dog weekly; it will cause irritation and dryness of the skin. However, it is not recommended to exceed the three months between baths.

Final Thoughts

Nobody can stand the stench of a dirty and smelly dog, which is why you need to take proper care of your dog. Your dog’s hygiene is as important as yours; you should ensure your dog is fed nutritional meals, exercises regularly, and receives essential supplements and drugs to remain healthy.

Also Read:

• Why Your Dog Is Peeing On The Bed?
• Why Does My Dog Get Hiccups? Main Causes