by Charlotte Howard

Created on: May 21, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

A smelly dog can be almost offensive, and the odor can be caused by many factors. It may just be that the dog is unclean and needs a bath, or it could be the symptom of an underlying problem. Before learning how to deal with a smelly dog, you need to know what is causing the odor.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Dogs love running around and rolling in everything! It is a sign of marking their territory, leaving their scent through glands in the skin. It is also a way of removing dead hair when they are moulting. Sometimes, however, they will roll in mud, dust, fox or badger mess and worse. It clings to their hair, especially if they are a long or wire haired breed and makes them smell awful.

Regular bathing is not always necessary but is a good idea, to keep your dogs coat nice and healthy. Once a month is regular enough, as dogs generally keep themselves well groomed with their tongues and teeth.

Use a special dog shampoo available from your local pet shop or vet. Human shampoos, even some baby shampoos, can be too harsh for their skin and cause allergic reactions such as rashes and hair loss. Make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all of the soap. There are herbal shampoos available, which claim to help deter parasites and flies, but do not rely on these alone.

Bad breath can sometimes become very severe. Ensure you brush your dogs teeth regularly to prevent this. Some pastes are available that you can simply place on their foods. Cleaning their teeth will not only freshen their breath but also promote good dental hygiene and lessen the chance of dental problems. Giving dogs biscuits every day can also help.

Underlying Problems and Conditions

An infection is the most common source of a bad smell. Burst abscesses have a foul almost rotten odor to them. When grooming your dog look for signs of an abscess. A small swelling that seems tender to the touch, or a cut that seeps pus or serum is a sign that an abscess is or has formed. Antibiotics usually clear these up pretty sharpish.

Blocked anal glands can also cause dogs to smell. They tend to scoot around on their behinds and will wash their perineum constantly. This can also be a sign of worms though. Your vet will be able to unblock the gland for you. Sometimes they can become infected, but again a short course of antibiotics will help clear this up. Some dogs are prone to getting blocked anal glands and need regular attention.

If your dogs breath smells it could be, as mentioned above, that they simply need their

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>