Why does my dog smell so bad?! There are many reasons your pup might be a little stinky, here are some common reasons why dogs smell as well as how to stop a dog smelling naturally with a pet safe odour eliminator.
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5 common reasons for bad dog smell
Dental problems – “My dog’s breath smells like fish!”
Brushing a dogs teeth is super important, missing this vital care routine can cause big vet bills and stinky breath when teeth aren’t properly cared for (check out the ultimate dog toothbrush here).
Although not a substitute for brushing, chewing treats designed to keep teeth healthy can help reduce plaque and keep your pooches breath smelling fresh (particularly when they eat something utterly disgusting!).
Clinical studies show that dog chews can prevent tartar build-up by up to 80%.
We love this all natural Buffalo Horn. Great for cleaning teeth, dogs love to chew on them and they last forever. Find out why you should never use human toothpaste for your dog here.
Ear infections
Sometimes wax can build up in a dogs ears and cause a mild odour, check weekly and use a dog safe ear cleaner to remove build up.
If the smell coming from your dogs ear is strong and there is any redness or swelling, it could be a sign of an ear infection.
Although most are easily treated with antibiotics, it’s important to see a vet right away as ear infections in dogs can cause further complications.
Ear mites are another common and highly contagious issue in dogs that can be treated by your vet.
Cotton-tipped swabs should not be used to clean your dog’s ears as they can push debris further into the ear canal.
Yeast infections
Yeast infections are common in dogs and can cause red, irritated, or itchy skin or ears, and there is often a sweet or musty odour.
They can occur anywhere on the skin, but are often in skin folds or damp areas. The affected skin may be greasy, or flaky, and it can even cause hair loss in some dogs.
There is usually an underline issue that needs to first be addressed. Then routine bathing, allowing the lather to soak in for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing, with an antifungal shampoo may be beneficial.
Anal gland problems – Metallic smell from dog
All dogs have small glands that sit either side of their bottom and produce a pungent liquid for scent marking.
It’s often described as a metallic smell or fishy smell coming from a dog. Sometimes glands can become swollen or infected and can become painful.
Signs of anal gland issues include your dog biting their bottom, scooting or finding it difficult to poop. Scooting can also be a sign of worms.
Some groomers offer the service of expressing your dog’s anal glands, but speak to your vet if unsure as there could be an underlying health issue.
Gas from bad food
Cheap dog food can have substandard ingredients or fillers that aren’t important to a dogs diet.
These can cause issues with digestion and bad smelling farts in dogs, spending a little more in the short term can have much better outcomes long term and save costly vet bills.
If your dog has recurrent ear infections or skin problems, it could be related to a food allergy.
Switch to a limited ingredient diet or a grain-free dog food with wholesome natural ingredients with no artificial additives or fillers. This can also help with reducing anxiety and over activeness caused by additives in dog foods.
What is a pet safe odour eliminator?
Are air fresheners safe for pets? Many air fresheners contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), chemicals that turn into vapour at room temperature.
These substances can cause issues for both humans and animals including; eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, lethargy and nausea as well as damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system.
Some VOCs can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.
You wouldn’t open a can of paint in your living room to improve the quality of the air, but this isn’t too far removed from what happens when you break out an air freshener.
Pet MD
Ingredients: Do not use anything with formaldehyde, isopropyl alcohol, phenols, or bleach to clean stains. Avoid these ingredients in pet odour eliminators.
Never spray anything directly onto your dogs fur or skin.
Allow surfaces to dry completely before letting your dog lay on them.
Best pet safe air freshener
Enzymatic cleaners break the odour down so that it disappears without harmful chemicals. Most enzymatic pet cleaners target stains in addition to odours. It is important to clean the route of the issue rather than just covering it up.
If there’s still a lingering smell or you just want to spruce up before guests come over use a pet safe air freshener made from natural ingredients like this one from Waft.
It’s free from nasty irritant ingredients like parabens, SLS and microbeads. The formula is also vegan friendly, Waft do not believe in testing on animals either; keeping this spray cruelty free too.
Best pet odour remover that’s made from natural ingredients?
Cover carpets and fabrics with a light dusting of baking soda and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. It will absorb any moisture harbouring bacteria, then hoover it up. No harsh chemicals needed!
Use apple cider vinegar. Make a mixture using 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water, then spray the mixture into bad smelling areas.
Open windows. Sometimes the old tricks are the best, naturally air out your home and get rid of bad dog smells and germs.
How to get rid of dog smell in car
- Wash paws and legs down before you get in the car with a Mud Daddy. Get 10% off with code THEJRUK! We also love this Mud Buster Portable Paw Cleaner for when you’re out and about.
- Get a black light. Dried urine shows up under UV, so any accidents you may have missed can be deep cleaned to get rid of those lingering smells.
- Get a pet car seat, it’s a legal requirement to safely restrain your pup in the car, plus you can confine dirt and odours to the car seat then wash/ replace as needed. Get one here.
How to get rid of fox poo smell on dog
It’s a fact of life that dogs love to roll in fox poop & anything stinky. But why do dogs roll in poo? Research suggests the reason why dogs roll in poo is a hang up from early evolution.
The stench would mask their scent from both predator and prey making them invisible.
A dogs sense of smell is said to be at least a thousand times more sensitive than our own according to canine experts, so it would make sense that this would be such an important part of their behavioural evolution.
Some shampoo, like Fox Poo Shampoo by Animology, is better than others at getting rid of the results of this unsavoury hobby.
