‘Dogs smell, that’s why I don’t want one,’ is often the reason people give for not liking dogs. However, the dog can’t do anything about it and it’s up to the owner to ascertain why the dog smells and then do something about it.
Dogs smell. They smell, well, like a dog. If the dog is healthy, it’s not kept in a confined unventilated space for a long time and the bedding is regularly aired and washed, the smell shouldn’t give offense. However, if your nose tells you that the dog smells bad, the first issue is to find out where the smell comes from and then determine what can be done to get rid of the smell.
Some of the things that can cause a dog to smell bad, and how to treat them.
Mouth hygiene is important as dental problems (tartar) and mouth infections can cause bad breath. Good food and chews that prevent tartar build-up will help, as will brushing the dog’s teeth. Please DON’T use regular toothpaste, but the special doggie toothpaste available at pet shops and vets.
Bacterial skin infections called Pyoderma need antibiotic treatment. Bathing your dog in a good veterinary shampoo will help in less serious cases. Malasezia is a yeast-like infection that can cause the skin to smell like yeast and can be treated by shampoo containing chlorhexidine.
Lip fold infections are mostly found in breeds where the skin folds on itself. You can use chlorhexidine shampoo to gently cleanse the fold, but it may require further treatment at the vet.
Ear infections aren’t only painful but smell like sour milk. You will need a vet to clean the ear, don’t do so yourself unless advised by the vet and showed how to do it. And don’t put any oils in the dog’s ear.
Digestive imbalances can cause the dog to pass the wind as well as have bad breath. It can be treated by probiotics or live yogurt (make sure it says live yogurt on the tub).
Anal glands – nobody’s favorite subject! These sacs under the dog’s tail can smell particularly bad. They need to be emptied by squeezing in the correct place. The dog may need antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment as the glands may be infected.
Cuts and infections can cause a fur mass that is smelly. They need to be treated by a vet if they are deep or badly infected. Hot spots can literary appear and ‘grow’ overnight and need to be treated by a vet. They are painful, smelly and infected and the dog will continue scratching the area.
Paw and nail infections are not only smelly but painful and the dog may limp. Something like a cracked or broken nail may need to be treated under anesthetic. Regularly clipping the dog’s nails may prevent cracks occurring.
In many cases, prevention is better than cure, and giving the dog a regular health check (maybe while grooming it) can prevent painful and expensive treatment later.