Why Does My Dog Smell?

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Dog odor can be caused by various factors, and if baths or deodorizers don’t work, it may be necessary to visit a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues.

Understanding the reasons your dog may smell foul and finding ways to treat and avoid odor can help you enjoy your furry friend.

Why Do Dogs Stink?

There are various reasons your dog may smell, some of which are more severe than others.

Anal Glands

Dogs have two scent sacs near their rear ends that can become impacted, causing smelly, itchy, and painful symptoms. These sacs act as marking glands, causing dogs to smell rear ends when introduced. If these sacs become impacted, it can cause pain and a smelly secretion on the fur. Another sign of anal gland problems is “scooting,” where the dog drags their bottom on the ground. Consult a veterinarian if your dog exhibits this behavior.

Diabetes

Late-stage diabetes in dogs, a complex disorder involving carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, is characterized by high blood glucose concentrations and insulin deficiency. This condition is common in many adults and aged dogs, as they cannot produce or regulate insulin, leading to poor food use and potential body weakness, ultimately causing a disorder.

Skin Issues

Dogs can suffer from various health issues due to skin infections, allergies, hormonal imbalances, fungal infections, and parasites. Bacteria and yeast grow on the skin, causing a foul odor. Flatulence, a common issue, is often caused by new food additions. Food allergies can also cause skin infections, called atopy, where the skin inflames and produces a foul-smelling oil.

Ear Infections

Ear disease, also known as otitis, can cause a yeasty or sewage-like odor in dogs due to the buildup of pus or cerumen in the ear canal. Various bacteria and yeast can cause infections, and if a dog suffers from allergies or hormonal imbalances, the yeast and bacteria can increase significantly. Dogs with hairy or floppy ears may experience consistent ear problems unless kept clean and dry.

Dental Problems

Poor oral hygiene in dogs can lead to plaque or tartar buildup, causing bad breath. Small breeds are more susceptible to dental issues like gum disease and gingival hyperplasia, which can harbor food particles and produce a rotten smell. Maintaining home dental hygiene is crucial, but a veterinary professional may be necessary for a comprehensive dental cleaning. Ultimately, maintaining good oral hygiene is the first step in preventing bad breath in dogs.

Gas

Excessive or foul-smelling gas in dogs can be caused by an unhealthy diet, often due to an intolerance to an ingredient in their food. Working with a veterinarian to switch to a different diet, such as grain-free or fish-based, can often solve the problem. However, excessive canine gas can also indicate an underlying medical issue, so continue consulting your licensed veterinarian until the problem is resolved.

Yeast Infection

Yeast overgrowth in dogs is a common cause of unpleasant odors, often affecting the ear canals or paws, often referred to as “Frito feet” due to their similarity to corn chips. Common signs include smelly paws, a musty odor, excessive scratching, itchy paws, and butt scooting. To address a yeast infection, it’s essential to assess the dog’s diet, as ultra-processed, starch-heavy foods like dry kibble can encourage yeast growth. While topical remedies can provide temporary relief, a lasting solution requires a dietary change to prevent recurrence.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease in dogs is characterized by an ammonia-like odor in their breath, indicating a lack of toxins elimination. This condition is more common in elderly pets but can also affect adult dogs. Other signs include excessive thirst, increased urination, a dull coat, appetite loss, mouth soreness, and vomiting.

Poor Quality Food & Diet

A dog’s smell can be attributed to a low-quality diet filled with poor-quality dog food. Bad food can damage the dog’s digestive system, leading to foul odors due to imbalanced gut bacteria. If you can’t afford quality food, you may not be ready for it. Make sure to have it in your budget before visiting an adoption center.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Smelling

Dogs don’t sweat like humans, but they perspire from their paws and release light perspiration from their hair follicles. This sweat has a chemical scent, individual to each dog, and can be influenced by external factors such as ear infections, anal sac infections, and bad oral hygiene. To keep your dog odor-free, bathe and groom them regularly, but avoid using too much bathing.

Wipe your dog’s coat with dog wipes or baby wipes, which are gentle enough for their delicate skin and are pre-moistened with natural cleansers, conditioners, and deodorizers. Wet wipes offer an easy and quick alternative to a daily bath, but avoid wiping the area around the eyes. Brush your dog regularly to remove dirt, dander, and allergens from their coat, and increase the amount if your dog shreds a lot.

Use dry or powder shampoos to eliminate grease and odor from your pet’s hair without the hassles or risks associated with a traditional bath. However, using too much dry shampoo may affect your dog’s natural antibacterial skin barrier or clog the hair follicles, stunting natural hair growth and creating a buildup of environmental toxins on your dog.

Use vinegar for a quick rinse to improve your dog’s smell. Mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar with 4 gallons of water, wet the skin, and saturated the coat. Dry the pet without rinsing off the vinegar.

Keep your dog’s bedding clean by washing it at least every other week. Make sure your dog’s ears and teeth are clean using cotton pads with an approved ear cleaning product for dogs or baby or dog wipes. Avoid using cotton swabs since they don’t want to damage the dog’s ear canals.

Frequent teeth brushing will keep both teeth and gums healthy, and your dog’s breath should improve. Use a small toothbrush and dog toothpaste, not human toothpaste, to loosen plaque and eliminate bad odor.

Will Supplements Help?

Probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes are essential supplements for dogs to maintain a healthy microbiome and combat pathogens. Probiotics are friendly gut bacteria that form a defense against pathogens, while prebiotics nourish these and maintain healthy microorganism populations.

Enzymes like protease, bromelain, papain, amylase, and lipase help prevent foul odors by aiding digestion. While researchers debate the necessity of these supplements, users often report reduced symptoms like itching, scratching, bad breath, body odors, excessive shedding, dry or flaky skin, recurring ear infections, diarrhea, and loose or malodorous stools.

Chlorophyll, a green plant pigment, can be added to a dog’s food as a liquid or powdered supplement derived from chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass, or other green plants.

Coconut oil, with its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties, has been promoted as a deodorizing supplement for dogs. Start with 1/8 teaspoon per day for small dogs or puppies and gradually increase the amount every few days to the optimum dose.

Final Thoughts

Dogs maintain their hair and skin through various methods like licking, scratching, dry bathing, and getting wet. Saliva contains natural antiseptics, while rolling and rubbing remove debris and activate sebaceous glands, secreting antimicrobial sebum. Dogs don’t clean themselves like cats, causing a distinctive smell. Preventing diseases and infections caused by stench can be achieved by maintaining a healthy dog, involving proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle.