Why Does My Dog Smell Bad?
Does your dog smell bad? It’s normal for them to have certain odors, but some can be indicators of health issues. Here’s what to know about pup stink and when it’s a problem.
Key takeaways:
A pup’s normal smell is often dictated by their environment.
A skin or ear bacterial infection can make a dog smell bad.
Your dog’s anal sacs may hold a key to bad odor
Look for changes in your pup’s behavior, ears, and skin as signs of infection.
Don’t try home remedies that may be harmful to your dog’s health.
Routine dog care appointments can serve as early detection of skin or ear infections.
If you are a dog parent working remotely, you likely know when your dog smells bad. A little dog stink is normal. A lot of dog stink could be cause for concern.
This article will outline the reasons your dog might have more odor than normal and when it’s time to visit the vet. Here’s everything you need to know, including warning signs of problems, the benefits of routine dog care, and what not to do.
Let’s get to the bottom of your pup’s stinkiness to answer “why does my dog smell bad?”
Your dog’s environment
Before you saddle your dog with the dreaded “stinky pup” label, consider your environment. Do you have a backyard? If you do, your dog likely runs and plays in the grass and may smell like your lawn. If you live near a farm, your dog might smell like hay. An inside dog that spends a lot of time in your lap might smell like you, your laundry detergent, or some other household product.
Anal sac issues
If your dog is giving off an unpleasant “fishy” odor near its anal sacs (located on either side of the anus), there is an issue that needs to be identified. Small breeds and overweight dogs are prone to issues with their anal sacs. Because anal sac issues can cover so much ground, here are a few common ones in dogs:
Impactions - When dogs go number two, they normally clear out their anal sacs. Sometimes, not everything is cleared out. The result? The leftover fluid dries and causes your pup to become impacted. Watch for soft stools when your dog goes potty. That’s a sign your pup’s anal glands may be impacted.
Abscesses - Left unchecked, impacted glands can become infected. Infected anal sacs look discolored and if they rupture, your dog could suffer additional health issues.
Anal sac tumors - This rare condition prevents your dog from expressing their anal sacs. Tumors can often lead to cancer and spread to other parts of your pup’s body.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from any of the above issues, contact your veterinarian promptly.
Bad oral hygiene
Is your pup’s breath so bad it could knock someone out? Most bad breath in dogs happens for the same reasons people have bad breath. Bad oral hygiene is the most likely culprit. If your dog’s breath is bad, provide dental chews and other oral hygiene-friendly treats. He or she should also have their teeth brushed regularly.
If your pup’s breath is really bad, it may be an indication of an infection or other serious issue, like periodontal disease. As always, check with your vet for proper diagnosis and possible solutions.
Dog gas
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Some dogs have bad gas! This is often caused by digestive trouble. Some dogs have more sensitive tummies while others may develop their stinky flatus because of something they ate.
Before you write off your dog’s foul-smelling emissions as “no big deal,” talk to your vet. While a stinky fart may be nothing more than a bad reaction to an unfamiliar dog treat or new dog food, it’s always safe to know for sure.
Medical reasons that make a dog smell bad
If your pup’s smell is particularly putrid, it may be linked to a bacterial or yeast infection. These infections are most common in dogs’ ears or on their skin.
If your dog has allergies, they may cause dry skin. This dryness leads to scratching or licking, which opens the door to infection and leads to more issues. Skin infections are not inherently bad, however. We live with secondary skin infections throughout our lives. They become problems when Malassezia yeast and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacteria become overgrown. Look for signs of an infection. Since we can’t ask our dogs how they feel, our only recourse is to watch their behavior and physical signs.
Here are a few things to watch for:
Discomfort – Are you seeing more scratching, digging, headshaking, licking of body parts, or using chairs, beds, tables, or other furniture to rub up against than normal?
Coat health – If a dog has a skin infection, you may notice reddish to black color changes on parts of the skin. This comes from inflammation. Also, be on the lookout for hair loss. Some dogs chew their hair to reach the source of their discomfort.
Worsening smell – If your stinky dog is getting more stinky, that’s usually a sign that the infection is getting worse.
Other signs – If your dog’s smell is getting worse, look for other indicators. Are their ears bright red? Is there skin crusting? This might be a sign the infection is worsening.
If your dog smells bad and is getting worse, it’s often a sign that something is going on. As with any unexplained changes in your dog’s physical condition, schedule a vet appointment to get to the bottom of the problem.
What not to do if your dog smells bad (and it’s getting worse)
If your pup’s smell is taking a turn for the worse, don’t write it off as normal dog stink. While they might be acting okay, waiting until there is a noticeable difference in your dog’s behavior is never a good idea. Remember:
Don’t assume your dog rolled in something.
While they might have rolled in something, don’t assume that’s what made a dog smell bad. Give your pup a thorough check. If you don’t find anything smelly, check for signs of infection or allergies.
Don’t use non-dog products in your dog’s ears.
Many home remedies won’t react well with a dog’s body chemistry and may harm your pup. Avoid Borax, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, bleach, and coal tar, for example. Don’t put anything into their ears unless it was specially formulated for dogs. Their ears are far too sensitive for most people-formulated products.
Don’t assume pet products are too expensive.
Some pet parents try to budget by avoiding products formulated for dogs. The opposite is true! Many medicinal pup remedies are loaded with higher concentrations of key ingredients. The result is that you need to use far less of the product to get the job done.
Don’t wait too long to diagnose it.
Even if you do not see obvious signs of infection or allergies, see your dog’s vet. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The purpose of routine dog care visits
Setting up regular monthly routine care visits is a great way to stay up on your pup’s health. Your routine dog care technicians serve as a second set of eyes for you, giving your pup a once-over as they inspect their parts during bathing, brushing, and nail clipping.
A regular schedule also means your technicians can get accustomed to your dog’s behavior. They can ask you questions if they notice something is amiss, and notify you if they find anything has changed since the last visit. They’ll also alert you to any signs of infection on your dog’s skin, ears, or other areas, enabling you to schedule a vet visit before the problems progress.
Do you want another person or team of experts keeping a lookout for your dog’s well-being? Scenthound would love to be your pup’s routine dog care destination. Use our handy store locator to find the Scenter closest to you.