Body Odor in Dogs
Why Does My Dog Smell Bad?
Don't put your dog outside because he smells bad. Find the source of the odor, and give your dog the love and attention he wants and deserves. The following information will help you determine the source of your dog's offensive odor, and this information will help you control the odor and correct the problem. When your dog smells clean and fresh, you won't mind his presence. Your dog will be happier when you're once again willing to give him the affection he needs, and your dog will be healthier emotionally as well as physically.
Habits of Dogs
Have you ever noticed your dog rolling on his back in the grass and thought he might have an unreachable itch? Your dog might have had an itchy back, but chances are he was rolling in something he discovered on the ground. As disgusting as this may seem, dogs sometimes roll in the excrement of other animals. It makes you wonder why dogs would want excrements on their body, but what we think smells disgusting is fine perfume to a dog.
If your dog is going outside and coming in with a dirty back or a dirty foul smelling streak on his neck and muzzle, this is probably what he was up to. There's really nothing you can do about this problem other than watch your dog while he's outside and stop him when he begins rolling in nature's perfume.
Mouth Problems
Many people think bones are enough to keep their dog's teeth clean, but dogs' teeth require brushing just like people. Tartar can build along the gum line and eventually cause decay. Bad teeth are definitely a cause of odors, but this problem can be corrected and prevented.
Have your dog's teeth cleaned annually, and brush his teeth on a daily basis to prevent odor and decay. Your dog won't mind having his teeth brushed. Toothpaste for dogs is available in beef and poultry flavor, and your dog will look forward to this tasty treat.
In addition, there are a number of dog treats designed to keep a dog's breath clean and fresh, and if the teeth are in good condition, breath freshening treats really do work. If the teeth need to be professionally cleaned, treats will only be a temporary solution for bad breath odors.
Skin Conditions
If your dog has an unexplained body odor, check his skin for redness, irritation, and infection. Seborrhea will cause a body odor, and if a case of seborrhea isn't severe, it may be treatable through medicated over-the-counter shampoo for dogs or dandruff shampoo for people. Take your dog to a veterinarian if a skin condition seems severe or if the body odor is persistent.
Ear Problems
Problems with the ears can be a source of a bad odor in dogs. Look in your dog's ears for visible sores, irritation, oozing, or obstructions. If the source of a bad odor seems to be coming from your dog's ears, take your dog to a veterinarian for a professional examination. Your dog could be suffering from an ear infection. The problem may lie deep within the ear canal, and it may require prescription medication.
The Anal Glands
Dogs have an anal gland on both sides of their rectum. Normally these glands are expressed while the animal is marking its territory, but sometimes these glands become impacted. This is why dogs sometimes scoot their behinds on the floor. Their behinds don't necessarily itch. The dog's behind might be irritated due to anal gland compaction.
If you notice streaks of blood on the floor, a bloody discharge on your dog's behind, and a foul-smelling odor, your dog should be taken to a veterinarian for an examination and professional treatment. Your dog could have a ruptured anal gland and/or an infection. Your dog will require professional care and medication to correct this problem. After treatment, the bad odor should correct itself.
Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentMY DOG IS AN OLD GIRL--I KNOW THIS ODOR IM GETTING MAY BE WHY--
SHE IS CAUGHT UP WITH ALL SHOTS-NO PHYSICAL, tHE ODOR SMELLS LIKE A BAD BEACH AT LOW TIDE,,ITS AWFUL,,IT JUSR STARTING TO GET WORSE, DO oLD DOGS SMELL LIKE THIS,,IM HOPING ITS NOT A CANCER ISSUE,,AS IT COMMON IN HER AGE.
BEFOUR TAKING HER TO THE VET WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS OR HEARD OF THIS SMELL ?,ITS AWFUL AND GOTTEN WORSE PAST 2 DAYS-
ALMOST LIKE A REALLY GROSS SMELLING SEAWEED IF YOU WILL
THANKYOU--
CAROL
I asked a Vet and here is her answer in regards to foul smell from chest. IF anyone else has a better explanation that will be great also :"I have never heard from a smell coming from the chest area. At least nothing that I can think of that would be a big problem. It sounds like you take great care of her! Husky dogs have very thick coats so maybe you need to take her to a professional groomer and have her under coat thinned out. The smell may be lingering in her under coat and that may all you need to do to get rid of the smell. After getting the coat thinned I would try washing her with Selsun Blue (for people with dandruff). Really lather it up and work it into the coat all the way into the skin. Let it sit on her coat for 10 minutes and then rinse it. Do that every day for at least a week and see if that helps. It won't dry out her skin. I think flax seed is a good idea. It definitely won't hurt anything. I would stay away from fish oil supplements as they really smell and that ma
I have a 2 years old husky female and after 1.5 months,I also discover that there is a strange foul smell coming from chest area. As first I thought it was coming from anus area. So she has been on antibiotics but that really has not helped at all. The smell from the chest area is not just a normal doggy smell but a distinctive smell. Not happens all the time but periods through out the day. Anyone know what is wrong with my husky ?Anyone know any remedy for this?
I have a 7yr old male shep/husky mix, just recently we've detected from his chest area a most"foul smell". We are @ a loss as to why...our female does not exhibit any smell other than "normal dog" All vitals are a healthy/happy dog, who's diet is a mix of "RAW"-ground chuck, and chicken necks/backs & every 3rd day they git some kibble (Kibble'n Bit's).
My husband and I have noticed that our dog, too has a metallic odor coming from his anus. When we adopted him he had mange and is still struggling with the skin disorder. He uses a special shampoo weekly given to us by our vet.... I'm so glad we're not alone in this... I'm going to call the vet tomorrow. So strange.
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If you come up with a soltion please let me know.....My dogs odor is coming from her "Body" not the teeth, ears, anal glans..God Help, its really bad..
You'll be happy to know that I took Max to the vet and he did a full blood tox screening.... everything was perfect... he suggested that I try dog food without the omega 3 fatty acids in it until he gets older. Now he is on large breed Eukanuba and he is doing great... no more smell. :) Thanks for your comments they were helpful and I hope your Shih-tzu is fine as well.
My shih-tzu also has a metal smell coming from her anus. It is so strong that we can smell it when she enters the room. I am very concerned about the staff infection comment...I have been reading about this and so far this smell has something to do with the anal glands needing to be excreted. I will call the vet tomorrow. Thanks for this info.
that metal odor is staph, many dogs harbor MRSA.....Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Shar-peis are known carriers, it comes though their skin. To learn more on the subject...http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no12/04-0387.htm The thing is that you can never toltaly get rid of it in his body. good luck