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In this guide, we\u2019re covering everything you need to know about having a relatively nice-smelling dog. We\u2019ll help you figure out why your dog smells so much, all the daily smells of your dog that you should get acquainted with, potential medical causes for certain smells, and our tips on how to stop your dog from smelling\u2026too badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But we won\u2019t stop there. Inside the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>, we\u2019ve got loads more to share, like all things dog husbandry, grooming and care guidance. We also have a team of professional dog trainers<\/a> that – besides smelling lavishly themselves – will be delighted to answer your questions and help you find the cause of that whiffy odor you\u2019ve been getting from your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dog smells are often red flags for dogs needing to be groomed and cleaned. In some dogs, certain diets can make them more smelly. In others, the oils in their skin, build-up of dirt, wax or yeast in areas can give off quite a whiff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s where some common dog smells come from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog’s ears should not smell bad, but they will have a smell to them. It\u2019s a good idea to check how your puppy\u2019s ears smell when they\u2019re little and healthy so that you know how they should smell normally. Don’t do this for humans though, that would be creepy. Keeping your dog’s ears clean is easy and should be part of your regular grooming<\/a> routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog\u2019s fur should not have much of a smell beyond their own natural dog smell. Dogs don\u2019t sweat the same way humans do, so it will just be their natural oils that make a smell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-haired breeds like Labradoodles<\/a>, Cockapoos <\/a>and Shih Tzus will need bathing<\/a> regularly to remove matted and dead hair and dirt from their coat. Otherwise, they\u2019ll start looking a little hectic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s unlikely for dogs to wear shoes unless they live in extreme weather conditions (Spring in the UK doesn’t count.). This means that your dog\u2019s feet will pick up everything they touch; mud, dirt, germs, and a lot more unpleasant surprises when they go out for walks<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these things combined will make their feet have a natural slightly cheesy smell as they release scent and sweat through their paws. But it shouldn\u2019t be a horrible smell. Think more like Emmental cheese rather than Blue cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the case of breath, your dog will have some smell to their breath, just as humans do. As long as you keep their teeth clean<\/a> this shouldn\u2019t be awful, but it can be diet-dependent<\/a> as to what your dog\u2019s breath smells like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain diets will make dogs smell more. This isn\u2019t always in a bad way, but the diet you feed your dog will come out through their fur and scent glands. This is particularly true if you add supplements containing herbs and spices, which are healthy for your dog but can cause a bit of a pong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog having a funny smell might also be due to health or medical problems. Allergies, dental disease, ear infections, anal gland problems, yeast and bacterial infections can cause dogs to smell. The smell is a sign that the body is fighting against something, which releases an often odor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food, seasonal or environmental allergies can be reasons why your dog smells. This is because when your dog has an allergic reaction, their skin secretes more oil, which can be smelly. They can also make your dog scratch<\/a>, lick and bite themselves<\/a>, which can also result in them smelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog has infected or broken teeth<\/a>, gum disease or other dental problems, it will make their breath and saliva smell bad. If you like sloppy puppy kisses you want to be especially attentive to this. Allergies, ear mites, and infections can all cause your dog\u2019s ears to become inflamed and smell. You\u2019ll often see your dog itching or scratching at their ears<\/a> if they\u2019re sore or infected, so you definitely want to help them prevent this by cleaning your dog’s ears regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s something you probably didn’t want to hear. Anal glands are responsible for your dog\u2019s own unique smell by releasing quite a musky and strong smell of their own when healthy in order for your dog to mark their territory. However, if these become blocked or infected, that unique smell they release will take a sharp turn for the worst. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t something that goes unnoticed by dogs, it\u2019s actually quite painful and uncomfortable. You might see your dog might scoot their bottom on their floor to try and relieve the pain or pressure of impacted anal glands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dog farts can be the worst, can\u2019t they? But while dog farts are a common occurrence, excessive wind can indicate a medical problem. This is frequently caused by overfeeding<\/a> or feeding a type of dog food<\/a> that doesn’t click well with your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida and can give your dog a sweet, or musty smell. It\u2019s typically seen in your dog’s ears, and folds of their skin can become a serious problem if not treated. Yeast problems are often seen in Pugs, Shar Peis and French Bulldogs, so make sure to check their skin regularly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n To stop your dog from smelling, there are several things you can do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a long-haired dog, brush and bathe<\/a> them regularly. If you have a short-haired dog, stick to brushing and cleaning them to keep their skin healthy and their coat free of dirt and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grooming should also include brushing their teeth<\/a>, as dental problems are a big cause of smelly dogs! Oh, and don’t forget to clean their ears. If they need it, then also cut or pluck their ear hair. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewing is a good secret tactic to keep smelly chances out of the picture. Chewing is important for dogs\u2019 dental health and helps fight smelly breath by producing saliva which fights bacteria and neutralizes the pH in your dog\u2019s mouth. Make sure you give your puppy chews<\/a> when they\u2019re teething<\/a> and losing teeth<\/a>. For older dogs, recreational chews and chew toys like Kongs<\/a> will do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get your dog into the routine of having their feet cleaned and wiped when they come in from being outside. This will prevent anything disgusting they\u2019ve walked through to stay on their paws, as well as on your beautiful home and furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blankets<\/a> and beds<\/a> are where your dog will often spend most of their day, so it\u2019s natural for them to soak up doggy smells. Regularly wash them with a non-biological powder to keep them smelling fresh. Otherwise, they\u2019ll literally become nasty hubs of stink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think your dog smells due to their diet, consider switching it. Different diets will suit different dogs’ digestion systems. While some might do great on a raw diet<\/a>, others might be better on a home-cooked diet,<\/a> or commercial wet or dry dog food<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog smells particularly bad and you think it might be due to something fishier, we do recommend you visit your Vet <\/a>and they can take a better look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve made it to the end! We hope we\u2019ve answered all your questions about why your dog smells and what you can do to make it better. You\u2019re probably desperate at this point, trying anything to solve the stinky issue, poor you! Remember that while dogs have a regular doggy smell if they smell really bad, then it\u2019s worth checking with your vet once you\u2019ve been through all our advice on how to make your dog smell more normal. If that makes any sense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/smell-1.png\")
Daily dog smells you need to know about<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ear smells <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fur smells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, short-haired dogs such as Labradors<\/a>, Staffies<\/a>, Beagles, <\/a>and French Bulldogs<\/a> are slightly luckier as they don’t need to bathe so often because it strips the coat and can cause it to be brittle. On the other hand, they may need to be washed after rolling in grass<\/a> or poop<\/a> for the sake of your sofa and sanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPaw and pad smells <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dog breath <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dog smells caused by diet <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/smell-2.png\")
6 Medical reasons why my dog is smelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Allergies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Dental problems <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choose the right toothbrush<\/a> for your dog and keep an eye on their dental health by regularly brushing their teeth<\/a>. Trust us, the awkward teeth-cleaning sessions will be worth it\/ Puppies will often have bad breath when teething<\/a> too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Ear infections <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Anal Gland problems <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Excessive wind <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Yeast infections <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/smell-3.png\")
How do I stop my dog from smelling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Groom your dog regularly <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give your dog chews <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wipe your dog’s feet when they come indoors <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wash bedding frequently <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check your dog’s diet <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Book a Vet appointment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n