How to Get Rid of Dog Smell: Effective Tips for a Fresh Home
Nov 25,2024 | puaintapets
Living with a dog can bring a lot of joy, but it can also come with an unwanted side effect - dog smell. Whether it's on your furniture, carpets, or in the air, getting rid of this smell is essential for a fresh - living environment. There are several strategies that can be employed to combat dog smell effectively.
Why Do Dogs Smell?
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Individual differences and health conditions
Dogs of different breeds, ages, and genders may give off different odors. Health conditions also have a direct impact on body odor, and dogs with medical conditions may give off specific odors.
A dog's ear is an easy place to overlook, but it can be a maker of body odor. The moist environment of the ears can easily harbor bacteria, especially in dogs with pendulous ears.
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Anal Gland Problems
Your dog's anal glands need to be cleaned regularly. If not cleaned in a timely manner, anal gland fluid can build up and cause a foul odor.
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Sole of the foot filth
The soles of the feet are the parts of the dog's body that tend to get dirty and are the main source of the foul odor. After going out frequently, dust and mud may adhere to the soles of the feet and form body odor.
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Influence of external environment
In addition to the dog's own factors, the external environment can also have an impact on body odor. The cleanliness of the living environment is directly related to the perception of body odor.
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Oral Problems
Your dog's oral hygiene is also directly related to body odor. Bad breath can be due to poor diet, dental problems or oral infections.
Also Read: Benign Oral Tumors in Dogs
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Direct Relationship to Diet
A dog's diet directly affects body odor. Poor dietary habits can lead to intestinal problems that can affect body odor, including too much flavorful human food and a lack of balanced nutrition, which can exacerbate a dog's body odor problem.
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Skin Problems
Skin problems in dogs are one of the main causes of their body odor. Itchy skin, skin infections, seborrhea, and other skin problems can cause unpleasant odors to emanate from your dog.
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Breed Problems
Some dogs are born with a heavier body odor than others, such as Falcons, Schnauzers, Tibetan Mastiffs, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzus, St. Bernards, Beagles, Rottweilers, and so on.
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Special period
Dogs to the rut, the body will secrete a special sex hormone, easy for the dog to find the opposite sex dog, so this time the body odor will also become unusually strong.
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Secretions
The dog's tear stains, snot and also saliva are all smelly, and the dog likes to lick itself very much, which leads to the odor spreading all over the body.
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Age and skin type
The dog's body is in different states during different growth periods, and the dog's body odor will also change. Puberty is a time when the dog's secretion of substances is relatively high, and the dog's body odor will be heavier at this time.
Do Stinky Dog Ears Mean He's Sick?
Stinky dog ears may mean it is sick, but it can also be caused by other reasons.
I. The relationship between smelly ears and disease
❶Ear Mite Infection
Ear scabies (ear mites) are small parasites that can be easily transmitted during dog walks or grooming. The earwax produced by ear scabies is black like “coffee grounds”, and the more parasites there are, the more itchy your dog will be and the easier it will be to scratch the skin. If you notice that your dog's earwax is black, you may have ear scabies and need to take your dog to the veterinarian.
❷Mold Infection
Long-haired, droopy-eared dogs' ears are especially susceptible to mold growth because of the moisture that tends to smother them. If you don't blow the ears dry after a bath, they may become moldy and produce a bad odor.
❸Inflammation
There are many causes of ear infections in dogs, including bacterial infections and otitis media. The ear will become red and itchy, and the dog will keep scratching. If left untreated, it can worsen and cause hearing loss.
❹Other diseases
Diseases such as secretory otitis media, suppurative otitis media, otitis externa, and boils of the external auditory canal can cause yellow discharge and odor in the ears. These diseases may be caused by obstruction of the Eustachian tube, bacterial infection, infection by pathogenic bacteria or pathogenic microorganisms, and direct attack of pathogens on the external ear canal.
II. Non-disease causes of smelly ears
❶Inadequate ear cleaning
If the pooper scooper is not diligent in cleaning the dog's ears, it will cause the result of “dog ear unclear → accumulated dirt → dog itch to scratch → inflammation pus → dog ear stink”. Therefore, it is necessary to clean your dog's ears at least once a week.
❷Residual water in the ears
Some pooper scoopers in the dog after the bath, although blow-drying hair, wipe the ears, but the ear canal inside the leakage of moisture, especially the ear canal deeper dog, ear moisture is easy to breed ear mites, thus producing a bad smell.
❸Environmental factors
If the dog lives in a humid environment, like some stray dogs, the probability of disease is higher, the ears may grow mites all year round, and there will be skin diseases.
❹Failure to deworm regularly
Ear mites are a type of parasite, and if you don't deworm your dog on a regular basis, you may get infected with ear mites, leading to smelly ears.
How to Effectively Remove Odor from Dog?
①Bathe regularly
Use pet-specific shampoo, choose the right washing products according to your dog's skin type and seasonal changes, usually 1-2 times per month is appropriate, excessive cleaning will damage the skin.
②Ear cleaning
Regularly check and clean your dog's ears to prevent ear mites and bacteria from breeding and causing odors. Use a pet-specific ear cleaning solution and gently wipe the outer ear canal, taking care to avoid penetrating deep into the inner ear canal.
③Oral Care
Regular brushing of teeth and use of pet-specific dental powder and toothbrushes can effectively reduce the incidence of bad breath and oral diseases. In addition, providing teething toys and regular teeth cleaning bones can also help clean teeth.
④Foot cleaning
When your dog returns from an outing, clean the soles of the feet of mud and sand and any foreign matter that may have gotten on them to prevent bacteria from growing and odor from developing.
⑤Anal Gland Cleaning
Squeeze the anal glands regularly to prevent odor and infection caused by the accumulation of anal gland fluid. Squeeze the glands 1-2 times per month for small dogs and every 2-3 months for medium and large dogs.
⑥Diet Adjustment
Provide your dog with a balanced and nutritious diet and avoid overfeeding ingredients that are prone to odor. Add fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation to help promote digestion and detoxification and reduce body odor.
⑦Home environment cleaning
Keep your home dry and ventilated, clean pet supplies (e.g. kennels, food bowls, toys, etc.) regularly, and use pet-specific disinfectants to minimize the growth of bacteria.
⑧Use deodorizers or air fresheners
can effectively remove odors from the air, but choose pet-specific products to avoid stimulating your dog's sense of smell.
⑨Train your dog to defecate at regular intervals
Avoid dogs urinating and defecating anywhere in the house to reduce odor production. If the dog does not know how to go to the toilet, it needs to be trained patiently by the owner.
⑩Use pet wipes
For dogs that can't take a bath (such as unvaccinated puppies or sick dogs), you can use pet-friendly wipes to wipe their bodies and keep them clean.
How to Adjust Diet for Dogs with Odour?
When a dog has an odour, it can be improved by adjusting its diet. Here are some specific suggestions for dietary adjustments.
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Choose quality dog food
Quality dog food contains balanced nutrients that help your dog's digestion and absorption, reducing odour caused by indigestion. For example, dog food that contains high quality protein, moderate amount of fibre and healthy fats can make your dog's faeces smell less, thus indirectly reducing body odour.
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Avoid feeding odour-prone foods
Certain foods (e.g. fish, offal, etc.) may cause your dog's body odour to worsen and should be reduced or avoided.
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Add fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation
Fresh fruits and vegetables help promote digestion and detoxification, reducing body odour. For example, carrots are rich in beta - carotene and vitamin A, which are good for your dog's eyes and skin; pumpkin is a low-calorie, high-fibre vegetable that is rich in vitamins A and C, which aids your dog's digestion and also provides a wealth of nutrients5.
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Offer foods that help with oral health
Bad breath can be due to a poor diet, dental problems or oral infections; offering teething toys and regular teeth cleaning bones can also help to clean teeth, which can reduce oral odour.
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Pay attention to dietary taboos
The food given to your dog should not contain uncooked eggs, fish, milk, etc. as they may contain bacteria that can harm your dog; nor should you give your dog fruits such as grapes and pears as they contain malic acid, which can harm your dog's kidneys if ingested in excess, etc.
When to See a Vet
If your dog’s smell persists despite regular cleaning and care, consult your veterinarian. Underlying health issues such as skin infections, allergies, or hormonal imbalances may be the cause.
FAQs
Conclusion
Getting rid of dog smell requires a combination of grooming, cleaning, and addressing any underlying health issues. By maintaining a regular routine and using pet-safe cleaning solutions, you can enjoy a fresh-smelling home while keeping your furry friend happy and healthy.
Also Read: Removing Skunk Odor from Your Dog: A Comprehensive Guide
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