Combating Your Dog’s Odour

We all love cuddling our canines. But, up close, and personal can be downright stinky at times. Some odour is natural, however, a dog that emits an extremely foul smell may require some intervention. Here are some common reasons for dog body odour-

Excessively oily skin

Some dog breeds (especially the hound group) are prone to excessive oily skin. These oils accumulate on the skin and become rancid. 

What do I do?

A bath always helps - ask your veterinarian to recommend a good shampoo. Avoid frequent baths. The oil glands may produce even more oil as a result of frequent washing.

Bacterial or yeast infections

Bacterial skin infections often cause red bumps and rancid odour, in addition to excessive shedding, patchy hair loss, and scaling. Signs of a yeast infection include a rash, an oily coat, and persistent scratching. The skin may also form a scaly, elephant-like appearance.

What do I do?

Consult your veterinarian. Medical shampoos are necessary, but not sufficient. Often, additional treatments are required. 

A roll in a smelly substance

Some dogs just can't resist rolling around in stinky things, like animal droppings.

What do I do?

To help clear the air, bathe your pooch and use good quality dog shampoo.

Prevention is better than cure. Ear infections can have a pungent odour and are relatively common in floppy-eared dogs. Weekly cleaning will help prevent infections as well regular brushing. Do click here to know how to groom your dog and do check out our article ‘How to clean face and eyes’ as well. Your veterinarian can also show you how to check, and sometimes empty, the anal sacs to prevent problems with odour. Always consult your veterinarian if your dog is emitting an odd odour. A simple treatment may be all it takes to help you breathe easier.