7 Reasons Why Some Dogs Stink
Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that dogs aren’t supposed to smell like a freshly-powdered baby. Dogs have their own smell, which is different from humans. With that being said, your dog shouldn’t reek of a disgusting odor. If you bathe your pet on a regular basis and he or she stinks, it is time to find out the reason or reasons behind it. Here are some of the possibilities you should consider.
#1 Your dog may have a yeast infection
One of the most prevalent reasons why dogs become smelly is due to an excess of yeast on their bodies. Extra yeast creates a musty, sharp stench that is commonly compared to rotten cheese, or food that has gone sour. If your dog has a yeast infection, he may develop a moldy odor around his ears and his paws. This may cause him to scratch in these areas, and drag his butt on the ground.
#2 Your dog may be excessively gassy
Everyone knows that it is completely normal for humans and animals to pass gas. If your dog is healthy, it shouldn’t be overly smelly. However, if your dog’s farts are so intense and frequent that they make people run away, something could be wrong. Some potential culprits could be a bad diet, intestinal parasites, a food allergy, or missing digestive enzymes. If other gastrointestinal issues accompany your dog’s excessive gas, it is time for a visit to your trusted veterinarian.
#3 Your dog’s anal glands may be having problems
Your dog’s anal glands are positioned just inside of the rectum. When your dog poops, they naturally secrete a very smelly substance. These anal glands may become inflamed, impacted or infected in certain cases. As a result, there may be a buildup of secretions, which will cause a foul, fishlike odor.
#4 Stinky Ears and Eyes
If your dog has a bad smell, but you are unable to find out where it is coming from, you might want to check his face. Your dog may have an ear infection (caused by bacteria or yeast) that is the cause.
Another possibility is ear mites. They deposit an oily debris that emits a particularly pungent stench. So basically, if you lift up your canine’s ear and take a peek, there should be nothing to see inside. There should be no redness, and no discharge should be present.
If your dog’s ears look good, it is time to check his eyes. Wherever your dog has facial creases, such as the area underneath his eyes, bacteria or yeast can hide there and cause a stink.
#5 Does Your Dog’s Mouth Smell Too Strong?
Logically, your dog’s mouth isn’t going to smell minty-fresh when he leans over and licks you. However, the smell of his breath shouldn’t knock you out either. If your dog is healthy and he has a clean mouth, his breath shouldn’t be too smelly. The only thing you should smell is his dog food if he has just eaten.
If your dog’s breath is really bad, you need to get him checked out. The cause may either be poor oral hygiene or something more serious, such as a problem in the dog’s GI tract.
#6 Problems with Your Dog’s Diet
The diet that your dog eats has an effect on his body, on the inside and out. If your dog is eating food that has ingredients that the dog is allergic to, this may cause the dog to be at risk for many illnesses. Some of these can cause the dog to have an odor that is quite unpleasant. One early indicator of this type of problem is if the dog is having skin problems or if their coat is in poor shape.
#7 Your Dog Is Just Being Himself
Some dogs will do everything in their power to make themselves smelly. If they have the chance, some will enjoy rolling around in another dog’s poop just to get that way. Some dogs may decide to eat their own poop, or the poop of their fellow animals. Other dogs think it’s a good idea to bring their owner a rotting animal in their mouth as a gift.
If your canine companion has one of these nasty habits, all you can really do is watch him carefully and restrict his opportunities for him to behave in this manner (and show you how much they enjoy being a dog). If he does happen to participate in these types of gross behaviors, a nice bath or a good tooth brushing should remove the offensive odor.
So, that pretty much sums up the reasons why dogs become smelly. Your dog’s odor is not something you should ignore. Each reason is its own cause that has its own solution. Partnering up with your veterinarian is the best way to make sure that your dog stays healthy, strong and smells as good as he possibly can.
Author: Saurabh Rana
All images are from our Animal's Look Facebook page fans except the last one.
