Getting your Dog to Smell Better

Do you have a dog that you can’t cuddle for long as they’re just a bit too stinky? It’s in a dog’s nature to sniff out distinctive smells and then roll in them, transferring the scent to their own fur. They think they smell lovely! But you, the owner, may not agree.

The quickest, most efficient way to remove smell from your dog’s fur is to wash your dog. Try to use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs as human shampoos can strip the dog’s fur of its natural oils, leaving the skin unprotected and open to rashes and infections. Dog shampoos are made to clean the dog’s fur, without stripping it of the natural oils. If your dog’s stink is especially strong bathing your dog in tomato juice is one of the quickest ways to remove the bad smell – just do a skin test first to make sure they aren’t allergic and won’t have a reaction.

If you have a dog that consistently rolls in stinky, smelly items, you may want to consider taking them to a professional pet groomer and having his coat clipped. The shorter fur will be more comfortable for the dog during the hot summer months and while the shorter hair won’t prevent your dog from rolling in the smelly items, the shorter fur will be easier for you to wash and will also dry faster.

If you have bathed you dog and still notice a strong smell whenever it is in your presence the source of the smell might not be the dog’s fur but a more serious health problem. If your dog has dental issues their breath may smell so foul that they leave a trail of icky scent wherever they go.  Strong breath smell can also indicate more serious diseases such as kidney failure and diabetes. Dogs are also prone to having anal sacs that become impacted and infected, and therefore extremely stinky. If washing your dog does not seem to take care of the smell you should take your dog to your veterinarian and have the problem officially diagnosed so that treatment, if necessary, can begin.