A smelly dog is every owner’s nightmare and can intensify if left unchecked.There can be a lot of reasons behind a dog’s smell, and it can effuse from any part of the body, including hair. The good news is it’s not so hard to ward off the foul smell.The best way to treat stinky smells is to give your dog a good bath. Even though most of our canine friends don’t like to bathe, it becomes necessary when they’re stinking. Besides that, ensure they’re groomed properly, and their bedding is washed regularly. When it comes to bathing your dog or puppy, use a high-quality dog shampoo or one recommended by a vet. Use lukewarm water and wash its entire body. Follow it up with an air-dry session and the odor should go away.You shouldn’t bathe your pooch more than once a month since it can harm a dog’s coat. Thankfully, there are many other ways to deal with foul smells.Can I spray perfume on my dog?Imagine a scenario when you’ve organized a party at your home but suddenly found your dog smells like decaying fish. Maybe you’re about to go on a road trip with your family, but your pup has rolled over something it shouldn’t have and now is in a bad state. The first resort for most owners is to try perfume or deodorant. At least temporarily, things will be under control, and you’ll buy yourself more time, but is it safe to do so? Can you spray perfume on your smelly dog?Yes, you can spray perfume on your dog as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol. Another thing to check before spraying is that there are no open wounds or cuts on the dog’s body. All perfumes and deodorizers meant for dogs are free from alcohol. When applied to your puppy’s skin, it can dry up the area and cause allergies. Hence, you should only spray those perfumes that are labeled as ‘alcohol-free’. When spraying, make sure to spray only on the dog’s coat and avoid places like the eyes, nose, and genitalia. Also, sprinkle moderately and not in excess amounts. Too much perfume can be irritating for dogs. Remember, they don’t need the good smell; it’s the humans who need it.If your dog smells, it’s wise to get to the root cause before taking action. Find out where the foul smell is actually coming from. Call in the vet if you’re unable to detect the source. In the meantime, using an alcohol-free perfume or cologne is pretty much safe.How To Make Your Dog Smell Good Without A BathDogs hate taking baths. There are some pups who absolutely love splashing, swimming, and getting wet. The majority of canine family members avoid it. Experts say that there are good reasons for a dog to say no to bath time.Some experts believe that bathing can bring back scary memories to your dog. When in the bathtub or on a slippery floor, your dog isn’t in total control. Slipping can actually be traumatizing for your pet, as can showers, buckets, or dog shampoo. The exact traumatizing object depends on the dog’s past experience. In other cases, it’s more about how they’re being handled under the shower. Some amateur owners just grab the dog too tightly or cuddle excessively while washing the dog. It can be a bad experience for these animals who don’t like to be in uncomfortable situations. So, how should you handle the situation if your dog stinks and it doesn’t want a bath?The first thing you can do is start by washing the affected area rather than going for a bath session. If it is covered with mud or any stinky substances, wipe and cleanse that area with water. Most dogs won’t resist this and will, in fact, want you to remove the stinky substance if it’s sticky as well. If the substance is stubborn, you can apply baking soda along with water. Baking soda is a common kitchen ingredient used to remove bad odors from anything. Once done, you can apply perfume.In some cases, brushing a dog’s coat may help as well. Brushing with a regular dog comb will remove dust, debris, and allergens that might have accumulated over time. When these build up in a dog’s hair and fur, it can lead to a stinky smell. Brushing will also help remove dead and damaged hair. Along with this, it distributes the natural oils that the body produces.How To Make Your Dog Smell Good Between Baths NaturallyBathing is the best way to keep your dog smelling good. However, as already mentioned, you shouldn’t bathe your dog regularly. If you wash your dog’s coat regularly, it will damage it and will dry out the skin, leading to many skin problems. Experts recommend no more than one bath per month. In between baths, you need to use other methods to keep your dog smelling good.The best way to prevent a bad smell between baths is to go for bath alternatives. If you’ve got baby wipes, you can use them to clean your pet dog. Gently wipe across your dog’s fur and body and remove the dirt. It will refresh the pooch and make him or her smell better. As opposed to bathing, you can baby wipe at a higher frequency. Dry bathing using cornstarch or baking soda is also another option. Simply massage the baking soda into your dog’s fur and brush it out. Cornstarch is better if you’re avoiding water. Bath alternatives mentioned above also help get rid of a kennel smell on dogs.Another thing to take care of is your dog’s teeth, mouth, and ears. Bad breath is common among dogs. The animals don’t brush regularly, and there’s a high chance of bacteria building up inside the mouth. Hence, their breath will smell bad. To deal with stinky breath, you can brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Dog toothpaste is specifically designed for this purpose. Regular brushing promotes better oral hygiene, improves a dog’s breath, and prevents gum disease. As far as preventing a foul smell from the ears, the best ear cleaning solution is a cotton ball dipped in baby oil. Wipe the dog’s ear canal gently along with the outside of the dog’s ears, which will clear up dirt and prevent ear infections; doing so once every two weeks will cure bad ear odor. Cleaning the mouth and ear should be part of a regular grooming routine. So, when brushing your dog’s coat and fur on a weekly basis, care for the dog’s ears and teeth too.Next, you need to improve your dog’s bedding; clean its bed, pillow, and blanket at least weekly. Dogs spend a good portion of their time sleeping on their beds. Over time, the sheets accumulate dirt, dust, and liquids. Don’t forget dogs drool a lot and can have a runny nose. If not cleaned properly, they will start to stink. As a result, your pup will smell bad too. A clean bed ensures your pet dog stays healthy and odor-free. So, wash its bed on a regular basis using water and a safe detergent. Wash, vacuum, and clean the rooms regularly too to keep your house fresh. You can also use baby shampoo for cleaning. All of these things in between bathing sessions prevent dog smell.Why does my dog smell so bad?At times, dogs smell terrible, almost like a decaying animal. The odor can be so intense that it’s hard to stay near your dog. It’s definitely a worrying sign. There can be several reasons behind a strong odor, and many require immediate medical intervention.Infections are one of the common causes for extreme bad smells in dogs. Many dog breeds are prone to skin fold dermatitis. The condition creates a warm, moist area on your dog’s skin. It is the ideal growing area for microbes that in turn, lead to a foul smell. Even worse, the bacteria can break down the skin and create an infection. If your dog is scratching, biting, or licking a particular area excessively, it might be a skin infection. Another infection that’s common among dogs is an ear infection, especially in those breeds with long, droopy ears that can trap moisture. This may lead to a bacterial infestation. If left unchecked, they will create wounds that can give off a bad odor. Dogs suffering from kidney disease and diabetes can also suffer from bad breath. A damaged kidney will fail to remove waste products from your dog’s bloodstream. They will accumulate in the lungs and result in ammonia-like bad breath. To prevent such infections and conditions, take care of your dog’s diet and feed it well. When symptoms show, visit the vet immediately and get things under control.
A smelly dog is every owner’s nightmare and can intensify if left unchecked.
