A smelly dog: 6 causes and solutions

Every dog has its own smell. Although you are probably used to this typical dog smell, you are not supposed to be able to smell a dog excessively well. With a dog that has rolled in something or has just been swimming, it is of course logical that the animal smells a little stronger, but when these foul odors do not disappear with a good wash, the stench is likely to be caused by a more serious underlying problem. Why does a dog smell and what can you do about it? In this blog, we take a closer look at the 6 most common causes of smelly dogs and tell you how to fix it.

1. Everyday smells

When it is really doggy weather outside, it is of course quite natural for a dog to come home with mud paws and a wet coat. A wet dog -because of a rainstorm or because he has been swimming, for example- is going to smell when he is not dried. This is because water evaporates from the coat due to the dog's body heat. This water vapor takes smelly waste products with it and you smell that. It can also occur that your dog has found something during his walk that he finds very nice smelling and therefore cannot resist rolling around in it. Although a cadaver or poop of another animal, for example, is the same for a dog as expensive perfume is for us humans, we are usually not so keen on these unpleasant odors.

These everyday odors (or "eau du chien," it just depends on what you call it 😉 ) can be combated by bathing and brushing a dog regularly. However, it is important to wash the dog with special, mild shampoo for dogs. Make sure not to wash the dog too often, about once a month is more than enough.

In addition, do not forget to wash your dog's pillows, blankets and plush toys regularly with perfume-free detergent. In this way, you will also ensure a clean living environment for your dog and that will certainly help keep unpleasant odors at bay.

2. Dental conditions

When nasty odors do not go away by washing the dog, there is probably another underlying problem that is causing the stench in the dog. One of these other causes is dental disease.

The number one cause of bad breath in dogs, as in humans, is the buildup of plaque and tartar on their teeth. Other dental problems include gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), periodontitis (inflammation around the teeth), a broken tooth or decayed teeth. Keeping your dog's teeth clean at home is the first step to solving these dental problems. Regularly brushing a dog's teeth with a soft toothbrush and special dog paste is a good example. Also, giving a dog a chewy snack every now and then ensures that plaque is rubbed off the teeth, thus keeping the teeth cleaner. Finally, have your dog's teeth checked regularly by a veterinarian and have the teeth cleaned when necessary.

3. Flatulence

Farting is normal and directly related to the digestibility of the food a dog eats. However, excessive flatulence is not the way to go and if you don't know how fast to get away after smelling a fart from your dog, chances are the flatulence has another cause. It is important to figure out the cause of your dog's flatulence before you can fix it. In our blog "Why does my dog fart so often?", we take a closer look at this topic as well as give you tips on how to reduce these unpleasant odors in your dog.

4. Allergies

Other common causes of smelly dogs are allergies. Environmental or food allergies can cause an inflammatory reaction in the skin which leads to excessive secretion of oil from certain glands in the skin, causing a musty and unpleasant odor.

With a food allergy, poor nutrition can contribute to this condition and can also cause other problems, such as yeast infections, which also give off a smelly odor. These are often caused by a diet high in carbohydrates and processed foods. Does your dog have a food allergy or intolerance? If so, it is important to find out which ingredient is causing this reaction. Switching to a natural and high-protein food that is free of the allergens your dog reacts to can often help.

Riverwood's dog foods are hypoallergenic and contain unique sources of protein. These are protein sources to which only a small percentage (2%) are allergic. These foods are therefore particularly suitable for many dogs with food allergies or intolerances. The full range of Riverwood hypoallergenic dog foods can be found here.

Please note that in the case of an environmental allergy (also known as atopy), switching to other foods is not helpful. This is because the reaction is caused by outside influences (such as airborne substances). In many cases, this hypersensitivity is seasonal and can be compared to hay fever, as we humans know it. Nutrition has no influence on a reaction caused by an environmental allergy and will therefore not relieve or cure the symptoms. It is therefore important to take the dog to the veterinarian if an environmental allergy is suspected. A veterinarian can draw blood from the dog and do an allergy screening so that a treatment plan can be formulated.

5. Ear infections

Allergies in pets can also manifest as ear infections. Some dogs are more susceptible to ear infections because of their external characteristics, such as dogs with long, droopy ears in which moisture traps more easily. Dogs that swim often and where their ears are not properly dried afterwards are also more likely to suffer from recurrent ear infections. A warm and moist environment in the ears is then ideal for yeast and bacteria to settle and multiply quickly. Therefore, keep folds in the skin and in the ears thoroughly clean and dry. Check your dog's ears regularly and dry them after swimming or bathing. This is because normal dirt found in a dog's ears should not have an odor, but if you see a dog shaking his head excessively, scratching his ears excessively or notice a certain stench coming from your dog's ears, it's time to visit the vet.

6. Inflamed anal glands

All dogs have two small scent sacs located on either side of the dog's anus. They are a kind of marking glands that fill with a certain substance to mark a dog's territory. This is also the reason why dogs smell at another dog's rump when they meet. When the dog has a good, firm stool, the anal glands empty by themselves. When they become clogged due to prolonged diarrhea, for example, the anal glands can become infected. Clogged anal glands release a foul-smelling secretion that easily gets stuck in the dog's coat. Clogged and thus inflamed anal glands are extremely painful for the dog. A symptom of blocked anal glands is when the dog slides his buttocks across the floor (also called sledding). Other symptoms include excessive biting, licking and scratching.

A veterinarian can manually empty the anal glands, but more important is to consult with the veterinarian to find out what is causing the inflamed anal glands.

In short, most dog odors disappear with a bath. If you notice that your dog is emitting a foul odor and you cannot remove the odor with a proper bath, there may be an underlying health problem, for example, dental disease, excessive flatulence, a food or environmental allergy, an ear infection or inflamed anal glands. When in doubt, always contact a veterinarian.

Lots of dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you like to switch to Riverwood and let your dog also feast on our delicious foods? Then answer a few questions here, find out which variety suits your dog best and order an inexpensive sample pack right away!