Why does a Dog have Doggy Odor?
Like any other animal, dogs will walk, run, and
play in areas that might result in their gathering
dirt, disease, or odor. Dogs may begin to produce
odor due to a number of factors, such as oily
skin, dirt accumulation, ear or anal infections,
and dental/plaque buildup. Not only can odor be
offensive, it can be a sign of an unhealthy retriever.
If a dog is not monitored, and the sources of
doggy odor are not removed, the dog will develop
chronic physical problems.
What to do about Doggy Odor?
When a dog begins to emit doggy odor, closely
inspect the dog from head to tail. Check the dog’s
ears for debris, red skin, and odor. If an ear
infection is present, it could be the result of
the dog’s ears not being properly ventilated.
Ear infections are common in dogs who have ears
that are floppy or folded over. If the dog’s
ears are not properly ventilated, the inside becomes
moist and warm, and infection can easily result.
Look in the dog’s mouth for plaque buildup
on the teeth, and for discolored or missing teeth.
In addition to the well-known “dog breath,”
additional odor may be coming from the dog’s
mouth as a result of food buildup and poor oral
hygiene. Check the dog’s feet; there may
be a cut or infection on the dog’s foot
pads. This type of injury should be immediately
cleaned and bandaged. Run your fingers through
the dog’s coat, and make sure you inspect
all sides of the coat. There may be a concealed
skin injury underneath the dog’s fur. Also,
check for an oily or greasy texture appearing
on the dog’s coat. The coat might be producing
dandruff or the skin may be flaky.
One of the most prominent areas for odor generation
is the dog’s backside. There could be anal
infection, a buildup of feces on the dog’s
coat, or the dog might be constipated or have
diarrhea, both of which will produce significant
odor.
As you are inspecting the dog’s body, take
detailed notes on what you see, smell, feel, and
hear. These notes will become valuable when you
take the dog to a veterinarian. Also, it will
document signs or symptoms that you might forget
to tell the veterinarian.
If your dog is exhibiting odor and is found to
have an infection or illness, take proactive measures
to protect your dog. Take action and make a dog-care
schedule for your dog.
Dogs need to be kept clean, but caution must
be taken not to give the dog too many baths. If
a dog is bathed every week, the dog’s coat
is deprived of natural oils. As a result, over-
bathing the dog can increase odor. A dog should
be bathed once a month.
Part of maintaining a clean home includes washing
animal bedding, play toys, and the dog’s
collar. After washing the dog’s bedding,
make sure that the bedding is completely dry before
allowing the dog to sleep on it. If the bedding
has been removed from the dryer or brought in
from a clothes line, vacuum the bedding with a
small hand vacuum; this will remove any debris
that was left by the dryer.
A dog should be monitored when it goes outside,
especially if your home is in a rural and/or wooded
area. The dog might be picking up odors from discarded
garbage or a dead animal carcass. Odors from rotting
food or meat are extremely pungent. Also, they
can induce vomiting if eaten. If your dog is allowed
to go into wooded areas or alleys, follow the
dog to see if he is eating carrion or miscellaneous
garbage.
When dogs have odor emitting from their teeth
or gums, it can be treated with a professional
brushing which can include removing plaque from
the dog’s mouth. Ask the vet about dog treats
that are designed to help keep teeth and gums
clean. Make teeth inspection a regular part of
your dog’s cleaning schedule.
When your dog has been playing in dirt or mud,
keep two or three old towels ready to clean the
dog’s coat. One towel can be put in water
and used to clean the dog’s coat, and the
other towel can remain dry and used to dry the
dog’s coat. Dogs enjoy physical attention
and respond well to having their coats cleaned.
Brushing the dog on a daily basis helps to reduce
smell, remove excess fur, and stimulate new hair
growth.
Finally, ask your veterinarian about changing
the dog’s diet. Dog food that contains solid
meat promotes healthy skin, teeth, gums, and stools.
High-quality food is available through a veterinarian
or at large-scale pet shops. When shopping at
a pet store, ask the store staff for recommendations.
Animal odors can result from a number of different
sources. To make sure that your dog is free of
odor, it is necessary to perform regular visual
checkups. The doggy odor will be removed when
the dog’s body is inspected thoroughly,
cleaned regularly, and taken to the veterinarian
for regular checkups.
