Finley Anderson
Dogs are known for their adorable, wagging tails and sweet puppy dog eyes, but unfortunately, they’re also notorious for their foul-smelling breath and bodies. While you may love your furry friend regardless of how bad they smell, it’s important to understand why your pup smells so bad and how you can help reduce the odor.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss common causes of canine malodor and offer some tips on how to make your dog smell a little more pleasant.
So, keep on reading to find out why your hound smells and what you can do about it.
Why does my dog smell?
There are a few reasons why your dog may not smell all that great. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of canine body odor:
1. Poor grooming:
If you don’t regularly brush your dog’s fur and bathe them, their coat can become matted and filled with dirt, debris, and even urine. This can lead to skin irritation and a bad odor. Imagine if you didn’t bathe yourself for a few days, or weeks. You wouldn’t be all that great to be around either.
Invest in a good shampoo and brush for your hound. Washing your dog can be a great bonding experience, but not all dogs like it. You’ll need to try a technique that works best for both of you, which could mean cleaning them in your bath, showering with them, or doing it all outdoors. Just make sure they don’t make a run for the first pile of dirt they can find after they have been cleaned. They often do this.
2. Ear infections:
If you notice your dog scratching their ears a lot or see discharge in their ear canal, they may have an ear infection. These are common in dogs and can cause a foul odor. If left untreated, ear infections can be quite painful for your pup and lead to other health problems.
3. Dental disease:
One of the most common reasons for bad doggy breath is dental disease. Plague and tartar can build up on your dog’s teeth, which leads to gum disease and tooth decay. This can not only cause bad breath but also pain and difficulty eating.
4. Anal glands:
Okay, full disclaimer. Not everyone likes to hear this one.
All dogs have two small, pea-sized glands located just inside the anus. These glands produce a foul-smelling fluid that’s used to mark territory. If the glands become full, your dog may “expression” them by dragging their butt along the ground. This can lead to an unpleasant odor that’s hard to get rid of. We offer some tips on how to tackle this one below!
5. Diet:
What goes in must come out, right?
If your dog is eating a lot of garbage, it’s going to come out the other end and make them (and your house) smell bad. Feeding your dog a high-quality diet can help reduce the flatulence they produce.
In general, you want to avoid feeding your dog table scraps, as well as foods that are high in fat and sugar. These can cause digestive issues and make the problem even worse. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet for your pup, and you’ll both be happier and healthier for it.
6. Atopy
Atopy is an allergy to something in the environment, such as pollen, dust mites, or mold. It’s a common problem in dogs and can cause symptoms like itchiness, red eyes, and runny nose. In some cases, it can also lead to skin infections and a bad odor.
If you think your dog may be allergic to something, talk to your vet. They can help you identify the allergen and develop a treatment plan.
How to get rid of dog smells in your home
There are a few things you can do to get rid of dog smells in your home. These include:
1. Bathe your dog regularly:
This is the most obvious solution, but it’s also the most effective. As we mentioned above, a good bath will remove all the dirt, debris, and odor-causing bacteria from your dog’s fur. It’s important to use a canine-specific shampoo that’s gentle on their skin.
You may need to bathe your dog more often if they have a medical condition that causes them to smell bad. If you are ever unsure, chat with your vet and they’ll be able to guide you here.
2. Clean their ears
Ear infections are a common cause of bad odor in dogs. If you suspect your pup has an infection, take them to the vet for treatment. They should very quickly be able to determine the cause and give you the necessary medication.
To keep their ears clean and reduce the risk of ear infections, you should clean them. Don’t overdo it though, as it may have the reverse effect. If you notice a smell or see your dog shaking its head more than often, it’s probably time for a good clean. Do some research online to check how often you should be cleaning your breed’s ears – they are not all the same. You can also get your local vet to give your dog’s ears a clean.
3. Brush their teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth is important for two main reasons. Firstly, it will help to remove any plaque or tartar that’s built up on their teeth. This can cause bad breath and lead to other dental problems. Secondly, it will also help to remove any food particles that may be stuck in their teeth. These can rot and cause a bad odor.
To brush your dog’s teeth, you’ll need to purchase a canine-specific toothbrush and toothpaste from your local pet store (don’t use human products here). It’s best to start slowly and get them used to the idea of having their teeth brushed. Once they’re okay with it, you can increase the frequency and duration of the sessions.
4. Check their anal glands
As we mentioned above, your dog has two small sacs located just inside their anus.
If you think your dog’s anal glands need expressing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Your vet or groomer can do this quickly and easily, and it’s not something you want to try at home.
How to keep your house from smelling like dog?
Okay, so you’ve ticked off all of the above. How do you make sure that your home doesn’t smell like dog all day long?
Try these simple tips.
1. Make sure you vacuum and clean your home regularly
This one is more for you than your dog, but it’s important nonetheless. If your home is full of dust, dirt, and other debris, it’s going to make your dog smell bad. That’s why it’s important to keep on top of the cleaning.
In general, you should vacuum and clean your floors at least once a week. If you have carpets installed, you’ll need to do it more often. The same goes for upholstered furniture – give it a good vacuum or brush it down every week or so.
2. Make sure you clean your dog’s bed often
Again, this is more for you than your dog. A clean bed will help to keep their sleeping area free from dirt, dust, and other allergens. It’s also a good way to control the spread of any skin infections.
Ideally, you should wash your dog’s bedding in hot water at least once a week.
3. Make sure you clean urine stains straight away
If your dog has an accident in the house, it’s important to clean it up straight away. Urine stains can cause permanent damage to carpets and fabrics, and they also smell bad.
To clean urine stains, you’ll need to use a special enzyme cleaner. These are designed to break down the urine so that it can be easily removed. You can purchase enzyme cleaners from most pet stores or online retailers.
4. Use air fresheners and candles
If you want your home to smell nice and fresh, you can use air fresheners and scented candles. Just be careful not to use anything that’s too strong, as it could irritate your dog’s sensitive nose.
5. Air out your home often
One of the best ways to keep your home smelling fresh is to air it out regularly. This will help to remove any stale odors that might be lingering around.
You can do this by opening the windows and doors for a few minutes each day. If it’s not too cold outside, you can also leave them open for longer periods of time.
Our favorite air purifiers for dog smells
Another great way that you can get rid of dog smells in your home is with an air purifier. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Budget option: Blueair Blue Pure 411
- Best for most people: Alen BreatheSmart 75i
- Best for large spaces: Coway Airmega 300
Frequently asked questions
- How to tell if your house smells of dog?
Sometimes we get so used to the smell in our home that we don’t even know if it smells like dog or not. If you’re not sure whether or not your house smells of dog, here are a few things to look out for.
Do people comment on the smell when they come over?
Do you find yourself smelling your dog more often than usual?
If you answered yes to either of the above, it’s likely that your house does smell of dog.
2. How often should you give your dog a bath?
This is a hotly debated topic, but in general, you should only need to give your dog a bath every few months. If they start to smell bad before then, you can always give them a quick wipe down with a wet cloth.
3. Is it okay to spray Febreze on your dog’s bed?
No, it’s not okay to spray Febreze on your dog’s bed. In fact, it’s not recommended that you use any kind of chemical cleaner on their bedding. This could irritate their skin and cause them discomfort.
You could however use Febreze on your furniture where your dog does not lie.
Final thoughts
Remember, the key to getting rid of dog smells in your home is to clean regularly and air out the space as much as possible. If you do this, you should notice a big difference in the way your home smells. Also, if you add an air purifier you’ll very quickly get rid of the dog smell in your home.
We hope you found these tips helpful. Do you have any tips on how to get rid of dog smells in your home? Let us know in the comments below.