How to Get The Stink Out Of Your Dog

     Dogs are great companions, aren’t they?  Dog owners love to play with and cuddle with their dogs.  It’s more enjoyable if the dog doesn’t stink, right?  Here are a few ideas on why your dog might stink and tips on how to get the stink out of your dog. 

     There are several reasons your dog may have an unpleasant odor.  The most obvious is that they’ve rolled in or played with something stinky.  For some unknown reason, dogs love chewing on or playing with the carcasses of dead animals.  Some dogs think they can take on a skunk and win!  Others simply love getting into ponds, lakes, or mud puddles and rolling around just for fun.

     Bathing is the simplest way to get the stink out of your dog.  Make sure to use a shampoo specifically formulated for dogs.  Good quality dog shampoos can be purchased at your veterinarian office, a pet store, or even your local grocery store.  By bathing your dog every other week or so, you’ll keep his coat healthy, shiny, and smelling terrific. 

     You’ve probably heard that bathing in tomato juice gets rid of skunk smell, right?  It really does work!  If your dog decided to take on a skunk and lost the fight (they usually do), bathe your dog in tomato juice and then shampoo him thoroughly.  Make sure to rinse several times in between washings.

     Ear mites can cause your dog to carry an unpleasant odor.  Wax can also cause problems for dogs when it builds up and gets packed into the ear.  Make sure to clean your dog’s ears on a regular basis to avoid infection.  If you’re unsure about how to go about this process, ask your veterinarian to teach you the proper technique.

     Bad breath is a problem for humans and dogs alike.  Stinky dog breath could simply mean the dog’s teeth and gums need a good brushing.  However, if that doesn’t work, the bad breath could be an indication of more serious health issues.  Sometimes stinky dog breath indicates the presence of diabetes or a kidney condition.  If bathing your dog and brushing his teeth doesn’t remove the stinky smell, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

     Dogs need to have their anal sacs cleared on a regular basis or else they can become impacted, which leads to infection, which causes your dog to stink.  Although there are dog owners who are comfortable performing this process at home, most people prefer the veterinarian or a professional groomer to empty the dog’s anal sacs.  Before doing this for your pet, please learn the proper technique first!  You could injure your dog if you aren’t aware of how to do this correctly.

     Wash and sanitize your dog’s bedding regularly to help get the stink out of your dog.  If your dog sleeps in a crate with towels, change out and wash the towels weekly.  Dogs tend to be allergic to fabric softener, so if possible, don’t use any on the towels used in their bed.  Vacuum out the dead hair and skin cells from the crate or basket.  If your dog uses a pillow bed, remove the outer cover and wash weekly.  The cleaner your dog’s bed is kept, the better he will smell!