Few things are guaranteed to brighten my day more than a big furry hug with my dogs, and I’ll admit I love that clean, fresh dog smell. But if your canine friend smells far from fresh, the last thing you want is a show of affection for your pet, so what do you do when your dog (to put it politely) stinks? Bad odor can be a symptom of many different conditions, and determining the cause is key to finding a cure.
One of the simplest, and often overlooked, causes of a smelly dog is its curious nature. Has Buddy been shooting something you’d rather not think about? Maybe that dead squirrel in the garden? Or has a skunk been on the defensive? Fortunately, as smelly as they are, they are easily treated with a good bath and no medical intervention is needed. A tomato juice bath has a reputation for removing skunk odor.
Other odors can be signs of an infection. For example:
o Bad breath can indicate gum disease or tooth decay, or a more serious condition, such as diabetes or kidney problems.
o Stinky ears can be a sign of ear mites, allergies, or some other chronic infection.
o Smelly skin can be the result of a bacterial (pyoderma) or fungal (dermatitis) infection. Bacterial infections, sometimes accompanied by hair loss and pimples, are usually easily treated. Bubbles’n’Beads, a shampoo and conditioner, contains antibacterial tea tree and lavender oils to eliminate odor and replace it with something more pleasing to the nose.
o Yeast infections, on the other hand, can be caused by allergies or a reaction to steroids or antibiotics. Finding the underlying cause is an essential part of treating the infection.
Then of course there are those scents that are released from the other end of your dog.
o There is no mistaking the strong odor caused by blocked anal glands, but a vet can show you how to safely empty them.
o Flatulence can also cause problems. Some gas may be normal, but frequent emissions may be due to food allergies, in which case a change in diet will help. A little Dog Smog Remedy, a breath freshener and digestive solution added to your pet’s drinking water can help with bad breath or gas by neutralizing digestive enzymes.
Once the source of the odor has been found, you can work to get rid of it. In the case of an infection or allergy, it may take some time for treatment to work or a change in diet to take effect, but there are still steps you can take to help reduce odor in the meantime. A spray that replaces bathing or dry shampooing, Dry Dog Instant Clean offers an alternative to frequent washing, and Fur Breeze can be used to help eliminate odors or whenever your dog wants to smell a little fancy.
Sometimes just giving your dog a bath is enough. If you haven’t bathed for 3 months, you might have a bad smell too! There are many opinions about how often you should bathe your dog, but if you’re like me, I sleep with my dog, so I prefer to bathe my dogs weekly. Many people avoid it for fear of drying out their dog’s coat. But there are plenty of high-quality dog shampoos available that won’t dry out the coat, so it’s probably worth washing it out to avoid the overpowering doggy smell.
Serious dog odor shouldn’t be ignored (and most of us can’t ignore it for long), but once the underlying cause is discovered, there are many treatments and products available to ensure you’re soon enjoying pampering with your pet. again.
No Comment