Why Does Your Dog Smell?

I’m sure we’re all familiar with the “doggy smell”. Most dogs start to smell after a few days without a bath, especially with the hot weather we face in Singapore. However, before you begin cleaning your house to get rid of the dog’s smell, you may want to know why your pooch smells. Every dog has a natural smell, although it’s not really disgusting!

Natural oils

Dog’s natural health is imperative for healthy coat and fur, it also has a slight scent marker. Breeds like Labrador produces more oil than several other breeds, so this can make them more “fragrant”.

Sweat

Although dogs don’t sweat the same way as people, they sweat from their paws and hair follicles, and this does give off a different chemical smell.

Glands

There are glands in the ears and anus of a dog, which produces a very different smell. When the glands in the ear become more active, it creates a very yeasty smell.

Anal Sac Infection

The familiar symptom of this problem is when dogs scoot their butt on the living rooms carpet. Dogs do this in an attempt to calm the irritation of a pair of small pouches on the lower half of their anus. The sac creates a brown oily fluid. The best prevention of anal sac disease is to exercise and have a healthy diet. You also need to have your dog’s anal sac drained. Your veterinarian can show you how to do it yourself if you can handle it, but it is good to let your vet deal with it the first time, so she can check out any related issues.

Flatulence

This may indicate a dietary or intestinal issue or as a result of malnutrition. Some flatulence is normal, but if this happens frequently, it may be necessary to visit your veterinarian or change your dog’s diet.

Teeth or Gums Disease

Dental disease or infected gum can lead to a stinking smell. Also, a sore mouth can cause increased drooling. The stinking saliva can coat the fur and furniture. Dog’s owners need to take good care of their dog teeth by brushing their teeth or changing the diet to a more dental friendly meals. If the smell gets worse, take your dog to a veterinarian for proper check-up and treatment.

Infected ears

Bacterially Infected ears are always very smelly. A veterinarian can usually smell this even as the dog is still in the waiting room. An infected dog will typically be scratching or shaking his head, but not always. A shower may aggravate the ears if water gets trapped in the ear canal. Supporting the immune system and routinely cleaning of your dog can help forestall problems before they happen. In conclusion, whatever causes the bad smell, there is usually a solution that can be found once a little bit of detective work is carried out to discover the problem areas. The treatment can be anything from daily bathing and diet change to surgery for more serious conditions.