7 Reasons Dogs Smell Bad and What you Can Do About It

November 29, 2021 Guest User

There are several reasons your dog might smell worse than usual, and some of them can be life-threatening. Here’s how to tell when it could be more serious than needing a bath.

Key takeaways:

Pet parents can remedy most dog odors with a quick bath and toothbrushing
It’s important to know that some scents are byproducts of severe illnesses and diseases
Regular visits to a wellness professional can help spot the early warning signs of disease

Ask 20 dog parents what their favorite thing is about their pups, and chances are high none will say the scent of wet dogs or whatever they rolled in when out for a walk. A good bath, thorough teeth brushing, and a trip to a dog wellness professional can typically clear up any stench, though, getting your four-legged friend back to cuddly in no time.

Putting up with the occasional stink is part of dog parenthood, but if your four-legged friend can suddenly clear a room with no apparent reason, it could be a sign of more serious underlying problems.

Foul odors that linger – including bad breath, stinky feet, and gas – can signal a potential illness that requires immediate treatment. Here are some of the reasons your dog suddenly smells so bad, what you can do about it, and how to protect against it in the future.

Common reasons why dogs smell bad

Skin fold pyoderma

Dogs with skin folds are at a higher risk of developing infections if the spaces between their folds get wet and stay moist. These skin infections are called skin fold pyoderma. Dogs with pronounced vulvar, facial, or tail folds (such as bulldogs, pugs, Shar Pei, and Pekinese) are most susceptible, but any deep fold in the skin – even ones from obesity! – can lead to infection.

The warm, moist environment inside skin folds makes a perfect petri dish to grow infection. Bacteria flourishes and overgrows, causing a pungent musty odor. It can also cause painful itchiness for your pup.

Impacted anal glands

The secretions from a pup’s anal glands smell pretty horrific to humans, but they’re like secret messages written in the air to dogs. That’s why they smell each other’s butts, because doing so tells them everything they need to know about each other! Dogs use these glands to mark their territory, too, so another dog that happens to come along will know someone else has already claimed the yard.

Anal glands can make your dog smell bad if they’re impacted, though. Dogs will drag their bottoms along the carpet to relieve the itchiness and pain associated with impacted anal glands, leaving smelly secretions in their path. If your dog is scooting, it may be time to see a vet.

Gingivitis and dental issues

Built-up tartar and plaque cause tooth decay and bad breath. Just like humans, dogs can experience dental problems without proper oral hygiene. Smaller dogs are typically more susceptible to dental issues because their teeth are closer together, and they tend to eat softer food that gets stuck in the crevices between their teeth. Some breeds experience a condition called gingival hyperplasia, which causes overlapping of the gums. That means scraps of food can get stuck in the overlap and will eventually rot and emit a foul odor.

Diet and food allergies

Some dogs will eat anything, and this often causes health problems. Flatulence is a common stinky issue in dogs and is usually a result of some strange new addition to their diet found in the garbage or dirt. Food allergies can cause skin infections, called atopy, as well. The skin gets inflamed and secretes a foul-smelling oil when a dog eats something they’re allergic to.

GI tract infection

Disorders of the GI tract, such as infections and diseases, can cause excess gas production in dogs. Some of these conditions include:

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Intestinal parasites
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Pancreatitis
Tumors

Flatulence from a medical condition smells volumes worse than average gas. If you’re a dog parent, you likely know what your pup’s normal gas smells like by now so it wouldn’t be too hard to tell that something’s up.

Ear infection

A variety of yeast and bacteria can cause ear infections. A healthy dog’s ears can typically fight off infections just fine, but a hormonal imbalance or seasonal allergy can spark a rise in the amount of yeast or bacteria and a nasty odor results. Beagles, spaniels, Labradors, and Bassett hounds are typically troubled by infections because their ears are large and floppy, a perfect breeding ground for disease.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Dog urine doesn’t smell great on its own, but that smell goes from bad to worse when a urinary tract infection is part of the situation. Although typically described as fishy or garbage-y, urine affected by a UTI smells different for each dog. It might also appear cloudy or bloody.

What to do about bad dog odors

Regular baths are essential to keeping a clean-smelling pup, and fresh breath depends on routine oral care. Not all dog parents can – or want to – provide regular grooming themselves, though, so it’s important to supplement with a great dog wellness routine. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

Odors caused by infections typically require antibiotics, which is why regular veterinarian visits are so important. The earlier someone can detect a condition, the better chance antibiotics have to work.
Dog wellness visits are another key tactic in staving off foul odors. Pet parents love their fur families, but that doesn’t make us experts in doggie care. Dog wellness experts provide bathing, haircuts, ear and nail care, and toothbrushing in addition to expressing anal glands and checking for tell-tale signs of trouble.

Keeping your dog healthy and smelling clean is relatively simple. Regular bathing, teeth brushing, nail trims, ear cleanings, and wellness visits keep average bad smells away as well as help curb serious health issues’ development. It also makes it easier for you to notice when something is wrong!

Doggie wellness experts who care about your fur family

Pet parents aren’t always able to tell when a scent means something terrible, so regular wellness visits are vital in keeping your pup in perfect health. You want to take your pup to someone you can trust to care about all the little details, so choosing a full-service routine dog care provider is a must.

Scenthound is a convenient, affordable solution for routine dog care that aims to revolutionize how pet parents keep their fur family clean and healthy. Our services are centered around routine and preventive care for dogs in five core areas – skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth (SCENT).