If your dog smells like fish, something could be amiss. Here’s what you need to know to answer the question “why does my dog smell like fish?”

Key takeaways:

• Wondering “why does my dog smell like fish?” can be concerning.

• There are several reasons a dog might radiate a fishy smell.

• Some underlying causes of a dog’s fishy odor are dangerous and some aren’t.

• Both male dogs and female dogs can suddenly smell fishy.

• Anal glands are usually the culprit when fishy smells occur.

Our pups offer benefits far beyond companionship. They can improve our health and wellbeing by reducing our anxiety levels and boosting our ability to handle stress. There is a lot to be thankful for in these unique relationships, but weird odors isn’t one of them. Having to wonder, “why does my dog smell like fish?” is definitely stressful.

Unpleasant dog smells are typical. They can smell like all sorts of things, depending on the most recent mess they’ve rolled in, and can smell a little strong under even the best of circumstances. Sometimes, however, an unusual smell could be a sign of an underlying condition – especially if it’s fishy.

If your pup recently took a trip to a fish market, he’s probably in the clear. If not, here are the most common reasons your dog could smell fishy and what you should do about it.

Fishy breath

Puppy breath is one thing and full-grown dog breath is a different story. It isn't always revolting, but it's never exactly delightful either. If your pup's breath smells fishy, there could be a few things going on. Dogs can get bad breath when:

• Food is stuck in their teeth

• They have poor oral hygiene

• They are suffering from certain diseases or other illnesses

Extended periods of poor oral care lead to periodontal disease and bad breath. Thoroughly brushing your dog's teeth with an enzymatic toothpaste three or more times per week helps keep their teeth clean and breath fresh.

Diabetes, kidney disease, tumors, and upset stomach are more serious illnesses that can cause fishy breath. These are typically accompanied by mouth pain, bleeding gums, vomiting, and weight loss. A simple oral care routine can't fix these issues. If you've been diligent with your dog's oral care, and their breath still smells like someone opened a can of tuna, you'll need to make a vet visit.

Vaginitis and pyometra

When a female dog smells like fish, vaginitis or pyometra could be at play. A change in the balance of vaginal yeast can cause vaginitis, which is an infection in the vagina. Vaginitis symptoms include smelly abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, and inflammation.

Pyometra is an infection of the uterus in female dogs that haven’t been spayed. It starts when she goes into heat and her cervix widens. Bacteria can infiltrate the uterus when the cervix is opened and cause severe infection. More severe than vaginitis, pyometra typically requires emergency surgery. However, spayed female dogs are not prone to Pyometra.

Fishy urine

Dog pee is more pungent, but it has the same basic smell as human urine. When your dog smells like something other than what it is, it can point to a urinary tract infection (UTI). Built-up bacteria in the urinary tract cause pain when urine marking/urinating, blood in the urine, and powerful odors. In most cases, it requires a course of antibiotics to resolve.

Anal glands

The most common reason dogs smell like fish is anal gland problems. Dogs have anal glands on either side of their anus. These glands, also known as dog's anal sacs, produce a distinct scent used for communication. If you’ve ever seen a dog sniff another’s butt, now you know why. Here’s what to know:

• Anal glands naturally express themselves when dogs poop, but not always.

• Soft stool or an abnormality in the glands can keep them from expressing the strong, fishy-smelling secretions.

• They eventually become impacted and must be manually expressed by a loving parent or a professional in pup care.

• Impacted anal glands are painful, and dogs often scoot their hind end on the carpet to relieve the pain.

• Small breed dogs are most affected by anal sac issues.

• Older and overweight dogs are also more prone to anal sac issues.

Anal glands can also become infected and abscessed, which causes a fishy smell. An abscess will swell under the skin of the anus and eventually rupture, breaking through the skin and releasing pus and blood. An abscess will soon follow if an infection sets in and goes untreated.

Sometimes, dog's anal sacs are just oddly shaped, making them difficult to express. Other times, they might have tumors. If a dog tumor smells rotten, it’s because tumors near the anal glands can keep them from expressing and make them appear more rigid and prominent than they are. In these cases, a vet must take a biopsy and ultrasound to determine the extent of the issue.

What to do if your dog smells like fish

Stopping the fishy smell from your pup depends on its cause. Skin infections can also be a potential cause of a fishy smell and may require treatment with topical or oral medications, dietary changes, or medicated shampoos. If it results from bad breath, stepping up your canine oral care routine is imperative. Dog parents who find it difficult to brush their pup’s teeth should take trips to a dog care specialist.

A veterinarian’s treatment is the only recourse when a female dog smells fishy from vaginitis or pyometra. Antibiotics and surgery will be necessary to resolve these issues.

You can express anal glands at home or have a dog care specialist handle it, but that may not be enough to ward off anal sac disease. A vet’s help is required when anal sac issues develop because of their shape or tumors.

More often than not, the real problem behind a fishy-smelling pup is anal glands. Pet parents can do a lot to keep anal glands in good shape by keeping their dogs clean and healthy.Dog care specialists are trained to manage anal gland issues

Dog care specialists are trained to manage anal gland issues

We're here to help you take care of your fur family. Anal gland expression and cleaning are services we provide at Scenthound, along with the basic hygiene and routine care that all dogs need. Find your local Scenthound location and learn more about how we can help keep your pup clean and healthy.