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Dog Odor - Why Does My Dog Smell Bad?Dog odor is one thing that many of us want to get rid of but don't know how. There is an array of doggie shampoos, air fresheners, and sprays on the market to help us make a stinky dog smell nice. However, if the odor is coming from the "inside" (i.e. from within the dog), it doesn't matter how much perfume and spray we put on our dogs! The odor will not go away. However, we don't have to live with dog odor. Identifying the cause of the odor and finding remedies to eliminate the cause is the best way to deal with this problem.Dog Odor - Possible Causes
If your dog smells bad and the odor is coming from within your dog, it is an indication that she may be suffering from certain chronic disease. Care has to be
taken to find out the underlying cause and, if you are unable to do so, a trip to your veterinarian is advisable.
Here are just a few possible problems that cause dog odor:
Bad Breath (Dog Halitosis)
Very often, a dog smells bad because of his breath! Dog bad breath can be caused by indigestion, constipation, or dental problems such as gingivitis. A dog's breath
does not have to be stinky. In fact, healthy dogs usually have fresh breath. The best way to prevent dog bad breath is to feed your dog a
natural diet and of course
brush her teeth regularly. Visit our page on canine teeth cleaning to learn how
to clean and brush your dog's teeth.
Also go to our page on bad breath in dogs for information on different causes of dog bad
breath and the use of natural remedies to freshen up the doggie breath.
Ear Infections
If the dog odor comes from the head of your dog, lift up her ear flaps and check her ears. Ears infected by bacteria can cause discharge with offensive odor. It is
therefore essential to regularly check your dog's ears for mites, dirt, debris, and possible infection.
Regular ear cleaning is also important to keep those ears clean and fresh. Don't know how to clean your dog's ears? Visit
this page. Also visit
our page on dog ear infections for more information on this topic.
Flatulence
Sometimes the dog odor comes from the rear end of our pet! Yes - I am talking about "gas". Dog flatulence can be so smelly that it can knock you out. There are
hosts of reasons as to why our dogs have gas - from eating too fast to constipation to allergies. A poor diet can also cause dog flatulence. Chronic flatulence can
be a sign of parasites so if your dog has odorous gas constantly, it is advisable to take her to the vet for a check-up. Visit our page on
flatulence in dogs for more information on this dog odor problem.
Anal Gland Problems
Anal gland problems, such as impacted anal glands or anal gland abscess, are rather common in dogs. When your dog has one of these problems, you will definitely notice a
distinct, powerful odor coming from his rear end. Another indication of anal gland problem is that you will notice your dog
scooting on the floor from time to time.
If your dog's anal glands are impacted, you need to have the glands expressed - either by yourself or by a groomer or a vet. For more information on this not-so-aromatic
topic, please visit our page on dog anal glands.
Other Medical Problems
Other medical problems that can cause dog odor include yeast infections,
diabetes,
kidney failure, and cancers.
Dog Odor - External Causes
Of course, there is always the possibility that the dog odor comes from the "outside". For example, your dog might have been sprayed by a skunk, or she might have
rolled in something smelly.
If your dog has been skunked, you need to act quickly before so that the skunk spray (which is actually an oil) can be neutralized before it gets
soaked into your dog's coat. Visit our page on How to Remove Skunk Smell from Dogs for
more information.
Top
Dog Odor - Essential Oil to the Rescue
If you have a dog who likes rolling in smelly stuff, regular showers are called for to help remove the stink. You may also consider adding some
essential oils to the shampoo to help your dog smell good. Here are some suggestions:
Aroma Shampoo #1
To 8 oz of all natural shampoo, add:
To recap: When it comes to dog odor, don't just think that it is normal and that all dogs have some sort of "doggie smell". Healthy dogs do not smell bad. If you notice a strange or unusual odor coming especially from the inside of your dog, take her to a vet for a check-up. References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999). R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000). Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005). M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999). TOP of Dog Odor |
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