Causes of Bad Dog Odor
Anyone who owns a pooch can attest that they don’t always smell like a bundle of roses. Typically, our first course of action is to give “Fido” a bath. While this will solve the problem if your dog is just plain dirty, there are a multitude of other reasons as to why your dog may be emitting less than pleasant smells.
Ear Problems
If you seem to be having difficulty locating the source of a bad doggy smell, check the ears. Bacterial infections in the ear can cause a foul smelling discharge. Ear mites also promote wax secretion and an accompanying smell.
Bad Breath
While a dog will never have as fresh of breath as us, it should never be overpowering. Poor oral hygiene is typically the cause of bad dog breath, though complications within the intestinal tract can also trigger this. Keeping up with your pooches oral hygiene is important and should never be overlooked.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are a very common cause of bad dog odor. The three most commonly affected areas are the paws, ears, and anus. The smell is musty and very pungent, often similar to the smell of moldy bread or cheese.
Inflamed or Impacted Anal Glands
The anal glands reside just inside your dog’s rectum, becoming infected or otherwise negatively affected quite easily. The smell of buildup in that area is compared to that of rotting fish. Issues here should be addressed immediately, as they can easily become worsened.
No matter the source of the foul smell, your pooch will require veterinary attention to solve any health complication that may be causing it. As mentioned before, a healthy, clean dog should have no strong odors.
Ear Problems
If you seem to be having difficulty locating the source of a bad doggy smell, check the ears. Bacterial infections in the ear can cause a foul smelling discharge. Ear mites also promote wax secretion and an accompanying smell.
Bad Breath
While a dog will never have as fresh of breath as us, it should never be overpowering. Poor oral hygiene is typically the cause of bad dog breath, though complications within the intestinal tract can also trigger this. Keeping up with your pooches oral hygiene is important and should never be overlooked.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are a very common cause of bad dog odor. The three most commonly affected areas are the paws, ears, and anus. The smell is musty and very pungent, often similar to the smell of moldy bread or cheese.
Inflamed or Impacted Anal Glands
The anal glands reside just inside your dog’s rectum, becoming infected or otherwise negatively affected quite easily. The smell of buildup in that area is compared to that of rotting fish. Issues here should be addressed immediately, as they can easily become worsened.
No matter the source of the foul smell, your pooch will require veterinary attention to solve any health complication that may be causing it. As mentioned before, a healthy, clean dog should have no strong odors.